2009 Champion Defender recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns naming the 2009 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.
- 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.
- 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 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.