NHTSA vehicle safety data
2018 Champion Challenger Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2018 Champion Challenger 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 dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2018 Champion Challenger. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
SEATS
NHTSA #18V798000Reported November 12, 2018 · Champion Bus, Inc.
Potentially affected: 76 vehicles
Defect description
Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Champion Challenger, Defender, LF Transport, Goshen G-Force, and Impulse transit buses, equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats, part numbers 43705, 45467, 48923, and 75719. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems," and number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Safety consequence
In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
Champion will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2018. Owners may contact Champion customer service at 1-810-724-1753, extension 415 or Freedman customer service at 1-800-527-7477.
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 ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
NHTSA #18V573000Reported August 30, 2018 · Champion Bus, Inc.
Potentially affected: 219 vehicles
Defect description
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 Wheelchair Lifts, models K200, K201, K550, K551, S200, S2201, S550 and S551. The wheelchair lift positioning input cam may fail while the lift is in use, allowing the platform to travel higher than the vehicle's floor height.
Safety consequence
If the wheelchair lift platform stops above the vehicle floor, the wheelchair user can tip inwards toward the vehicle when exiting the lift, increasing their risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will replace the injection molded cam with an aluminum machined cam, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2018. Owners may contact Champion customer service 1-810-724-1753 extension 415 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884 or by emailing Ricon at [email protected].
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 Challenger model years
Check your 2018 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.
Check a Champion VIN