The 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.
The risk
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.
The remedy
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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Champion American Crusader | 2009 |
| Champion Challenger | 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 |
| Champion Crusader | 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Champion Bus Defender | 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 |
Components: EQUIPMENT
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champion American Crusader | 2009 | 0 | 4 |
| Champion Challenger | 2006 | 0 | 9 |
| Champion Challenger | 2008 | 0 | 10 |
| Champion Challenger | 2009 | 0 | 11 |
| Champion Challenger | 2010 | 0 | 8 |
| Champion Challenger | 2011 | 0 | 4 |
| Champion Challenger | 2012 | 1 | 5 |
| Champion Challenger | 2013 | 0 | 7 |
| Champion Crusader | 2009 | 0 | 10 |
| Champion Crusader | 2010 | 0 | 8 |
| Champion Crusader | 2011 | 0 | 5 |
| Champion Bus Defender | 2009 | 0 | 1 |
| Champion Bus Defender | 2010 | 0 | 1 |
| Champion Bus Defender | 2011 | 0 | 2 |
| Champion Bus Defender | 2012 | 0 | 1 |
| Champion Bus Defender | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
Other equipment recalls in 2012
128 of the 583 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2012 concerned the equipment; Champion Bus, Inc. filed 16 campaigns in all.
| 12V599000 21 Dec 2012 | KEYSTONE RV COMPANY |
| 12V601000 21 Dec 2012 | Daimler Trucks North America |
| 12V598000 20 Dec 2012 | Jerr-Dan Corporation |
| 12V584000 12 Dec 2012 | Creative Bus Sales, Inc. |
| 12V592000 11 Dec 2012 | TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES AMERICA LTD |
| 12V580000 10 Dec 2012 | Glaval Bus Division |
| 12V575000 10 Dec 2012 | Winnebago Industries Inc. |
| 12V569000 7 Dec 2012 | Coach and Equipment Mfg Corp. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2012