NHTSA vehicle safety data
2004 Champion Defender Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2004 Champion 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 dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2004 Champion Defender. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NHTSA #09V313000Reported July 30, 2009 · CHAMPION BUS, INC.
Potentially affected: 36 vehicles
Defect description
CHAMPION BUS IS RECALLING 36 MODEL YEAR 2004, 2005, AND 2007 DEFENDER AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 M1000 BUSES BUILT BETWEEN APRIL 12, 2004 AND SEPTEMBER 18, 2006. CERTAIN HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES MAY CONTACT THE TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK TUBE AS THE ENGINE ROCKS.
Safety consequence
CONTINUED CONTACT BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND THE DIPSTICK TUBE COULD CAUSE A BRAKE FLUID LEAK AND REDUCE BRAKE PERFORMANCE, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Manufacturer remedy
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS HANDLING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. PLEASE SEE 09V-114. DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL CORRECT THE CHASSIS IF FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FOR YOU FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.
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 #04V521000Reported November 2, 2004 · CHAMPION BUS, INC.
Potentially affected: 231 vehicles
Defect description
ON CERTAIN BUSES EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
Safety consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.
Manufacturer remedy
SURE-LOK IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR CHAMPION AT 810-724-6474.
Notes
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Other Champion Defender model years
Check your 2004 Champion Defender VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Champion Defender at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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