NHTSA vehicle safety data
2011 Champion Bus Defender Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2011 Champion Bus Defender has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 0 owner complaints on file as of October 16, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Champion Bus dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2011 Champion Bus Defender. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
EQUIPMENT
NHTSA #12V593000Reported December 18, 2012 · Champion Bus, Inc.
Potentially affected: 73 vehicles
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
NHTSA #11V141000Reported March 1, 2011 · CHAMPION BUS, INC.
Potentially affected: 974 vehicles
Defect description
CHAMPION BUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER GENV EM-1 EVAPORATOR UNITS. DUE TO TIME, TEMPERATURE, AND/OR VIBRATION, THE FUSE MAY LOOSEN IN THE FUSE HOLDER RESULTING IN HIGH RESISTANCE AND ARCING.
Safety consequence
IF SUFFICIENT ARCING OCCURS, THE FUSE HOLDER MAY MELT, AND MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY FLAME, SMOKE AND POTENTIAL FIRE.
Manufacturer remedy
CHAMPION BUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE INFORMATION ON HOW TO OBTAIN THE RETROFIT KIT FROM CARRIER ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 8, 2011. OWNER MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-800-793-4741 OR CHAMPION BUS AT 1-810-724-6474.
Notes
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
Other Champion Bus Defender model years
Check your 2011 Champion Bus Defender VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Champion Bus Defender at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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