Recall Register

2009 Champion Defender: recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2009 Champion Defender. The newest campaign is 15V757000. NHTSA received the report on 16 Nov 2015. The NHTSA record gives the component Equipment Adaptive/Mobility. NHTSA has no complaint on file for this model year.

The NHTSA recall file shows no do-not-drive advisory and no park-outside advisory on these campaigns.

This page cannot show if a recall applies to one vehicle. The NHTSA VIN lookup shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle.

Remedy of the newest campaign, 15V757000, 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.
NHTSA VIN lookup

Complaint information entered into NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation vehicle owner's complaint database is used with other data sources to identify safety issues that warrant investigation and to determine if a safety-related defect trend exists.

NHTSA publishes these words. Source: NHTSA Datasets and APIs, section Complaints, read on . Complaint file through . Recall file through .

Since the last update

No tracked figure of this page changed in a data update. What the log tracks

All updates to the register

Recall campaigns

9 campaigns, newest first. 5,629 units in total.

  • 15V757000Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
  • 14V742000Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
  • 13V422000Equipment / Electrical
  • 12V275000Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
  • 11V141000Equipment / Appliance / Air Conditioner
  • 10V131000Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
  • 10V129000Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
  • 09V426000Equipment / Appliance / Air Conditioner
  • 09V369000Interior Lighting

  1. 15V757000Received . 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: .

  2. 14V742000Received . 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: .

  3. 13V422000Received . 598 units.

    Equipment / Electrical

    Defect, in the NHTSA record
    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 A&M Systems door headers containing model 3230 circuit boards. Voltage spikes may damage electrical components and electrical circuits, causing the circuit board to develop high resistance.
    Consequence, in the NHTSA record
    High resistance may cause the board to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
    Remedy, in the NHTSA record
    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.

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

  4. 12V275000Received . 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: .

  5. 11V141000Received . 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: .

  6. 10V131000Received . 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: .

  7. 10V129000Received . 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: .

  8. 09V426000Received . 6 units.

    Equipment / Appliance / Air Conditioner

    Defect, in the NHTSA record
    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.
    Consequence, in the NHTSA record
    Overheating of the condenser unit wires could result in a fire causing property damage, personal injury or death.
    Remedy, in the NHTSA record
    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 contact carrier at 1-800-673-2431 or champion bus at 1-810-724-6474.

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

  9. 09V369000Received . 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: .

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.

Complaints by component

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

Investigations

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.

Other model years

The number under each year is the number of recall campaigns.

  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.

Official channels

Cite this page

Recall Register. 2009 Champion Defender: recalls and complaints. https://recallregister.com/vehicle/champion/defender/2009/. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall, complaint and investigation files. Data through .

Sources

Source
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Licence
US government work, public domain
Recall file through
29 Sep 2026
Complaint file through
15 May 2019
First complaint in the file
1 Jan 1995
Manufacturer in the recall file
Champion Bus, Inc.

The NHTSA record is the authority. A complaint count is the number of different complaint numbers for the make, the model and the model year. How the register is made. Report an error.

Questions

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 2009 Champion Defender?
5,629 units in 9 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. 9 of them name the 2009 model year.
Is an NHTSA investigation of the 2009 Champion Defender open?
The NHTSA investigation file has no investigation that names this model year.