2005–2007 Champion Challenger, 2005–2006 Champion Corporal, 2005–2007 Champion Crusader and 4 other models Recall: Equipment Adaptive/mobility
NHTSA campaign 08V490000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility · filed Sep 25, 2008 · verified Jul 30, 2026
The defect
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.
The risk
A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.
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
CHAMPION BUS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFT FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR CHAMPION BUS AT 1-800-331-5761.
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Affected vehicles
Related recalls
More Champion Challenger recalls
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- 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…
- 2012–2018 Champion American Coach and 6 other models — Wheelchair lift positioning input cam may fail while the…
- 2016 Champion Challenger — These vehicles are equipped with seats that may separate…
Other campaigns involving Champion vehicles
- 2009–2015 Champion Crusader and 2 other models — Affected seats have J-Brackets that may be missing welds…
- 2006–2015 Champion American and 11 other models — Affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may…
- 2013–2015 Champion American Coach and 13 other models — In the affected vehicles, the passenger seat belts may rub…
Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 08V490000. Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.