1997–1999 Champion Bus, 1999 Champion CGT Recall: ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH ADHESIVELY BONDED ALUMINUM BUS DOOR…
NHTSA campaign 02V059003 · Structure · filed Mar 13, 2002 · verified Jul 30, 2026
The defect
ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH ADHESIVELY BONDED ALUMINUM BUS DOOR PANELS, DUE TO AN IMPERFECT BONDING OF THE DOOR PANEL SKIN TO THE PANEL FRAME, ENVIRONMENTAL MOISTURE MAY INFILTRATE REGIONS OF IMPERFECT BONDING AND CAUSE SEPARATION OF THE FRAME AND DOOR PANEL.
The risk
UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, IF THE PANEL IS SEPARATING OR HAS SEPARATED, A PASSENGER COULD FALL FROM THE BUS ONTO THE ROADWAY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
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 →The fix — what to do
VAPOR WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS TO HAVE THEIR BUSES INSPECTED AND WILL INSTALL MECHANICAL FASTENERS TO ATTACH THE SKINS TO THE FRAME ELEMENTS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VAPOR CORPORATION AT 847-967-8300 OR CHAMPION AT 1-810-724-6474.
ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Affected vehicles
Related recalls
Other campaigns involving Champion vehicles
- 2023–2024 Champion Challenger and 9 other models — Unsecured brake lines may be damaged by contact with the…
- 2019 Champion Challenger and 6 other models — Due to a manufacturing issue, the roof hatch external…
- 2017–2018 Champion Challenger and 4 other models — When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed…
Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 02V059003. Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.