2008 Champion Challenger recalls

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

Champion will notify owners, and Ricon will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Champion customer service at 1-810-724-1753 extension 415, or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Champion's number for this recall is 15E-068. Note: These buses and wheelchair lifts were subject to a similar recall in 2014. All vehicles that received that recall remedy are still affected by this recall as well.

Owner notification: December 21, 2015 · Filing manufacturer: Champion Bus, Inc.

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

Champion Bus will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began in November 2014. Owners may contact Champion Bus customer service at 1-810-724-6474. Owners may contact Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884.

Owner notification: November 28, 2014 · Filing manufacturer: Champion Bus, Inc.

Defect: Champion Bus is recalling certain model year 2006, and certain model year 2008-2013 buses, models: American Crusader, Challenger, Crusader, and Defender; manufactured September 30, 2006, through November 16, 2012. The buses are equipped with a Ricon manufactured wheelchair lift which has an optional armored pendant cable. The cable may have been installed such that it doesn't clear the wheelchair lift and without a protective cover, or a misinstalled protective cover.

Why it matters: The cable may contact the power lug at the base of the wheel chair lift causing a short circuit that could result in a fire.

Champion Bus is working with Ricon to notify owners. Ricon will provide a supplemental cover kit with instructions, free of charge. Owners may contact Champion Bus at 1-819-724-6474 or Ricon at 1-818-267-3000.

Owner notification: January 23, 2013 · Filing manufacturer: Champion Bus, Inc.

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: A wheelchair occupant may defeat or ride over the insufficiently latched roll stop. if this occurs when the lift platform is in an elevated position, the wheelchairâ’s occupant could fall and sustain injury.

CHAMPION BUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED BRAUN DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL began on AUGUST 17, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHAMPION BUS AT 1-810-724-6474.

Owner notification: August 17, 2012 · Filing manufacturer: CHAMPION BUS, INC.

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: If sufficient arcing occurs, the fuse holder may melt, and may be accompanied by flame, smoke and potential fire.

Champion bus will notify owners and provide information on how to obtain the retrofit kit from carrier along with repair instructions. this service will be performed free of charge. the safety recall began on march 8, 2011. owner may contact carrier at 1-800-793-4741 or champion bus at 1-810-724-6474.

Owner notification: March 8, 2011 · Filing manufacturer: CHAMPION BUS, INC.

Defect: Champion bus is recalling certain buses equipped with trans air ta 73 evaporators. the evaporator utilizes a power resistor to regulate blower speed. should a short occur in the "low or medium speed" circuit while the blower is in high speed, the short will cause the supply voltage to feedback through the resistor to ground, not drawing enough current to trip the fuse.

Why it matters: This would cause the resistor temperature to rise to a point where it will melt and possibly ignite the plastic blower housing to which it is mounted. the overheating can result in a fire.

Champion bus in cooperation with trans air will install a thermal shutdown device in series with the speed resistors. this service will be performed free of charge. the safety recall began on december 6, 2010. owners may contact trans air warranty and service center at 1-800-673-2446.

Owner notification: December 6, 2010 · Filing manufacturer: CHAMPION BUS, INC.

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move without the restraint belt properly buckled.

Champion bus is working with ricon and ricon will be handling the remedy for this campaign. please see ricon's defect report 09e-060. ricon will provide customers with a warning decal and a dvd-based training aid. the safety recall began on may 5, 2010. owners may contact ricon customer service at 800-322-2884, emailing at [email protected].

Owner notification: May 4, 2010 · Filing manufacturer: CHAMPION BUS, INC.

Defect: Champion bus has notified nhtsa of a defect in certain model year 2006-2010 buses equipped with trans/air air conditioning systems installed between may 2006 and june 2009. each trans/air system comes with an electrical kit which contains a relay board and ec pc board which if improperly installed could overheat.

Why it matters: An electrical failure in the relay board, can cause overheating and pose a serious fire hazard.

Trans air will notify the owners and the buses will be repaired free of charge. please also see trans/air defect report 09e-042. the safety recall began on may 19, 2010. owners may contact trans/air warranty and service department at 1-800-673- 2446.

Owner notification: May 19, 2010 · Filing manufacturer: CHAMPION BUS, INC.