The Recall Desk
HighNHTSA·14V742000·Announced 2014-11-19

Champion Transit Buses Recalled for Wheelchair Lift Platform Cracking Risk

Champion Bus is recalling 2006-2014 transit buses equipped with certain Ricon wheelchair lifts because the platform side plate may crack, posing an injury risk.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural defect in a wheelchair lift that could cause the platform to fall, posing a risk of injury to the operator. No injuries or deaths are reported in the source text, and the agency classification is not provided, fitting the criteria for a risk-of-harm product where injury has not yet been reported.

Plain-English summary

Champion Bus, Inc. 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. These vehicles were manufactured between January 1, 2006, and July 31, 2014, and are equipped with specific Ricon Corporation wheelchair lifts (models S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510).

The recall addresses a defect where the platform side plate of the wheelchair lift may crack. If the side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and 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.

Owners should contact Champion Bus customer service at 1-810-724-6474 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236. Champion Bus will notify owners to take the buses to a Ricon dealer or service center to install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced free of charge. The recall began in November 2014.

The recalled product

Product
CHAMPION HCAC, STACKED RAIL, PLATINUM SHUTTLE, DEFENDER
Brand
CHAMPION
Manufacturer
Champion Bus, Inc.
Category
Vehicle — Transit Bus
Hazard
Affected units
1,229

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 (12)

  • HCAC
  • STACKED RAIL
  • PLATINUM SHUTTLE
  • DEFENDER
  • CRUSADER
  • CHALLENGER
  • CORPORAL
  • CTS-RE
  • AMERICAN CRUSADER
  • AMERICAN COACH
  • CTS-FE
  • HC AMERICAN

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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