RoadVitals

2005 Champion Challenger Recalls

Safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA that cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
Recall campaignsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
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Newest Nov 18, 2010
Carrying an NHTSA advisoryCampaigns where NHTSA told owners not to drive the vehicle, or to park it outside, until the repair is done.
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Open investigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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Recall campaigns

8 campaigns cover this model year — what the defect is, what it could cause, and what the remedy is

EQUIPMENT

Nov 18, 2010
107 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: 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.
The remedy: 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.
CHAMPION BUS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

INTERIOR LIGHTING

Sep 24, 2009
69 units potentially affected
The defect: CHAMPION BUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 THROUGH 2010 TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 2003 AND AUGUST 2009 EQUIPPED WITH LUMINATOR HORIZON LED SIDE DESTINATION SIGNS. THE CONNECTOR BOARD CAN CORRODE DUE TO AN ACCUMULATION OF MOISTURE UNDER THE CONNECTOR.
The risk: A SHORT COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY CAUSING SMOKE AND FIRE.
The remedy: CHAMPION BUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND LUMINATOR WILL REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE LUMINATOR'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-054. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LUMINATOR AT 1-972-516-3033 OR CHAMPION BUS AT 1-800-331-5761.
CHAMPION BUS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Sep 25, 2008
503 units potentially affected
The defect: CHAMPION BUS IS RECALLING 503 MY 2005-2007 CHALLENGER, CRUSADER, DEFENDER, MY 2005-2006 CORPORAL, MY 2006 CTS-RE, AND MY 2007 CTS-FE AND IC DEFENDER TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH A RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFT. THIS LIFT FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.
The risk: A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.
The remedy: CHAMPION BUS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFT FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR CHAMPION BUS AT 1-800-331-5761.
CHAMPION BUS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Apr 24, 2008
503 units potentially affected
The defect: CHAMPION BUS IS RECALLING 503 MY 2005-2008 DEFENDER, CHALLENGER, CTS-RE, CTS-FE AND CRUSADER BUSES EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.
The risk: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.
The remedy: CHAMPION BUS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR CHAMPION BUS AT 1-937-596-6849.
CHAMPION BUS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Dec 14, 2007
375 units potentially affected
The defect: CHAMPION BUS IS RECALLING 375 MY 2005-2007 CHAMPION, CHALLENGER, CRUSADER, CTS, DEFENDER AND GENERAL COACH MODEL CORPORAL AND M1235 BUSES EQUIPPED WITH BRAUN PLATFORM LIFTS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." A PASSENGER CAN APPROACH THE EXPOSED LIFT DOORWAY WITHOUT THE AUDIBLE ALARM ALERTING THEM OF THEIR PROXIMITY TO THE THRESHOLD.
The risk: SHOULD THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM FAIL TO OPERATE, THE LIFT USER CAN FALL FROM THE VEHICLE AND BE SERIOUSLY INJURED.
The remedy: CHAMPION IS WORKING WITH BRAUN CORPORATION TO HAVE THE DOORWAY LIFT FIXED FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 06E094). OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHAMPION AT 1-800-331-5761 OR BRAUN CORPORATION AT 1-800-946-7513.
CHAMPION BUS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Sep 20, 2006
18 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH GM 8.1L V8 ENGINES, IMPROPER HARDENING DURING THE HEAT TREATMENT PROCESS CAN CAUSE THE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP TO FRACTURE, RESULTING IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE DAMPER. IF THE DAMPER BECOMES LOOSE, FUEL COULD BE PUMPED BY THE FUEL PUMP INTO THE UNDER HOOD AREA.
The risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
The remedy: CHEVROLET AND WORKHORSE ARE HANDLING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 06V225 AND 06V289). DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIPS ON THESE ENGINES FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, WORKHORSE AT 877-294-6773 OR THOR INDUSTRIES AT 937-596-6849.
CHAMPION BUS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Apr 24, 2006
7 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH RICON S AND K SERIES PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS, THE VERTICAL SUPPORT ARMS FOR THE LIFTS WERE IMPROPERLY WELDED ALLOWING THE LIFT TO STOW IMPROPERLY.
The risk: IN THE EVENT THIS CONDITION OCCURS DURING PASSENGER OPERATIONS IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO CLOSE THE LIFT DOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE INTERLOCKS TO REMAIN ENGAGED PREVENTING MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE OR THE ABILITY TO LOAD OR UNLOAD PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES FROM THE VEHICLE.
The remedy: CHAMPION IS WORKING WITH RICON TO REMEDY THESE BUSES. THE TWO LIFT ARMS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR CHAMPION AT 1-810-724-6474.
CHAMPION BUS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT

Apr 29, 2005
75 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN DIESEL BUSES BUILT ON FORD E-SERIES CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER VACUUM PUMP BRACKETS, THE BRACKETS COULD BREAK.
The risk: WHEN THE BRACKET BREAKS, THE VACUUM PUMP THAT PROVIDES THE POWER TO THE POWER BRAKES BECOMES INOPERATIVE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING COULD BE AFFECTED IF THE BELT GETS CAUGHT IN THE OTHER BELTS.
The remedy: CARRIER IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-450-2211.
CHAMPION BUS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

What a recall is

Safety recall
A safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
Safety investigation
NHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
Manufacturer communication
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources