2008 Champion Defender recalls
11 NHTSA recall campaigns naming the 2008 Champion Defender. Last verified Jul 30, 2026. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Units are totals reported across campaigns mentioning this model — NHTSA does not always break unit counts down by model.
Affected components
Nearby model years
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 →Campaigns
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Mar 31, 2010Fire risk2008 Champion American Coach, 2008–2009 Champion Challenger, 2007–2008 Champion Defender and 5 other models — Equipment
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.
10V127000 · 191 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.
- Jul 17, 2008Fire risk2007 Champion CTS-RE, 2007–2008 Champion Defender, 2008 Champion International American CO and 2 other models — Equipment
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.
08V326000 · 68 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.