2014 CHAMPION DEFENDER Complaints and Recall Information
The 2014 CHAMPION DEFENDER has 0 complaints and 6 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues related to adaptive equipment and seat components based on recall data.
There are six recalls affecting various systems including seats, seat belts, adaptive mobility equipment, and warning devices. These recalls involve potential safety risks such as seat movement during crashes, wheelchair lift failures, and inadequate warning signs.
Recalls- Seats. Recall 14V748000 affects 168 vehicles due to spring nuts failing durability tests. Seats may move during a crash increasing injury risk. The fix involves replacing defective seat nuts free of charge.
- Wheelchair lift platform side plate. Recall 14V742000 covers 1,229 vehicles with certain Ricon wheelchair lifts. Platform side plates may crack, causing the lift platform to fall out and injure the operator. Dealers will install support bumpers or replace cracked platforms.
- Seat belt webbing. Recall 15V391000 involves 1,818 vehicles where seat belts may fray against metal seat frames, failing FMVSS 209. Dealers will install protective sleeves and replace frayed belts at no cost.
- Wheelchair lift folding link arms. Recall 15V757000 affects 1,338 vehicles with possible oversized pivot holes in lifts, causing bearing displacement. This can lead to platform detachment and injury risk. Inspections and part replacements are performed free of charge.
- Warning triangles. Recall 14V821000 includes 773 vehicles with triangle warning kits that do not reflect enough light, failing FMVSS 125. Affected triangles are replaced free of charge to reduce crash risk.
- Wheelchair lift positioning cam. Recall 18V573000 impacts 219 vehicles where the input cam may fail, causing the lift platform to stop too high. This increases tip hazards for wheelchair users. Dealers will replace the cam with a machined aluminum version at no cost.
Owners facing repeated repairs or unresolved issues related to recalls or safety defects may have rights under their state’s lemon law and should consider consulting a qualified attorney.
2014 CHAMPION DEFENDER Summary
2014
Model Year
0
Total Complaints
6
Total Recalls
5545
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2014 CHAMPION DEFENDER
219 vehicles affected
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Champion Bus (Champion) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Champion American Coach, American Crusader, American S2, Challenger, Crusader, Defender, and Impulse vehicles, equipped with certain S-Series and K-Series Titanium Wheelchair Lifts, models K200, K201, K550, K551, S200, S2201, S550 and S551. The wheelchair lift positioning input cam may fail while the lift is in use, allowing the platform to travel higher than the vehicle's floor height.
Risk: If the wheelchair lift platform stops above the vehicle floor, the wheelchair user can tip inwards toward the vehicle when exiting the lift, increasing their risk of injury.
2014 CHAMPION DEFENDER
1338 vehicles affected
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.
Risk: If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting. This failure could cause the wheel chair lift platform to fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator.
2014 CHAMPION DEFENDER
1818 vehicles affected
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 American Crusader, American Coach, Challenger, Crusader, CTS-FE, CTS-RE, Defender, EZ Trans, HCAC, HC, DFUC, LF Transport, Premier, and Spirit transit buses manufactured March 1, 2013, to June 12, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the passenger seat belts may rub against the metal seat frame and fray. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Risk: A frayed seat belt fray may fail to properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
2014 CHAMPION DEFENDER
773 vehicles affected
EQUIPMENT
Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 American Crusader, Challenger, Crusader, CTS-FE, CTS-RE, Defender, EZ-Street, HC American, HCAC, LF Transport, M1235, Platinum Shuttle, Stacked Rail, and Federal Coach Premier, and Spirit transit buses manufactured January 1, 2012, to October 1, 2014, equipped with certain triangle warning signs manufactured by Imperial Supplies, LLC. Test reports indicate that the triangle warning signs, labeled C&J, may reflect an inadequate amount of light. As such, these triangle warning kits fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 125, "Warning devices."
Risk: Warning triangles that do not properly reflect light may fail to warn others that a vehicle is parked, increasing the risk of a crash.
2014 CHAMPION DEFENDER
1229 vehicles affected
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.
Risk: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
2014 CHAMPION DEFENDER
168 vehicles affected
SEATS
Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 LF Transport, HCAC, Defender, Crusader, and Challenger transit buses manufactured September 2, 2014, to October 14, 2014. The spring nuts used to secure the passenger seats failed durability testing.
Risk: Spring nuts that fail to secure the seat and allow seat movement could increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a vehicle crash.
Complaints
No complaints found.