NHTSA vehicle safety data

2013 Champion Bus Defender Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2013 Champion Bus Defender has 1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 2013 Champion Bus Defender. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

EQUIPMENT

NHTSA #12V593000

Reported 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.

Other Champion Bus Defender model years

Check your 2013 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.

Check a Champion Bus VIN