2008 Champion Defender: recalls and complaints

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• 15V75700016 Nov 2015Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
• 14V74200019 Nov 2014Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
• 12V27500017 May 2012Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
• 11V1410001 Mar 2011Equipment / Appliance / Air Conditioner
• 10V1310002 Apr 2010Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
• 10V1290002 Apr 2010Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
• 10V12700031 Mar 2010Equipment / Appliance / Air Conditioner
• 09V36900024 Sep 2009Interior Lighting
• 08V32600017 Jul 2008Equipment / Appliance / Air Conditioner
• 08V22500019 May 2008Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
• 08V18200024 Apr 2008Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

1. 15V757000Received 16 Nov 2015. 1,338 units.

   Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   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, in the NHTSA record

   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 1-810-724-1753 extension 415, or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Champion's number for this recall is 15E-068. Note: These buses and wheelchair lifts were subject to a similar recall in 2014. All vehicles that received that recall remedy are still affected by this recall as well.

   Report filed by Champion Bus, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number 15E-068. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 21 Dec 2015.

2. 14V742000Received 19 Nov 2014. 1,229 units.

   Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   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, in the NHTSA record

   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 service at 1-810-724-6474. Owners may contact Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884.

   Report filed by Champion Bus, Inc.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 28 Nov 2014.

3. 12V275000Received 17 May 2012. 892 units.

   Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Report filed by CHAMPION BUS, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 17 Aug 2012.

4. 11V141000Received 1 Mar 2011. 974 units.

   Equipment / Appliance / Air Conditioner

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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, in the NHTSA record

   If sufficient arcing occurs, the fuse holder may melt, and may be accompanied by flame, smoke and potential fire.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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 1-810-724-6474.

   Report filed by CHAMPION BUS, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 8 Mar 2011.

5. 10V131000Received 2 Apr 2010. 223 units.

   Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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 level limit switch is activated, the lift may continue its upward travel for approximately 1 second before stopping. The continued upward travel may overrun the floor level cut off point.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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 operation and will ship owners a dvd-based training aid to promote proper lift operation. The safety recall is expected to begin during may 2010. Owners may contact ricon customer service at 800- 322-2884, emailing at www.dmata@wabtec.com.

   Report filed by CHAMPION BUS, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 10 May 2010.

6. 10V129000Received 2 Apr 2010. 300 units.

   Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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 operator to insert the belt tongue into the buckle without fully engaging the latching mechanism. In this case, the restraint belt would appear to be latched, and the operator could run the lift. If the restraint belt tongue is not fully engaged into the restraint belt buckle, and latched, the lift may operate with an occupant on the platform.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move without the restraint belt properly buckled.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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 at 800-322-2884, emailing at www.dmata@wabtec.com.

   Report filed by CHAMPION BUS, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 4 May 2010.

7. 10V127000Received 31 Mar 2010. 191 units.

   Equipment / Appliance / Air Conditioner

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   An electrical failure in the relay board, can cause overheating and pose a serious fire hazard.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Report filed by CHAMPION BUS, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 19 May 2010.

8. 09V369000Received 24 Sep 2009. 69 units.

   Interior Lighting

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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, in the NHTSA record

   A short could occur, possibly causing smoke and fire.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Report filed by CHAMPION BUS, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 11 Dec 2009.

9. 08V326000Received 17 Jul 2008. 68 units.

   Equipment / Appliance / Air Conditioner

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   If these connections are loose, it could result in overheating and cause a fire.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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 1-810-724-1735.

   Report filed by CHAMPION BUS, INC..

10. 08V225000Received 19 May 2008. 31 units.

    Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    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 near the shift lock solenoid connector. If the diode fails in the shorted condition, the gateway 401 module can be damaged.

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

    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, in the NHTSA record

    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.

    Report filed by CHAMPION BUS, INC..

11. 08V182000Received 24 Apr 2008. 503 units.

    Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    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 detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

    The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.

    Remedy, in the NHTSA record

    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.

    Report filed by CHAMPION BUS, INC..

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

The NHTSA complaint file has no complaint for this model year.

The NHTSA investigation file has no investigation that names this model year.

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

1. 19991
2. 20003
3. 20013
4. 20022
5. 20032
6. 20042
7. 20054
8. 20065
9. 200710
10. 200811
11. 20099
12. 20107
13. 20113
14. 20124
15. 20135
16. 20146
17. 20154
18. 20161
19. 20172
20. 20182
21. 20191

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

• Champion Defender: all model years
• Champion: 23 model lines

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• NHTSA page of the 2008 Champion DefenderThe recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 2008 Champion Defender?

5,818 units in 11 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.

How many recall campaigns does the Champion Defender have for all model years?

NHTSA lists 26 recall campaigns for the Champion Defender, model years 1999 to 2019. 11 of them name the 2008 model year.

Is an NHTSA investigation of the 2008 Champion Defender open?

The NHTSA investigation file has no investigation that names this model year.