RoadVitals

2002 Champion Defender

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
0
Safety recallsA 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.
2
Latest Nov 2, 2004
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.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Champion Defender. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns 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
04V521000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Nov 2, 2004
231 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN BUSES EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.
The remedy: SURE-LOK IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR CHAMPION AT 810-724-6474.
CHAMPION BUS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
04V519000

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

Oct 28, 2004
1,552 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES, A LIGHT GAUGE STEEL WAS USED FOR THE FLOOR FRAME CROSSMEMBER LOCATED IN THE FLOOR SUB-FRAME.
The risk: DRIVING THE BUS ON SOME ROAD CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE THE SUB-FLOOR CROSSMEMBER FRAME TO CRACK. THIS CONDITION CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR CRACKS AND IF CRACKS ARE PRESENT OWNERS ARE TO CONTACT CHAMPION FOR REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN NOVEMBER 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHAMPION AT 1-800-788-1976.
CHAMPION BUS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Champion Defender by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023000—
2019010—
2018020—
2017020—
2016010—
2015040—
2014060—
2013050—
2012040—
2011030—
2010070—
2009090—
20080110—
20070100—
2006050—
2005040—
2004020—
2003020—
2002Viewing020—
2001030—
2000030—
1999010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.