There have been 23 safety recalls for the Champion Defender. The most recent recalls are shown below. Table 1 and Table 2 show the historical recalls and the recall statistics by the model year of the Champion Defender.
If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting. This failure could cause the wheel chair lift platform to fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator.
| Recalled Vehicles: 2006 Champion American, 2007 Champion American, 2008 Champion American, 2009 Champion American, 2010 Champion American, 2011 Champion American, 2012 Champion American, 2013 Champion American, 2014 Champion American, 2015 Champion American, 2006 Champion American Coach, 2007 Champion American Coach, 2008 Champion American Coach, 2009 Champion American Coach, 2010 Champion American Coach, 2011 Champion American Coach, 2012 Champion American Coach, 2013 Champion American Coach, 2014 Champion American Coach, 2015 Champion American Coach, 2006 Champion American Crusader, 2007 Champion American Crusader, 2008 Champion American Crusader, 2009 Champion American Crusader, 2010 Champion American Crusader, 2011 Champion American Crusader, 2012 Champion American Crusader, 2013 Champion American Crusader, 2014 Champion American Crusader, 2015 Champion American Crusader, 2006 Champion Challenger, 2007 Champion Challenger, 2008 Champion Challenger, 2009 Champion Challenger, 2010 Champion Challenger, 2011 Champion Challenger, 2012 Champion Challenger, 2013 Champion Challenger, 2014 Champion Challenger, 2015 Champion Challenger, 2006 Champion Corporal, 2007 Champion Corporal, 2008 Champion Corporal, 2009 Champion Corporal, 2010 Champion Corporal, 2011 Champion Corporal, 2012 Champion Corporal, 2013 Champion Corporal, 2014 Champion Corporal, 2015 Champion Corporal, 2006 Champion Crusader, 2007 Champion Crusader, 2008 Champion Crusader, 2009 Champion Crusader, 2010 Champion Crusader, 2011 Champion Crusader, 2012 Champion Crusader, 2013 Champion Crusader, 2014 Champion Crusader, 2015 Champion Crusader, 2006 Champion Cts-fe, 2007 Champion Cts-fe, 2008 Champion Cts-fe, 2009 Champion Cts-fe, 2010 Champion Cts-fe, 2011 Champion Cts-fe, 2012 Champion Cts-fe, 2013 Champion Cts-fe, 2014 Champion Cts-fe, 2015 Champion Cts-fe, 2006 Champion Cts-re, 2007 Champion Cts-re, 2008 Champion Cts-re, 2009 Champion Cts-re, 2010 Champion Cts-re, 2011 Champion Cts-re, 2012 Champion Cts-re, 2013 Champion Cts-re, 2014 Champion Cts-re, 2015 Champion Cts-re, 2006 Champion Defender, 2007 Champion Defender, 2008 Champion Defender, 2009 Champion Defender, 2010 Champion Defender, 2011 Champion Defender, 2012 Champion Defender, 2013 Champion Defender, 2014 Champion Defender, 2015 Champion Defender, 2006 Champion Hc American, 2007 Champion Hc American, 2008 Champion Hc American, 2009 Champion Hc American, 2010 Champion Hc American, 2011 Champion Hc American, 2012 Champion Hc American, 2013 Champion Hc American, 2014 Champion Hc American, 2015 Champion Hc American, 2006 Champion Platinum Shuttle, 2007 Champion Platinum Shuttle, 2008 Champion Platinum Shuttle, 2009 Champion Platinum Shuttle, 2010 Champion Platinum Shuttle, 2011 Champion Platinum Shuttle, 2012 Champion Platinum Shuttle, 2013 Champion Platinum Shuttle, 2014 Champion Platinum Shuttle, 2015 Champion Platinum Shuttle, 2006 Champion Stacked Rail, 2007 Champion Stacked Rail, 2008 Champion Stacked Rail, 2009 Champion Stacked Rail, 2010 Champion Stacked Rail, 2011 Champion Stacked Rail, 2012 Champion Stacked Rail, 2013 Champion Stacked Rail, 2014 Champion Stacked Rail, 2015 Champion Stacked Rail |
| Component: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE |
| Recall Summary: 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 ... Details of this recall 🔎 |
A frayed seat belt fray may fail to properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
| Recalled Vehicles: 2013 Champion American Coach, 2014 Champion American Coach, 2015 Champion American Coach, 2013 Champion American Crusader, 2014 Champion American Crusader, 2015 Champion American Crusader, 2013 Champion Challenger, 2014 Champion Challenger, 2015 Champion Challenger, 2013 Champion Crusader, 2014 Champion Crusader, 2015 Champion Crusader, 2013 Champion Cts-fe, 2014 Champion Cts-fe, 2015 Champion Cts-fe, 2013 Champion Cts-re, 2014 Champion Cts-re, 2015 Champion Cts-re, 2013 Champion Defender, 2014 Champion Defender, 2015 Champion Defender, 2013 Champion Dfuc, 2014 Champion Dfuc, 2015 Champion Dfuc, 2013 Champion Ez-trans, 2014 Champion Ez-trans, 2015 Champion Ez-trans, 2013 Champion HC, 2014 Champion HC, 2015 Champion HC, 2013 Champion Hcac, 2014 Champion Hcac, 2015 Champion Hcac, 2013 Champion Lf Transport, 2014 Champion Lf Transport, 2015 Champion Lf Transport, 2013 Champion Premier, 2014 Champion Premier, 2015 Champion Premier, 2013 Champion Spirit, 2014 Champion Spirit, 2015 Champion Spirit |
| Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING |
| Recall Summary: 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.... Details of this recall 🔎 |
Warning triangles that do not properly reflect light may fail to warn others that a vehicle is parked, increasing the risk of a crash.
| Recalled Vehicles: 2012 Champion American Crusader, 2013 Champion American Crusader, 2014 Champion American Crusader, 2012 Champion Challenger, 2013 Champion Challenger, 2014 Champion Challenger, 2012 Champion Crusader, 2013 Champion Crusader, 2014 Champion Crusader, 2012 Champion Cts-fe, 2013 Champion Cts-fe, 2014 Champion Cts-fe, 2012 Champion Cts-re, 2013 Champion Cts-re, 2014 Champion Cts-re, 2012 Champion Defender, 2013 Champion Defender, 2014 Champion Defender, 2012 Champion Ez-street, 2013 Champion Ez-street, 2014 Champion Ez-street, 2012 Champion Hc American, 2013 Champion Hc American, 2014 Champion Hc American, 2012 Champion Hcac, 2013 Champion Hcac, 2014 Champion Hcac, 2012 Champion Lf Transport, 2013 Champion Lf Transport, 2014 Champion Lf Transport, 2012 Champion M1235, 2013 Champion M1235, 2014 Champion M1235, 2012 Champion Platinum Shuttle, 2013 Champion Platinum Shuttle, 2014 Champion Platinum Shuttle, 2012 Champion Stacked Rail, 2013 Champion Stacked Rail, 2014 Champion Stacked Rail, 2012 Federal Coach Premier, 2013 Federal Coach Premier, 2014 Federal Coach Premier, 2012 Federal Coach Spirit, 2013 Federal Coach Spirit, 2014 Federal Coach Spirit |
| Component: EQUIPMENT |
| Recall Summary: 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, ... Details of this recall 🔎 |
Spring nuts that fail to secure the seat and allow seat movement could increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a vehicle crash.
| Recalled Vehicles: 2014 Champion Challenger, 2015 Champion Challenger, 2014 Champion Crusader, 2015 Champion Crusader, 2014 Champion Defender, 2015 Champion Defender, 2014 Champion Hcac, 2015 Champion Hcac, 2014 Champion Lf Transport, 2015 Champion Lf Transport |
| Component: SEATS |
| Recall Summary: 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. ... Details of this recall 🔎 |
If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
| Recalled Vehicles: 2006 Champion American Coach, 2007 Champion American Coach, 2008 Champion American Coach, 2009 Champion American Coach, 2010 Champion American Coach, 2011 Champion American Coach, 2012 Champion American Coach, 2013 Champion American Coach, 2014 Champion American Coach, 2006 Champion American Crusader, 2007 Champion American Crusader, 2008 Champion American Crusader, 2009 Champion American Crusader, 2010 Champion American Crusader, 2011 Champion American Crusader, 2012 Champion American Crusader, 2013 Champion American Crusader, 2014 Champion American Crusader, 2006 Champion Challenger, 2007 Champion Challenger, 2008 Champion Challenger, 2009 Champion Challenger, 2010 Champion Challenger, 2011 Champion Challenger, 2012 Champion Challenger, 2013 Champion Challenger, 2014 Champion Challenger, 2006 Champion Corporal, 2007 Champion Corporal, 2008 Champion Corporal, 2009 Champion Corporal, 2010 Champion Corporal, 2011 Champion Corporal, 2012 Champion Corporal, 2013 Champion Corporal, 2014 Champion Corporal, 2006 Champion Crusader, 2007 Champion Crusader, 2008 Champion Crusader, 2009 Champion Crusader, 2010 Champion Crusader, 2011 Champion Crusader, 2012 Champion Crusader, 2013 Champion Crusader, 2014 Champion Crusader, 2006 Champion Cts-fe, 2007 Champion Cts-fe, 2008 Champion Cts-fe, 2009 Champion Cts-fe, 2010 Champion Cts-fe, 2011 Champion Cts-fe, 2012 Champion Cts-fe, 2013 Champion Cts-fe, 2014 Champion Cts-fe, 2006 Champion Cts-re, 2007 Champion Cts-re, 2008 Champion Cts-re, 2009 Champion Cts-re, 2010 Champion Cts-re, 2011 Champion Cts-re, 2012 Champion Cts-re, 2013 Champion Cts-re, 2014 Champion Cts-re, 2006 Champion Defender, 2007 Champion Defender, 2008 Champion Defender, 2009 Champion Defender, 2010 Champion Defender, 2011 Champion Defender, 2012 Champion Defender, 2013 Champion Defender, 2014 Champion Defender, 2006 Champion Hc American, 2007 Champion Hc American, 2008 Champion Hc American, 2009 Champion Hc American, 2010 Champion Hc American, 2011 Champion Hc American, 2012 Champion Hc American, 2013 Champion Hc American, 2014 Champion Hc American, 2006 Champion Hcac, 2007 Champion Hcac, 2008 Champion Hcac, 2009 Champion Hcac, 2010 Champion Hcac, 2011 Champion Hcac, 2012 Champion Hcac, 2013 Champion Hcac, 2014 Champion Hcac, 2006 Champion Platinum Shuttle, 2007 Champion Platinum Shuttle, 2008 Champion Platinum Shuttle, 2009 Champion Platinum Shuttle, 2010 Champion Platinum Shuttle, 2011 Champion Platinum Shuttle, 2012 Champion Platinum Shuttle, 2013 Champion Platinum Shuttle, 2014 Champion Platinum Shuttle, 2006 Champion Stacked Rail, 2007 Champion Stacked Rail, 2008 Champion Stacked Rail, 2009 Champion Stacked Rail, 2010 Champion Stacked Rail, 2011 Champion Stacked Rail, 2012 Champion Stacked Rail, 2013 Champion Stacked Rail, 2014 Champion Stacked Rail |
| Component: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE |
| Recall Summary: 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 ... Details of this recall 🔎 |
High resistance may cause the board to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
| Recalled Vehicles: 2010 Champion American Coach, 2010 Champion American Crusader, 2009 Champion Challenger, 2010 Champion Challenger, 2009 Champion Crusader, 2010 Champion Crusader, 2010 Champion CTS, 2010 Champion Cts-fe, 2010 Champion Cts-re, 2009 Champion Defender, 2010 Champion Defender, 2011 Champion Defender, 2009 Champion Ez-trans, 2010 Champion Ez-trans, 2011 Champion Ez-trans, 2010 Champion Ic High Floor, 2011 Champion Ic High Floor, 2010 Champion Ic Low Floor |
| Component: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL |
| Recall Summary: 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.... Details of this recall 🔎 |
A wheelchair occupant may defeat or ride over the insufficiently latched roll stop. If this occurs when the lift platform is in an elevated position, the wheelchair�s occupant could fall and sustain injury.
| Recalled Vehicles: 2008 Champion American Coach, 2009 Champion American Coach, 2010 Champion American Coach, 2011 Champion American Coach, 2007 Champion American Crusader, 2008 Champion American Crusader, 2009 Champion American Crusader, 2008 Champion Challenger, 2009 Champion Challenger, 2010 Champion Challenger, 2008 Champion Crusader, 2009 Champion Crusader, 2010 Champion Crusader, 2009 Champion Ctste, 2010 Champion Ctste, 2008 Champion Defender, 2009 Champion Defender, 2010 Champion Defender, 2010 Champion Terrastar |
| Component: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE |
| Recall Summary: 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. ... Details of this recall 🔎 |
If sufficient arcing occurs, the fuse holder may melt, and may be accompanied by flame, smoke and potential fire.
| Recalled Vehicles: 2009 Champion American Coach, 2010 Champion American Crusader, 2007 Champion Challenger, 2008 Champion Challenger, 2009 Champion Challenger, 2010 Champion Challenger, 2011 Champion Challenger, 2008 Champion Crusader, 2009 Champion Crusader, 2010 Champion Crusader, 2011 Champion Crusader, 2008 Champion CTS, 2009 Champion CTS, 2008 Champion Defender, 2009 Champion Defender, 2010 Champion Defender, 2010 Champion Ez-trans, 2011 Champion Bus Defender |
| Component: EQUIPMENT:AIR CONDITIONER |
| Recall Summary: 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. ... Details of this recall 🔎 |
When the platform overruns the vehicle floor level and stops at an angle from 15-20 degrees, it is possible for a person in a wheelchair to tip over and for someone standing on the platform to fall, possibly resulting in injuries.
| Recalled Vehicles: 2009 Champion Challenger, 2010 Champion Challenger, 2008 Champion Crusader, 2009 Champion Crusader, 2010 Champion Crusader, 2010 Champion Cts Re, 2008 Champion Defender, 2009 Champion Defender, 2010 Champion Defender |
| Component: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE |
| Recall Summary: 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.... Details of this recall 🔎 |
The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move without the restraint belt properly buckled.
| Recalled Vehicles: 2008 Champion Abc 3035re, 2009 Champion Abc 3035re, 2008 Champion Abc M-1235, 2009 Champion Abc M-1235, 2010 Champion Abc M-1235, 2007 Champion Challenger, 2008 Champion Challenger, 2009 Champion Challenger, 2010 Champion Challenger, 2008 Champion Crusader, 2009 Champion Crusader, 2010 Champion Cts Re, 2007 Champion Defender, 2008 Champion Defender, 2009 Champion Defender, 2010 Champion Defender |
| Component: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE |
| Recall Summary: 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.... Details of this recall 🔎 |
| Date | Component | Vehicle Affected |
|---|---|---|
| Nov. 16, 2015 | Adaptive Equipment | 1,338 |
| Jun. 19, 2015 | Seat Belts:front:webbing | 1,818 |
| Dec. 29, 2014 | Equipment | 773 |
| Nov. 24, 2014 | Seats | 168 |
| Nov. 19, 2014 | Adaptive Equipment | 1,229 |
| Sep. 12, 2013 | Equipment:electrical | 598 |
| May. 17, 2012 | Adaptive Equipment | 892 |
| Mar. 1, 2011 | Equipment:air Conditioner | 974 |
| Apr. 2, 2010 | Adaptive Equipment | 300 |
| Apr. 2, 2010 | Adaptive Equipment | 223 |
| Mar. 31, 2010 | Equipment:air Conditioner | 191 |
| Oct. 29, 2009 | Equipment:air Conditioner | 6 |
| Sep. 24, 2009 | Interior Lighting | 69 |
| Jul. 30, 2009 | Service Brakes | 36 |
| Sep. 25, 2008 | Adaptive Equipment | 503 |
| Jul. 17, 2008 | Equipment:air Conditioner | 68 |
| May. 19, 2008 | Adaptive Equipment | 31 |
| Apr. 24, 2008 | Adaptive Equipment | 503 |
| Feb. 21, 2007 | Adaptive Equipment | 83 |
| Apr. 24, 2006 | Adaptive Equipment | 7 |
| Nov. 2, 2004 | Adaptive Equipment | 231 |
| Oct. 28, 2004 | Structure: Frame And Members:underbody Shields | 1,552 |
| Oct. 29, 2002 | Seat Belts:front:retractor | 599 |
| Model | # Recalls |
|---|---|
| 2015 Champion Defender | 3 |
| 2014 Champion Defender | 5 |
| 2013 Champion Defender | 4 |
| 2012 Champion Defender | 3 |
| 2011 Champion Defender | 3 |
| 2010 Champion Defender | 7 |
| 2009 Champion Defender | 9 |
| 2008 Champion Defender | 11 |
| 2007 Champion Defender | 10 |
| 2006 Champion Defender | 5 |
| 2005 Champion Defender | 4 |
| 2004 Champion Defender | 2 |
| 2003 Champion Defender | 2 |
| 2002 Champion Defender | 2 |
| 2001 Champion Defender | 3 |
| 2000 Champion Defender | 3 |
| 1999 Champion Defender | 1 |