Champion Bus Recalls Wheelchair Lifts Due to Fire Risk
Champion Bus is recalling certain 2006-2013 buses because a wheelchair lift cable may cause a short circuit and fire.
What this means for you
Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a vehicle defect that could result in a fire, which meets the rubric criteria for 'Severe' severity due to the potential for significant injury or property damage.
Plain-English summary
Champion Bus, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2006, and certain model year 2008-2013 buses, including the American Crusader, Challenger, Crusader, and Defender models. These vehicles were manufactured between September 30, 2006, and November 16, 2012. The recall affects buses equipped with a Ricon-manufactured wheelchair lift that has an optional armored pendant cable.
The defect involves the installation of the armored pendant cable. The cable may have been installed in a way that it does not clear the wheelchair lift, or it may lack a protective cover, or have a misinstalled protective cover. This condition allows the cable to contact the power lug at the base of the wheelchair lift, which can cause 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. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit www.safercar.gov.
The recalled product
- Product
- CHAMPION, CHAMPION BUS CHALLENGER, DEFENDER, CRUSADER, AMERICAN CRUSADER
- Brand
- CHAMPION
- Manufacturer
- Champion Bus, Inc.
- Category
- Vehicle — Bus
- Hazard
- Affected units
- 73
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (4)
- CHALLENGER
- DEFENDER
- CRUSADER
- AMERICAN CRUSADER
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
Related recalls
Same brand · CHAMPION
- SevereChampion and Goshen Transit Buses Recalled for Seat Lock Defect
NHTSA · 2018-11-12
- HighChampion Recalls Buses with Defective Wheelchair Lifts
NHTSA · 2018-08-30
- SevereChampion Challenger Shuttle Buses Recalled for Seat Separation Risk
NHTSA · 2016-05-12
- HighChampion Bus Recalls 2009-2015 Models Due to Seat Belt Anchor Defect
NHTSA · 2016-01-13
- HighChampion Transit Buses Recalled for Wheelchair Lift Bearing Defect
NHTSA · 2015-11-16
Same manufacturer · Champion Bus, Inc.
See all →- HighChampion and Goshen Shuttle Bus Roof Hatch Handle Recall
NHTSA · 2019-07-25
- High
Same hazard · fire
See all →- HighKibbi Recalls 2026-2027 Renegade RVs Due to Fire Risk
NHTSA · 2026-09-05
- SevereAmana Through-The-Wall Air Conditioners Recalled Due to Fire Risk
CPSC · 2026-09-03
- Severe
- High
- SevereTiffin Recalls 2026-2027 Wayfarer RVs Due to LP Tank Defects
NHTSA · 2026-08-31