2013 Champion Challenger Recall: Armored cable may be positioned such that it does not clear the wheelchair…
NHTSA campaign 14V257000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility · filed May 15, 2014 · verified Jul 30, 2026
The defect
Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain model year 2013 Challenger transit buses manufactured January 7, 2013, through October 25, 2013, and equipped with certain Ricon S series and K series wheelchair lifts and an optional armored pendant cable. The armored cable may be positioned such that it does not clear the wheelchair lift.
The risk
If the cable does not clear the wheel chair lift it may contact the power lug and if it does not have a nonconductive cover, or it has an improperly installed non-conductive cover, then a short circuit may occur that could result in a fire.
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 will notify owners and Ricon will send the owner a supplemental cover kit and instructions free of charge. The recall began on August 27, 2014. Owners may contact Champion customer service at 1-800-776-4943, or Ricon at 1-818-267-3000. Champion's number for this recall is 14E-010.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Affected vehicles
| Make | Model | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| Champion | Challenger | 2013 |
Related recalls
More Champion Challenger recalls
- 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…
- 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 14V257000 (manufacturer number 14E-010). Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.