Champion CTS recalls
Every NHTSA recall campaign filed since 2000 that names the Champion CTS, 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
- 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.
- Oct 18, 2011Fire risk2011 Champion CTS, 2011 Champion M1235 — Engine and Engine Cooling
CHAMPION BUS (CHAMPION) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CTS AND M1235 TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 9, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 29, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS ISX OR ISL DIESEL ENGINE. THE V-BAND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, PART NUMBERS Q187684, Q187685, AND Q187686, USED TO CONNECT THE INLET AND OUTLET CONE SECTIONS TO THE DIESEL OXIDATION CATALYST (DOC)/DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) INCLUDE A T-BOLT WHICH CAN FRACTURE AND FAIL WHEN SUBJECTED TO STRESS OR LOAD. A FRACTURE OR FAILURE OF THE T-BOLT MAY CAUSE THE CLAMP TO LOOSEN AND THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS ATTACHED TO THE DOC/DPF HOUSING TO DISCONNECT.
11V518000 · 3 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.
- Sep 24, 2009Fire risk2007 Champion American Crusader, 2005–2009 Champion Challenger, 2004–2010 Champion CTS and 4 other models — Interior Lighting
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.
09V369000 · 69 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.
- Sep 20, 2006Fire risk2005–2006 Champion Challenger, 2006 Champion CTS — Engine and Engine Cooling
ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH GM 8.1L V8 ENGINES, IMPROPER HARDENING DURING THE HEAT TREATMENT PROCESS CAN CAUSE THE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP TO FRACTURE, RESULTING IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE DAMPER. IF THE DAMPER BECOMES LOOSE, FUEL COULD BE PUMPED BY THE FUEL PUMP INTO THE UNDER HOOD AREA.
06V362000 · 18 units · CHAMPION BUS, INC.
- Dec 13, 2004Crash risk2004 Champion CTS — Structure
CERTAIN BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE." THESE BUSES LACK THE CORRECT NUMBER AND SIZE OF EMERGENCY EXITS.
04V588000 · 6 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 28, 2004Crash risk2000–2004 Champion Challenger, 2003–2004 Champion Corporal, 2000–2002 Champion CTS and 2 other models — Structure
ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES, A LIGHT GAUGE STEEL WAS USED FOR THE FLOOR FRAME CROSSMEMBER LOCATED IN THE FLOOR SUB-FRAME.
04V519000 · 2K 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.