2014 Champion Bus Defender recall: seat belt
⚠️ What's wrong
Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain model year 2014 Defender shuttle buses built on Freightliner M2 chassis equipped with IMMI-brand L9 seat belt buckles. When the button is pressed to release the seat belt, the latch plate can become partially engaged with the buckle, making the seat belt difficult to unlatch. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
💥 The risk
If the latch plate remains partially engaged after the button is pressed, egress from the vehicle could be hindered which would increase the risk of injury in the event of an emergency.
🔧 The fix
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA), manufacturer of the Freightliner chassis, has notified owners, and DTNA dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt buckle, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 27, 2014. Owners may contact Champion Bus at 1-810-724-6474 or DTNA at 1-800-385-4357.
- NHTSA campaign
- 14V302000
- Manufacturer
- Champion Bus, Inc.
- Vehicles affected
- 25
- Component
- SEAT BELTS
- Owner phone
- 1-810-724-6474
- NHTSA hotline
- 1-888-327-4236
- Owner letters mailed
- Jan 21, 2014
- Recall started by
- MFR
- Notes
- Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.