The defect
Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain model year 2014 Defender shuttle buses built on Freightliner M2 chassis, equipped with Eaton-brand hybrid automated transmissions. The software controlling the affected transmissions may improperly raise the vehicle's engine speed during downshifts without the driver's input.
The risk
The increase in engine speed may result in unintended acceleration, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA), manufacturer of the Freightliner chassis, has notified owners, and Eaton authorized service facilities has updated the Hybrid Control Module Software version, free of charge. The recall began in May 2014. Owners may contact Champion Bus at 1-810-724-6474. Customers may also contact Eaton at 1-800-386-1911.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Champion Bus Defender | 2014 |
Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champion Bus Defender | 2014 | 0 | 2 |
Other power train recalls in 2014
49 of the 770 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2014 concerned the power train; Champion Bus, Inc. filed 16 campaigns in all.
| 14V819000 24 Dec 2014 | General Motors LLC |
| 14V811000 22 Dec 2014 | Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. |
| 14V803000 19 Dec 2014 | Nissan North America, Inc. |
| 14V796000 16 Dec 2014 | Chrysler Group LLC |
| 14V789000 15 Dec 2014 | BMW of North America, LLC |
| 14V784000 9 Dec 2014 | Hyundai Motor America |
| 14V779000 8 Dec 2014 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) |
| 14V739000 18 Nov 2014 | Volvo Trucks North America |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2014