Champion Bus Defender recalls
Every NHTSA recall campaign filed since 2000 that names the Champion Bus Defender, newest first. Last verified Jul 30, 2026.
Units are totals reported across campaigns mentioning this model — NHTSA does not always break unit counts down by model.
Affected components
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →All campaigns
- May 28, 2014Crash risk2014 Champion Bus Defender — Seat Belts
Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain model year 2014 Defender shuttle buses built on Freightliner M2 chassis equipped with IMMI-brand L9 seat belt buckles. When the button is pressed to release the seat belt, the latch plate can become partially engaged with the buckle, making the seat belt difficult to unlatch. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
14V302000 · 25 units · Champion Bus, Inc.
- May 28, 2014Crash risk2014 Champion Bus Defender — Power Train
Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain model year 2014 Defender shuttle buses built on Freightliner M2 chassis, equipped with Eaton-brand hybrid automated transmissions. The software controlling the affected transmissions may improperly raise the vehicle's engine speed during downshifts without the driver's input.
14V303000 · 2 units · Champion Bus, Inc.
- Dec 18, 2012Fire risk2009–2013 Champion Bus Defender, 2009 Champion American Crusader, 2006–2013 Champion Challenger and 1 other model — Equipment
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 armored pendant cable. The cable may have been installed such that it doesn't clear the wheelchair lift and without a protective cover, or a misinstalled protective cover.
12V593000 · 73 units · Champion Bus, Inc.
- Mar 1, 2011Fire risk2011 Champion Bus Defender, 2009 Champion American Coach, 2010 Champion American Crusader and 5 other models — Equipment
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.
11V141000 · 974 units · CHAMPION BUS, INC.