Champion Challenger recalls and problems
33 recalls and 2 owner complaints for 22 model years. Pick your year for full details.
Recalls
33
Complaints
2
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Choose a model year
Champion Challenger by year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Challenger | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 Challenger | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 Challenger | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 Challenger | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 Challenger | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 Challenger | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 Challenger | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 Challenger | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 Challenger | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 Challenger | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 Challenger | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 Challenger | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 Challenger | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 Challenger | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 Challenger | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 Challenger | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 Challenger | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 Challenger | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2003 Challenger | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 Challenger | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 Challenger | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 Challenger | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most reported Champion Challenger problems
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 1 | |
| Steering | 1 | |
| Engine | 1 |
All Champion Challenger recalls
| Recall | Date | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24V-253 | Apr 5, 2024 | 2023–2024 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Forest River Bus, LLC. |
| 19V-554 | Jul 25, 2019 | 2019 | Structure | Champion Bus, Inc. |
| 18V-798 | Nov 12, 2018 | 2017–2018 | Seats | Champion Bus, Inc. |
| 18V-573 | Aug 30, 2018 | 2012–2018 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | Champion Bus (Champion) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Champion American Coach, American Crusader, American S2, Challenger, Crusader, Defender, and Impulse vehicles, equipped with certain S-Series and K-Series Titanium… |
| 16V-295 | May 12, 2016 | 2016 | Seats | Champion Bus, Inc. |
| 15V-757 | Nov 16, 2015 | 2006–2015 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | Champion Bus, Inc. |
| 15V-391 | Jun 19, 2015 | 2013–2015 | Seat Belts | Champion Bus, Inc. |
| 14V-821 | Dec 29, 2014 | 2012–2014 | Equipment | Champion Bus, Inc. |
| 14V-748 | Nov 24, 2014 | 2014–2015 | Seats | Champion Bus, Inc. |
| 14V-742 | Nov 19, 2014 | 2006–2014 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | Champion Bus, Inc. |
| 14V-257 | May 15, 2014 | 2013 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | Champion Bus, Inc. |
| 13V-422 | Sep 12, 2013 | 2009–2010 | Equipment | Champion Bus is recalling certain model year 2010 American Crusader, American Coach, CTS-FE, CTS-RE, and IC Low Floor buses; and 2009-2010 Challenger and Crusader buses; and 2009-2011 Defender and EZ Trans buses; and… |
| 12V-593 | Dec 18, 2012 | 2006, 2008–2013 | Equipment | 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. |
| 12V-275 | May 17, 2012 | 2008–2010 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | Champion bus is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2011 transit buses equipped with braun century-2 and/or vista-2 wheelchair lifts. |
| 11V-141 | Mar 1, 2011 | 2007–2011 | Equipment | Champion bus is recalling certain vehicles equipped with carrier genv em-1 evaporator units. |
| 10V-593 | Nov 18, 2010 | 2005–2008 | Equipment | Champion bus is recalling certain buses equipped with trans air ta 73 evaporators. |
| 10V-131 | Apr 2, 2010 | 2009–2010 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | Champion bus has notified NHTSA about a defect in certain model year 2008-2010 buses manufactured between september 2007 and february 2010, equipped with certain ricon s series and k series l-model wheelchair lifts, due… |
| 10V-129 | Apr 2, 2010 | 2007–2010 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | Champion bus has notified NHTSA of a defect in certain model year 2007-2010 buses fitted with ricon public use lifts. |
| 10V-127 | Mar 31, 2010 | 2008–2009 | Equipment | Champion bus has notified NHTSA of a defect in certain model year 2006-2010 buses equipped with trans/air air conditioning systems installed between may 2006 and june 2009. |
| 09V-426 | Oct 29, 2009 | 2009 | Equipment | Champion bus is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 transit buses equipped with carrier k410 rooftop condensers. |
| 09V-369 | Sep 24, 2009 | 2005–2007, 2009 | Interior Lighting | 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. |
| 08V-490 | Sep 25, 2008 | 2005–2007 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 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. |
| 08V-225 | May 19, 2008 | 2007–2008 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | Champion bus is recalling 31 my 2007-2008 defender, challenger and my 2008 crusader buses built on general motors 560 chassis and equipped with intermotive gateway 401 module interlock harness. |
| 08V-182 | Apr 24, 2008 | 2005–2008 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | Champion bus is recalling 503 my 2005-2008 defender, challenger, cts-re, cts-fe and crusader buses equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. |
| 07V-567 | Dec 14, 2007 | 2005 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 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… |
| 07V-061 | Feb 21, 2007 | 2006 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | Certain buses equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. |
| 06V-362 | Sep 20, 2006 | 2005–2006 | Engine and Engine Cooling | 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… |
| 06V-127 | Apr 24, 2006 | 2005 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 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. |
| 05V-174 | Apr 29, 2005 | 2004–2005 | Equipment | On certain diesel buses built on ford e-series chassis and equipped with carrier vacuum pump brackets, the brackets could break. |
| 04V-521 | Nov 2, 2004 | 2000–2004 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | On certain buses equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment. |
| 04V-519 | Oct 28, 2004 | 2000–2004 | Structure | On certain transit buses, a light gauge steel was used for the floor frame crossmember located in the floor sub-frame. |
| 03V-458 | Oct 24, 2003 | 2002 | Structure | On certain transit buses, a light gauge steel was used for the floor frame crossmember located in the floor sub-frame. |
| 02V-160 | Oct 29, 2002 | 2000–2001 | Seat Belts | On certain buses equipped with cp traveling retractor lap (Type 1) seat belts, the plastic cover housing the reserve end of the seat belt web can break. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the worst year for the Champion Challenger?
By owner complaints to NHTSA, the 2014 Champion Challenger has the most reports (1). Check the 2014 page for the problems owners describe.
How many recalls does the Champion Challenger have?
NHTSA lists 33 safety recalls covering Champion Challenger model years 2000–2019, 2023–2024.
What are the most common Champion Challenger problems?
Owners report service brakes, steering, engine problems most often.