RecallMyCar

Champion Defender Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 26 safety recalls and 0 owner complaints across 21 model years of the Champion Defender (1999–2019).

26
safety recalls, all years
0
owner complaints, all years
2008
year with most recalls

Pick your Champion Defender model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2019 Champion Defender10
2018 Champion Defender20
2017 Champion Defender20
2016 Champion Defender10
2015 Champion Defender40
2014 Champion Defender60
2013 Champion Defender50
2012 Champion Defender40
2011 Champion Defender30
2010 Champion Defender70
2009 Champion Defender90
2008 Champion Defender110
2007 Champion Defender100
2006 Champion Defender50
2005 Champion Defender40
2004 Champion Defender20
2003 Champion Defender20
2002 Champion Defender20
2001 Champion Defender30
2000 Champion Defender30
1999 Champion Defender10

All Champion Defender recalls (26)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Champion Defender, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Escape/egress/exit (structure)

    NHTSA 19V554000 Reported 362 vehicles potentially affected Champion Bus, Inc.

    Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain 2019 Challenger, Crusader, Defender and LF Transport and Goshen G-Force, Impulse and Pacer II shuttle buses equipped with Prolo roof emergency escape hatches. Due to a manufacturing issue, the roof hatch external handle may unexpectedly break under reasonable use.

    Remedy: Champion will notify owners, and dealers will replace the handle, free of charge. The recall began September 16, 2019. Owners may contact Champion customer service 1-810-724-1753, extension 415.

    Model years: 2019

  2. Seats

    NHTSA 18V798000 Reported 76 vehicles potentially affected Champion Bus, Inc.

    Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Champion Challenger, Defender, LF Transport, Goshen G-Force, and Impulse transit buses, equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats, part numbers 43705, 45467, 48923, and 75719. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat…

    Remedy: Champion will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2018. Owners may contact Champion customer service at 1-810-724-1753, extension 415 or…

    Model years: 2017, 2018

  3. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 18V573000 Reported 219 vehicles potentially affected Champion Bus, Inc.

    Champion Bus (Champion) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Champion American Coach, American Crusader, American S2, Challenger, Crusader, Defender, and Impulse vehicles, equipped with certain S-Series and K-Series Titanium Wheelchair Lifts, models K200, K201, K550, K551, S200, S2201, S550 and S551. The wheelchair lift positioning input cam…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the injection molded cam with an aluminum machined cam, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2018. Owners may contact Champion customer service 1-810-724-1753 extension 415 or Ricon…

    Model years: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

  4. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 15V757000 Reported 1,338 vehicles potentially affected Champion Bus, Inc.

    Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain model year 2006-2015 Challenger, Defender, Crusader, American, American Coach, American Crusader, Corporal, CTS-FE, CTS-RE, HC American, Platinum Shuttle, and Stacked Rail transit buses manufactured January 1, 2006, to August 25, 2015, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005,…

    Remedy: Champion will notify owners, and Ricon will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on…

    Model years: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

  5. Webbing (seat belts)

    NHTSA 15V391000 Reported 1,818 vehicles potentially affected Champion Bus, Inc.

    Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 American Crusader, American Coach, Challenger, Crusader, CTS-FE, CTS-RE, Defender, EZ Trans, HCAC, HC, DFUC, LF Transport, Premier, and Spirit transit buses manufactured March 1, 2013, to June 12, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the passenger seat belts may rub…

    Remedy: Champion will notify owners, and dealers will install a plastic sleeve over the metal seat frame, and replace any seat belts that show evidence of fraying, free of charge. The recall began on September 16, 2015. Owners…

    Model years: 2013, 2014, 2015

  6. Equipment

    NHTSA 14V821000 Reported 773 vehicles potentially affected Champion Bus, Inc.

    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…

    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…

    Model years: 2012, 2013, 2014

  7. Seats

    NHTSA 14V748000 Reported 168 vehicles potentially affected Champion Bus, Inc.

    Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 LF Transport, HCAC, Defender, Crusader, and Challenger transit buses manufactured September 2, 2014, to October 14, 2014. The spring nuts used to secure the passenger seats failed durability testing.

    Remedy: Champion will notify owners, and dealers will replace the defective seat nuts, free of charge. The recall began in December 2014. Owners may contact Champion at 1-810-724-6474.

    Model years: 2014, 2015

  8. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 14V742000 Reported 1,229 vehicles potentially affected Champion Bus, Inc.

    Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion Bus) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 American Coach, American Crusader, Challenger, Corporal, Crusader, CTS-FE, CTS-RE, Defender, HCAC, HC American, Platinum Shuttle, and Stacked Rail transit buses manufactured January 1, 2006, to July 31, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005,…

    Remedy: Champion Bus will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge.…

    Model years: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

  9. Electrical (equipment)

    NHTSA 13V422000 Reported 598 vehicles potentially affected Champion Bus, Inc.

    Champion Bus is recalling certain model year 2010 American Crusader, American Coach, CTS-FE, CTS-RE, and IC Low Floor buses; and 2009-2010 Challenger and Crusader buses; and 2009-2011 Defender and EZ Trans buses; and 2010-2011 IC High Floor buses. The buses are manufactured from August 1, 2009, through May 19, 2011, and equipped with…

    Remedy: Champion Bus will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door header and replace any defective circuit board, free of charge. The recall began on October 22, 2013. Owners may contact Champion at 1-810-724-6474.

    Model years: 2009, 2010, 2011

  10. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 12V275000 Reported 892 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Champion bus is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2011 transit buses equipped with braun century-2 and/or vista-2 wheelchair lifts. Over time and with frequent use, the roll stop latches on the outer barrier may become bent or misaligned.

    Remedy: Champion bus will notify owners, and the repairs will be performed by authorized braun dealers free of charge. The safety recall began on august 17, 2012. Owners may contact champion bus at 1-810-724-6474.

    Model years: 2008, 2009, 2010

  11. Air conditioner (equipment)

    NHTSA 11V141000 Reported 974 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Champion bus is recalling certain vehicles equipped with carrier genv em-1 evaporator units. Due to time, temperature, and/or vibration, the fuse may loosen in the fuse holder resulting in high resistance and arcing.

    Remedy: Champion bus will notify owners and provide information on how to obtain the retrofit kit from carrier along with repair instructions. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on march 8,…

    Model years: 2008, 2009, 2010

  12. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 10V129000 Reported 300 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Champion bus has notified NHTSA of a defect in certain model year 2007-2010 buses fitted with ricon public use lifts. The restraint belt on these lifts was designed to prevent the lift from moving, unless the tongue of the belt is fully engaged and latched in the buckle. Ricon has discovered, however, that it is possible for the…

    Remedy: Champion bus is working with ricon and ricon will be handling the remedy for this campaign. Please see ricon's defect report 09e-060. Ricon will provide customers with a warning decal and a dvd-based training aid. The…

    Model years: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

  13. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 10V131000 Reported 223 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Champion bus has notified NHTSA about a defect in certain model year 2008-2010 buses manufactured between september 2007 and february 2010, equipped with certain ricon s series and k series l-model wheelchair lifts, due to a problem in the software that controls the lift's "up" function. If the "up" switch is released before the floor…

    Remedy: Champion bus will notify owners and the repairs will be performed by authorized ricon dealers please see ricon's defect report 09e-061. Ricon will provide owners with a bulletin outlining proper wheelchair lift…

    Model years: 2008, 2009, 2010

  14. Air conditioner (equipment)

    NHTSA 10V127000 Reported 191 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Champion bus has notified NHTSA of a defect in certain model year 2006-2010 buses equipped with trans/air air conditioning systems installed between may 2006 and june 2009. Each trans/air system comes with an electrical kit which contains a relay board and ec pc board which if improperly installed could overheat.

    Remedy: Trans air will notify the owners and the buses will be repaired free of charge. Please also see trans/air defect report 09e-042. The safety recall began on may 19, 2010. Owners may contact trans/air warranty and…

    Model years: 2007, 2008

  15. Air conditioner (equipment)

    NHTSA 09V426000 Reported 6 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Champion bus is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 transit buses equipped with carrier k410 rooftop condensers. Inadequate overcurrent protection of one or more of the fans in the k410 condenser may cause overheating of the fan's wires.

    Remedy: Champion bus will notify owners to contact an authorized carrier dealer to obtain the remedy free of charge. Please also see carrier's defect report 09e-055. The safety recall began on november 30, 2009. Owners may…

    Model years: 2009

  16. Interior lighting

    NHTSA 09V369000 Reported 69 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Champion bus is recalling certain model year 2003 through 2010 transit buses manufactured between january 2003 and august 2009 equipped with luminator horizon LED side destination signs. The connector board can corrode due to an accumulation of moisture under the connector.

    Remedy: Champion bus will notify owners and luminator will repair the buses free of charge. Please see luminator's defect report 09e-054. The safety recall began on december 11, 2009. Owners may contact luminator at…

    Model years: 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009

  17. Service brakes, hydraulic

    NHTSA 09V313000 Reported 36 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Champion bus is recalling 36 model year 2004, 2005, and 2007 defender and model year 2005-2006 m1000 buses built between april 12, 2004 and september 18, 2006. Certain hydraulic brake lines may contact the transmission dipstick tube as the engine rocks.

    Remedy: Daimler trucks is handling the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Please see 09v-114. Daimler trucks will correct the chassis if found to be defective. This service will be performed for you free of…

    Model years: 2004, 2005, 2007

  18. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 08V490000 Reported 503 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Champion bus is recalling 503 my 2005-2007 challenger, crusader, defender, my 2005-2006 corporal, my 2006 cts-re, and my 2007 cts-fe and ic defender transit buses equipped with a ricon platform style wheelchair lift. This lift fails to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift systems…

    Remedy: Champion bus is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lift free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or champion bus at 1-800-331-5761.

    Model years: 2005, 2006, 2007

  19. Air conditioner (equipment)

    NHTSA 08V326000 Reported 68 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Champion is recalling 68 my 2007-2009 transit buses. The fasteners that are used to hold electrical connectors in place on the roof mounted air conditioner control panel may not be tightened down to the proper torque and/or there may be a possible frayed wire at the connection point.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fasteners on the electrical control board and tighten them to the proper torque value if they are found to be loose. The recall began on july 1, 2008. Owners may contact champion bus at…

    Model years: 2007, 2008

  20. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 08V225000 Reported 31 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Champion bus is recalling 31 my 2007-2008 defender, challenger and my 2008 crusader buses built on general motors 560 chassis and equipped with intermotive gateway 401 module interlock harness. These buses have been found to exhibit extreme voltage spikes during engine cranking. These extreme spikes can damage the diode in the harness…

    Remedy: Intermotive is handling the remedy for this campaign (please see 08e004). Intermotive will replace the defective harness free of charge. Owners may contact intermotive at 1-800-969-6080 or champion bus at 1-810-724-6474.

    Model years: 2007, 2008

  21. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 08V182000 Reported 503 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Champion bus is recalling 503 my 2005-2008 defender, challenger, cts-re, cts-fe and crusader buses equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These buses fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the threshold warning system may not…

    Remedy: Champion bus is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or champion bus at 1-937-596-6849.

    Model years: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

  22. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 07V061000 Reported 83 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Certain buses equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, 'platform lift systems for motor vehicles.' the inner barrier interlock switch system in the lift baseplate may not detect the presence of a passenger (either wheelchair or standee) on…

    Remedy: Champion bus is working with ricon to repair these wheelchair lifts (please see 06e101). Owners can contact ricon at 1-800-322-2884 or champion bus at 1-800-331-5761.

    Model years: 2006

  23. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 06V127000 Reported 7 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    On certain transit buses equipped with ricon s and k series platform style wheelchair lifts, the vertical support arms for the lifts were improperly welded allowing the lift to stow improperly.

    Remedy: Champion is working with ricon to remedy these buses. The two lift arms will be replaced free of charge. Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or champion at 1-810-724-6474.

    Model years: 2005

  24. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 04V521000 Reported 231 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    On certain buses equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.

    Remedy: Sure-lok is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Dealers will inspect and replace the wheelchair securement retractors as necessary. Owners should contact sure-lock at 1-908-231-1804 or…

    Model years: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

  25. Underbody shields (structure)

    NHTSA 04V519000 Reported 1,552 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    On certain transit buses, a light gauge steel was used for the floor frame crossmember located in the floor sub-frame.

    Remedy: Owners will inspect for cracks and if cracks are present owners are to contact champion for repair instructions. The recall began november 16, 2004. Owners should contact champion at 1-800-788-1976.

    Model years: 2000, 2001, 2002

  26. Retractor (seat belts)

    NHTSA 02V160006 Reported 599 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    On certain buses equipped with cp traveling retractor lap (type 1) seat belts, the plastic cover housing the reserve end of the seat belt web can break. If the two halves of the cover completely separate, the connector portion of the belt will detach from the cover. Once detached, the connector rivet can separate from the connector…

    Remedy: Amsafe will notify its customers and provide a plastic outer cover that snaps over the existing cover on units in the field and will replace broken seat belts free of charge. Owners who take their vehicles to an…

    Model years: 1999, 2000, 2001

Other Champion models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.