2008 CHAMPION CHALLENGER
10 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.
12V275000 May 17, 2012
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Defect Description
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.
Consequence
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 WHEELCHAIRS OCCUPANT COULD FALL AND SUSTAIN INJURY.
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.
11V141000 Mar 1, 2011
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
Defect Description
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.
Consequence
IF SUFFICIENT ARCING OCCURS, THE FUSE HOLDER MAY MELT, AND MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY FLAME, SMOKE AND POTENTIAL FIRE.
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, 2011. OWNER MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-800-793-4741 OR CHAMPION BUS AT 1-810-724... Read more
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.
10V129000 Apr 2, 2010
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Defect Description
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, HOW... Read more
Consequence
THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE WITHOUT THE RESTRAINT BELT PROPERLY BUCKLED.
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 SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON CUSTOMER SERVICE ... Read more
10V127000 Mar 31, 2010
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
Defect Description
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 ... Read more
Consequence
AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE IN THE RELAY BOARD, CAN CAUSE OVERHEATING AND POSE A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD.
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 SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-673- 2446.
08V225000 May 19, 2008
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Defect Description
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 SPI... Read more
Consequence
IF THIS OCCURS, THE SHIFT LOCK SOLENOID MAY NOT ENGAGE. IF THIS LOCK DOES NOT ENGAGE, THE VEHICLE WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO MOVE WHILE THE WHEELCHAIR LIFT IS DEPLOYED WHICH MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.
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.
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.
No complaints found for this vehicle.
Technical Service Bulletins — 2008 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 (current) | 10 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 9 | 0 | View |
| 2006 | 9 | 0 | View |
| 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 |