NHTSA Recall 14V302000: Seat belts
Champion Bus, Inc. reported this safety recall to NHTSA on , covering an estimated 25 vehicles. It affects 2014 Champion Bus Defender.
| NHTSA campaign | 14V302000 |
|---|---|
| Component | SEAT BELTS |
| Report received | May 28, 2014 |
| Owner notification | January 21, 2014 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Defect
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."
Safety 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.
Remedy
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.
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.
Vehicles covered by recall 14V302000
| Make and model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Champion Bus Defender | 2014 |
Being listed here means the campaign covers the model year, not that every car was built with the defect or is still unrepaired. Enter your VIN above to check your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free at authorised dealers. Source: NHTSA, October 2026.