Champion Defender recalls
6 NHTSA safety recalls cover the Champion Defender, across model years 2006–2018. Every recall repair is free at any Champion dealer.
Is yours affected? Check your Defender by VIN — or pick your model year below for every recall, complaint and fix.
Recalls by model year
Of the Champion Defender model years, the 2014 has the most recalls (6).
Recalls: NHTSA campaigns covering each Champion Defender model year on this page. Separate scales: compare the shape, not the heights across panels.
| Model year | Recalls |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
Champion Defender recalls by model year
Most common Champion Defender problems
What these recalls fix, grouped by the vehicle system NHTSA files them under:
Latest Champion Defender recalls
- CHAMPION CHALLENGER (2014) recall — Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Champion is recalling 2012-2018 Challenger vehicles with certain wheelchair lifts due to risk of wheelchair user tipping into vehicle during exit. Owners must have lift replaced with safer cam.
- CHAMPION CHALLENGER (2014) recall — Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Champion Bus recalls certain Challenger buses equipped with wheelchair lifts due to bearing failure risk. Check if your lift is affected.
- CHAMPION CHALLENGER (2014) recall — Seat Belts
Champion recalls certain 2013-2015 Challenger buses due to seat belts that may fray against the metal frame, increasing injury risk in a crash.
- CHAMPION CHALLENGER (2014) recall — Equipment
Champion recalls certain 2012-2014 buses due to warning triangles that may not reflect light properly, increasing crash risk. Free replacement available.
- CHAMPION CHALLENGER (2014) recall — Seats
Champion Bus recalls 2014-2015 transit buses due to seat spring nuts that failed durability testing, potentially allowing seat movement during a crash.
Recall timeline
When the Champion Defender recalls were issued, by year — a cluster usually means one defect recalled in stages or across a platform.
What to do if your Champion Defender is recalled
- Confirm it’s yours. Recalls cover ranges of VINs, so check your VIN and confirm open recalls at NHTSA.gov.
- Heed any warning. A do-not-drive or park-outside recall applies until the repair is done.
- Call a Champion dealer with your VIN and book the repair. It’s free by law, whatever the vehicle’s age.
- Ask about a loaner or tow if parts are back-ordered or the vehicle isn’t safe to drive.
- Paid for the same fix already? Keep the receipt and ask Champion about reimbursement.
Every Champion Defender recall, by model year
2015 Champion Defender — 4 recalls
2014 Champion Defender — 6 recalls
- CHAMPION CHALLENGER (2014) recall — Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
- CHAMPION CHALLENGER (2014) recall — Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
- CHAMPION CHALLENGER (2014) recall — Seat Belts
- CHAMPION CHALLENGER (2014) recall — Equipment
- CHAMPION CHALLENGER (2014) recall — Seats
- CHAMPION CHALLENGER (2014) recall — Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
2013 Champion Defender — 5 recalls
2012 Champion Defender — 4 recalls
2011 Champion Defender — 2 recalls
2010 Champion Defender — 2 recalls
2009 Champion Defender — 2 recalls
2008 Champion Defender — 2 recalls
2007 Champion Defender — 2 recalls
Champion Defender recall questions
How many recalls does the Champion Defender have?
We have 6 NHTSA safety recalls on record for the Champion Defender, covering model years 2006–2018. The most recent was issued Aug 30, 2018 (Equipment Adaptive/Mobility).
Which Champion Defender model year has the most recalls?
The 2014 Champion Defender has the most, with 6 recalls on record. Every model year with a recall is listed on this page with links to each one.
What are the most common Champion Defender recall problems?
By system: Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (3), Seat Belts (1), Equipment (1), Seats (1).
Is it safe to drive a recalled Champion Defender?
None of these recalls carries an NHTSA do-not-drive or park-outside warning, but each fixes a safety defect, so book the free repair promptly.
How do I check if my Champion Defender has an open recall?
Run a VIN recall check: enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact year, then confirm at NHTSA.gov which are still unrepaired on your vehicle. Any Champion dealer can also look it up.
Are Champion Defender recall repairs free?
Yes. Federal law requires Champion to fix safety recalls free of charge at any authorized Champion dealer, regardless of the vehicle’s age or how many owners it has had.