NHTSA vehicle safety data
2005 Champion Challenger Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2005 Champion Challenger has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns and 0 owner complaints on file as of October 16, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Champion dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2005 Champion Challenger. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
EQUIPMENT
NHTSA #10V593000Reported November 18, 2010 · CHAMPION BUS, INC.
Potentially affected: 107 vehicles
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer 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.
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> .
INTERIOR LIGHTING
NHTSA #09V369000Reported September 24, 2009 · CHAMPION BUS, INC.
Potentially affected: 69 vehicles
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
A SHORT COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY CAUSING SMOKE AND FIRE.
Manufacturer 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.
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> .
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
NHTSA #08V490000Reported September 25, 2008 · CHAMPION BUS, INC.
Potentially affected: 503 vehicles
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
CUSTOMERS 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 HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
NHTSA #08V182000Reported April 24, 2008 · CHAMPION BUS, INC.
Potentially affected: 503 vehicles
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
CUSTOMERS 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 HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
NHTSA #07V567000Reported December 14, 2007 · CHAMPION BUS, INC.
Potentially affected: 375 vehicles
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
SHOULD THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM FAIL TO OPERATE, THE LIFT USER CAN FALL FROM THE VEHICLE AND BE SERIOUSLY INJURED.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
CUSTOMERS 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 HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
NHTSA #06V362000Reported September 20, 2006 · CHAMPION BUS, INC.
Potentially affected: 18 vehicles
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
CUSTOMERS CAN 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 HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
NHTSA #06V127000Reported April 24, 2006 · CHAMPION BUS, INC.
Potentially affected: 7 vehicles
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
EQUIPMENT
NHTSA #05V174000Reported April 29, 2005 · CHAMPION BUS, INC.
Potentially affected: 75 vehicles
Defect description
ON CERTAIN DIESEL BUSES BUILT ON FORD E-SERIES CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER VACUUM PUMP BRACKETS, THE BRACKETS COULD BREAK.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer remedy
CARRIER IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-450-2211.
Notes
CUSTOMERS 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 HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Other Champion Challenger model years
Check your 2005 Champion Challenger VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Champion Challenger at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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