2006 CHAMPION CHALLENGER
9 recalls — 0 complaints — 1 TSBs
15V757000 Nov 16, 2015
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Defect Description
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... Read more
Consequence
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.
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 December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Champion customer service at 1-810-724-... Read more
14V742000 Nov 19, 2014
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Defect Description
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 c... Read more
Consequence
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.
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. The recall began in November 2014. Owners may contact Champion Bus customer ser... Read more
12V593000 Dec 18, 2012
EQUIPMENT
Defect Description
Champion Bus is recalling certain model year 2006, and certain model year 2008-2013 buses, models: American Crusader, Challenger, Crusader, and Defender; manufactured September 30, 2006, through November 16, 2012. The buses are equipped with a Ricon manufactured wheelchair lift which has an optional... Read more
Consequence
The cable may contact the power lug at the base of the wheel chair lift causing a short circuit that could result in a fire.
Remedy
Champion Bus is working with Ricon to notify owners. Ricon will provide a supplemental cover kit with instructions, free of charge. Owners may contact Champion Bus at 1-819-724-6474 or Ricon at 1-818-267-3000.
10V593000 Nov 18, 2010
EQUIPMENT
Defect Description
CHAMPION BUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN BUSES EQUIPPED WITH TRANS AIR TA 73 EVAPORATORS. THE EVAPORATOR UTILIZES A POWER RESISTOR TO REGULATE BLOWER SPEED. SHOULD A SHORT OCCUR IN THE "LOW OR MEDIUM SPEED" CIRCUIT WHILE THE BLOWER IS IN HIGH SPEED, THE SHORT WILL CAUSE THE SUPPLY VOLTAGE TO FEEDBACK THRO... Read more
Consequence
THIS WOULD CAUSE THE RESISTOR TEMPERATURE TO RISE TO A POINT WHERE IT WILL MELT AND POSSIBLY IGNITE THE PLASTIC BLOWER HOUSING TO WHICH IT IS MOUNTED. THE OVERHEATING CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
CHAMPION BUS IN COOPERATION WITH TRANS AIR WILL INSTALL A THERMAL SHUTDOWN DEVICE IN SERIES WITH THE SPEED RESISTORS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRANS AIR WARRANTY AND SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-673-2446.
09V369000 Sep 24, 2009
INTERIOR LIGHTING
Defect Description
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.
Consequence
A SHORT COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY CAUSING SMOKE AND FIRE.
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 1-972-516-3033 OR CHAMPION BUS AT 1-800-331-5761.
08V490000 Sep 25, 2008
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Defect Description
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 ST... Read more
Consequence
A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.
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.
08V182000 Apr 24, 2008
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Defect Description
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."... Read more
Consequence
THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.
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.
07V061000 Feb 21, 2007
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Defect Description
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 PASSE... Read more
Consequence
IN THE EVENT THIS CONDITION OCCURS DURING PASSENGER OPERATIONS, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR THE WHEELCHAIR TO TIP BACKWARDS ONTO THE PLATFORM IF THE USER IS BACKING ONTO THE LIFT FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND HAS THE SMALL FRONT WHEELS FULLY OR PARTIALLY ON THE INNER BARRIER WHEN THE PLATFORM WAS LOWERED. ... Read more
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.
06V362000 Sep 20, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Defect Description
ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH GM 8.1L V8 ENGINES, IMPROPER HARDENING DURING THE HEAT TREATMENT PROCESS CAN CAUSE THE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP TO FRACTURE, RESULTING IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE DAMPER. IF THE DAMPER BECOMES LOOSE, FUEL COULD BE ... Read more
Consequence
IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Remedy
CHEVROLET AND WORKHORSE ARE HANDLING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 06V225 AND 06V289). DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIPS ON THESE ENGINES FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, WORKHORSE AT 877-294-6773 OR THO... Read more
No complaints found for this vehicle.
Technical Service Bulletins — 2006 CHAMPION CHALLENGER
1 manufacturer communications from 1 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 220000 SEATS | 1 |
2018-002
Dec 28, 2018
220000 SEATS
The mounting bolt to install the Freedman driver?s seat to the Ford OEM seat track may not have been sufficiently tightened during installation.
NHTSA Safety Investigations — CHAMPION CHALLENGER
Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.
PE03046
Opened: Oct 14, 2003 — Closed: Dec 1, 2003
LATERAL CROSSMEMBERS CRACKING
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY A BUS FLEET WHICH WAS EXPERIENCING FLOOR SAGGING DUE TO THE LATERAL CROSSMEMBERS CRACKING ON SIX OF THEIR BUSES.THE CRACKING OCCURED AS A RESULT OF UNDERSIZED GAUGE STEEL BEING USED ON THE THE FLOOR FRAME CROSSMEMBERS.CRACKS OF THIS NATURE COUL... Read more
CHAMPION CHALLENGER — All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the CHAMPION CHALLENGER across all model years (1997–2024).
108
Total Recalls
3
Total Complaints
1
Investigations
2
Reported Crashes
0
Reported Fires
0
Reported Deaths
CHAMPION CHALLENGER — Year by Year
Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 | View |
| 2017 | 2 | 0 | View |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 | View |
| 2015 | 4 | 0 | View |
| 2014 | 6 | 2 | View |
| 2013 | 7 | 0 | View |
| 2012 | 5 | 1 | View |
| 2011 | 4 | 0 | View |
| 2010 | 8 | 0 | View |
| 2009 | 11 | 0 | View |
| 2008 | 10 | 0 | View |
| 2007 | 9 | 0 | View |
| 2006 (current) | 9 | 0 | |
| 2005 | 8 | 0 | View |
| 2004 | 3 | 0 | View |
| 2003 | 2 | 0 | View |
| 2002 | 3 | 0 | View |
| 2001 | 3 | 0 | View |
| 2000 | 3 | 0 | View |
| 1999 | 2 | 0 | View |
| 1998 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1997 | 1 | 0 | View |