Recall 10V647000

STEERING:COLUMN

Report Date

20101221

Component

STEERING:COLUMN

Affected Vehicles

2 models

Defect Description

CHAMPION BUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES BUILT ON FREIGHTLINER S2 CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH TRW IGEN3 INTERMEDIATE STEERING COLUMNS. THE WELD AROUND THE IGEN3 STEERING SHAFT TUBE THAT SECURES THE SPLINE TUBE TO THE INTERMEDIATE TUBE MAY BE MISLOCATED (I.E., NOT FULLY OVER THE SEAM CREATED WHEN THE TUBES ARE PRESSED TOGETHER.)

Safety Consequence

MISLOCATED WELDS MAY RESULT IN TORSIONAL AND AXIAL STRENGTH FALLING BELOW ACCEPTABLE LEVELS. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE STEERING COLUMN, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DAIMLER TRUCKS/FREIGHTLINER WILL HANDLE THE REMEDY AND QUARTERLY REPORTS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. PLEASE SEE FREIGHTLINER'S DEFECT REPORT (10V-322). FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE BUSES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS/FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Affected Vehicles

Year	Make	Model
2010	GENERAL COACH	ABC - M1235
2011	GENERAL COACH	ABC - M1235

Check your vehicle: Visit NHTSA.gov and enter your VIN to see if your specific vehicle is affected.