2014 Champion Bus Defender Recall: Software controlling the affected transmissions may improperly raise the…
NHTSA campaign 14V303000 · Power Train · filed May 28, 2014 · verified Jul 30, 2026
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.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →The fix — what to do
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.
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.
Affected vehicles
| Make | Model | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| Champion Bus | Defender | 2014 |
Related recalls
More Champion Bus Defender recalls
All Champion Bus Defender recalls → · All Champion Bus recalls →
Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 14V303000. Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.