Champion Crusader recalls
Every NHTSA recall campaign filed since 2000 that names the Champion Crusader, 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
Recalls by model year
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
- Jul 25, 2019Crash risk2019 Champion Challenger, 2019 Champion Crusader, 2019 Champion Defender and 4 other models — Structure
Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain 2019 Challenger, Crusader, Defender and LF Transport and Goshen G-Force, Impulse and Pacer II shuttle buses equipped with Prolo roof emergency escape hatches. Due to a manufacturing issue, the roof hatch external handle may unexpectedly break under reasonable use.
19V554000 · 362 units · Champion Bus, Inc.
- Aug 30, 2018Crash risk2012–2018 Champion American Coach, 2012–2018 Champion American Crusader, 2012–2018 Champion American S2 and 4 other models — Equipment Adaptive/mobility
Champion Bus (Champion) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Champion American Coach, American Crusader, American S2, Challenger, Crusader, Defender, and Impulse vehicles, equipped with certain S-Series and K-Series Titanium Wheelchair Lifts, models K200, K201, K550, K551, S200, S2201, S550 and S551. The wheelchair lift positioning input cam may fail while the lift is in use, allowing the platform to travel higher than the vehicle's floor height.
18V573000 · 219 units · Champion Bus, Inc.
- Jan 13, 2016Crash risk2009–2015 Champion Crusader, 2009–2015 Champion CTS-RE, 2009–2015 Champion Stacked Rail — Seats
Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain model year 2009-2015 Crusader, Stacked Rail, and CTS RE vehicles manufactured April 5, 2010, to October 14, 2015, equipped with Recaro Ergo-M Commercial Bus Driver Seats. The affected seats have J-Brackets that may be missing welds which could allow the seat belt anchorage assembly to separate from the J-Bracket.
16V010000 · 8 units · Champion Bus, Inc.
- Nov 16, 2015Crash risk2006–2015 Champion American, 2006–2015 Champion American Coach, 2006–2015 Champion American Crusader and 9 other models — Equipment Adaptive/mobility
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.
15V757000 · 1K units · Champion Bus, Inc.
- Jun 19, 2015Crash risk2013–2015 Champion American Coach, 2013–2015 Champion American Crusader, 2013–2015 Champion Challenger and 11 other models — Seat Belts
Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 American Crusader, American Coach, Challenger, Crusader, CTS-FE, CTS-RE, Defender, EZ Trans, HCAC, HC, DFUC, LF Transport, Premier, and Spirit transit buses manufactured March 1, 2013, to June 12, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the passenger seat belts may rub against the metal seat frame and fray. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
15V391000 · 2K units · Champion Bus, Inc.
- Dec 29, 2014Crash risk2012–2014 Champion American Crusader, 2012–2014 Champion Challenger, 2012–2014 Champion Crusader and 12 other models — Equipment
Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 American Crusader, Challenger, Crusader, CTS-FE, CTS-RE, Defender, EZ-Street, HC American, HCAC, LF Transport, M1235, Platinum Shuttle, Stacked Rail, and Federal Coach Premier, and Spirit transit buses manufactured January 1, 2012, to October 1, 2014, equipped with certain triangle warning signs manufactured by Imperial Supplies, LLC. Test reports indicate that the triangle warning signs, labeled C&J, may reflect an inadequate amount of light. As such, these triangle warning kits fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 125, "Warning devices."
14V821000 · 773 units · Champion Bus, Inc.
- Nov 24, 2014Crash risk2014–2015 Champion Challenger, 2014–2015 Champion Crusader, 2014–2015 Champion Defender and 2 other models — Seats
Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 LF Transport, HCAC, Defender, Crusader, and Challenger transit buses manufactured September 2, 2014, to October 14, 2014. The spring nuts used to secure the passenger seats failed durability testing.
14V748000 · 168 units · Champion Bus, Inc.
- Nov 19, 2014Crash risk2006–2014 Champion American Coach, 2006–2014 Champion American Crusader, 2006–2014 Champion Challenger and 9 other models — Equipment Adaptive/mobility
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.
14V742000 · 1K units · Champion Bus, Inc.
- Sep 12, 2013Fire risk2010 Champion American Coach, 2010 Champion American Crusader, 2009–2010 Champion Challenger and 8 other models — Equipment
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.
13V422000 · 598 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.
- May 17, 2012Crash risk2008–2011 Champion American Coach, 2007–2009 Champion American Crusader, 2008–2010 Champion Challenger and 4 other models — Equipment Adaptive/mobility
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.
12V275000 · 892 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.
- Apr 2, 2010Crash risk2009–2010 Champion Challenger, 2008–2010 Champion Crusader, 2010 Champion CTS RE and 1 other model — Equipment Adaptive/mobility
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.
10V131000 · 223 units · CHAMPION BUS, INC.
- Apr 2, 2010Crash risk2008–2009 Champion Abc 3035RE, 2008–2010 Champion Abc M-1235, 2007–2010 Champion Challenger and 3 other models — Equipment Adaptive/mobility
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.
10V129000 · 300 units · CHAMPION BUS, INC.
- Oct 29, 2009Fire risk2009 Champion Challenger, 2009 Champion Crusader, 2009 Champion Defender and 1 other model — Equipment
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.
09V426000 · 6 units · CHAMPION BUS, INC.
- Sep 25, 2008Crash risk2005–2007 Champion Challenger, 2005–2006 Champion Corporal, 2005–2007 Champion Crusader and 4 other models — Equipment Adaptive/mobility
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 STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.
08V490000 · 503 units · CHAMPION BUS, INC.
- May 19, 2008Crash risk2007–2008 Champion Challenger, 2008 Champion Crusader, 2007–2008 Champion Defender — Equipment Adaptive/mobility
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.
08V225000 · 31 units · CHAMPION BUS, INC.
- Apr 24, 2008Crash risk2005–2008 Champion Challenger, 2005–2008 Champion Crusader, 2005–2008 Champion CTS-FE and 2 other models — Equipment Adaptive/mobility
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.
08V182000 · 503 units · CHAMPION BUS, INC.
- Feb 21, 2007Crash risk2006 Champion Challenger, 2006 Champion Corporal, 2006 Champion Crusader and 2 other models — Equipment Adaptive/mobility
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 PASSENGER (EITHER WHEELCHAIR OR STANDEE) ON THE BARRIER AND CAN ALLOW THE PLATFORM TO MOVE DOWN MORE THAN ONE INCH BELOW FLOOR LEVEL WHEN OCCUPIED.
07V061000 · 83 units · CHAMPION BUS, INC.
- Apr 29, 2005Crash risk2004–2005 Champion Challenger, 2004–2005 Champion Crusader — Equipment
ON CERTAIN DIESEL BUSES BUILT ON FORD E-SERIES CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER VACUUM PUMP BRACKETS, THE BRACKETS COULD BREAK.
05V174000 · 75 units · CHAMPION BUS, INC.
- Nov 2, 2004Crash risk2000–2004 Champion Challenger, 2000–2004 Champion Crusader, 2000–2004 Champion CTS and 2 other models — Equipment Adaptive/mobility
ON CERTAIN BUSES EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
04V521000 · 231 units · CHAMPION BUS, INC.
- Oct 29, 2002Crash risk1999–2001 Champion CGT, 1999–2001 Champion Challenger, 1999–2001 Champion Contender and 4 other models — Seat Belts
ON CERTAIN BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CP TRAVELING RETRACTOR LAP (TYPE 1) SEAT BELTS, THE PLASTIC COVER HOUSING THE RESERVE END OF THE SEAT BELT WEB CAN BREAK. IF THE TWO HALVES OF THE COVER COMPLETELY SEPARATE, THE CONNECTOR PORTION OF THE BELT WILL DETACH FROM THE COVER. ONCE DETACHED, THE CONNECTOR RIVET CAN SEPARATE FROM THE CONNECTOR FRAME CAUSING THE FRAME TO BECOME UNUSABLE.
02V160006 · 599 units · CHAMPION BUS, INC.