VehicleVerdict

2012 Champion M1235 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 2012 Champion M1235 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other M1235 years?

M1235 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted1 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 0 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 0 complaints2014: 0 complaints
M1235 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all M1235 years to avoid →

Does the 2012 Champion M1235 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V821000OtherDecember 29, 2014 · 773 units

Defect

Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 American Crusader, Challenger, Crusader, CTS-FE, CTS-RE, Defender, EZ-Street, HC American, HCAC, LF Transport, M1235, Platinum Shuttle, Stacked Rail, and Federal Coach Premier, and Spirit transit buses manufactured January 1, 2012, to October 1, 2014, equipped with certain triangle warning signs manufactured by Imperial Supplies, LLC. Test reports indicate that the triangle warning signs, labeled C&J, may reflect an inadequate amount of light. As such, these triangle warning kits fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 125, "Warning devices."

Consequence

Warning triangles that do not properly reflect light may fail to warn others that a vehicle is parked, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Champion will notify owners to inspect their triangles for production dates between April 2011, to April 2014, and the affected triangles will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2015. Owners may contact Champion customer service at 1-810-724-6474.

12V039000LightingFebruary 3, 2012 · 20 units

Defect

CHAMPION BUS (CHAMPION) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 ABC-M1235 TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 21, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 18, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH A FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS. INACURATE FAULT DETECTION VALUES IN THE BULKHEAD MOUDLE SOFTWARE MAY CAUSE THE SIDE MARKER/DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS TO STOP FUNCTIONING AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF VEHICLE OPERATION. LIGHTS WILL RESUME OPERATION AFTER THE VEHICLE IS SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED.

Consequence

FAILURE OF THE SIDE MARKER/DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WILL RESULT IN DECREASED VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE AND/OR MISINFORM OTHER DRIVERS AS TO THE INTENDED DIRECTION OF TRAVEL, EITHER OF WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY THE OWNERS AND PERFORM REPAIRS AT ITS AUTHORIZED FACILITIES, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 2, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHAMPION AT 1-810-724-6474.

12V040000LightingFebruary 3, 2012 · 30 units

Defect

CHAMPION BUS (CHAMPION) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 ABC-M1235 TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 9, 2011, TO NOVEMBER 18, 2011, BUILT ON A FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS. THE GRID HEATER GROUND WIRE MAY CONTACT THE RELAY POWER TERMINAL AND RUB AND CHAFE, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence

AN ELECTRICAL FAULT OR SHORT CIRCUIT COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY THE OWNERS, AND INSPECT THE BUSES AND CORRECTLY ROUTE THE GROUND WIRE AS NECESSARY THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY FREIGHTLINER AUTHORIZED FACILITIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 2, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHAMPION AT 1-810-724-6474.

2012 Champion M1235 — common questions

Is the 2012 Champion M1235 reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2012 Champion M1235 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Champion M1235. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.