Lemon Law Center

certain buses equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, 'platform lift systems for motor vehicles.' the inner barrier interlock switch system in the lift baseplate may not detect the presence of a passenger (either wheelchair or standee) on the barrier and can allow the platform to move down more than one inch below floor level when occupied.

Corrective Action

in the event this condition occurs during passenger operations, it may be possible for the wheelchair to tip backwards onto the platform if the user is backing onto the lift from inside the vehicle and has the small front wheels fully or partially on the inner barrier when the platform was lowered. a person standing could lose his or her balance if they were positioned fully or partly on the inner barrier when the platform was lowered. either condition could cause personal injury.

Recall Notes

champion bus is working with ricon to repair these wheelchair lifts (please see 06e101). owners can contact ricon at 1-800-322-2884 or champion bus at 1-800-331-5761.

2006 Champion Challenger

Component

Engine And Engine Cooling

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could result.

Recall Notes

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.

2005 Champion Challenger

Component

Equipment Adaptive

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

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.

Recall Notes

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.

2005 Champion Challenger

Component

Engine And Engine Cooling

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could result.

Recall Notes

2005 Champion Challenger

Component

Equipment

Consequence of Defect

on certain diesel buses built on ford e-series chassis and equipped with carrier vacuum pump brackets, the brackets could break.

Corrective Action

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.

Recall Notes

carrier is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. owners may contact carrier service department at 1-800-450-2211.

2005 Champion Challenger

Component

Equipment Adaptive

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

should the threshold warning system fail to operate, the lift user can fall from the vehicle and be seriously injured.

Recall Notes

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.

2004 Champion Challenger

Component

Structure: Frame And Members:Underbody Shields

Consequence of Defect

on certain transit buses, a light gauge steel was used for the floor frame crossmember located in the floor sub-frame.

Corrective Action

driving the bus on some road conditions could cause the sub-floor crossmember frame to crack. this condition can increase the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

owners will inspect for cracks and if cracks are present owners are to contact champion for repair instructions. the recall began november 16, 2004. owners should contact champion at 1-800-788-1976.

2004 Champion Challenger

Component

Equipment Adaptive

Consequence of Defect

on certain buses equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.

Corrective Action

in the event of a vehicle crash, the wheelchair may not be adequately secured possibly resulting in injuries to a wheelchair occupant.

Recall Notes

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.

2004 Champion Challenger

Component

Equipment

Consequence of Defect

on certain diesel buses built on ford e-series chassis and equipped with carrier vacuum pump brackets, the brackets could break.

Corrective Action

Recall Notes

carrier is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. owners may contact carrier service department at 1-800-450-2211.

2003 Champion Challenger

Component

Structure: Frame And Members:Underbody Shields

Consequence of Defect

on certain transit buses, a light gauge steel was used for the floor frame crossmember located in the floor sub-frame.

Corrective Action

driving the bus on some road conditions could cause the sub-floor crossmember frame to crack. this condition can increase the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

owners will inspect for cracks and if cracks are present owners are to contact champion for repair instructions. the recall began november 16, 2004. owners should contact champion at 1-800-788-1976.

2003 Champion Challenger

Component

Equipment Adaptive

Consequence of Defect

on certain buses equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.

Corrective Action

in the event of a vehicle crash, the wheelchair may not be adequately secured possibly resulting in injuries to a wheelchair occupant.

Recall Notes

2002 Champion Challenger

Component

Structure: Frame And Members:Underbody Shields

Consequence of Defect

on certain transit buses, a light gauge steel was used for the floor frame crossmember located in the floor sub-frame.

Corrective Action

driving the bus on some road conditions could cause the sub-floor crossmember frame to crack. this condition can increase the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

owners will inspect for cracks and if cracks are present owners are to contact champion for repair instructions. the recall began on may 12, 2004. owners should contact champion at 1-800-788-1976.

2002 Champion Challenger

Component

Structure: Frame And Members:Underbody Shields

Consequence of Defect

on certain transit buses, a light gauge steel was used for the floor frame crossmember located in the floor sub-frame.

Corrective Action

driving the bus on some road conditions could cause the sub-floor crossmember frame to crack. this condition can increase the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

owners will inspect for cracks and if cracks are present owners are to contact champion for repair instructions. the recall began november 16, 2004. owners should contact champion at 1-800-788-1976.

2002 Champion Challenger

Component

Equipment Adaptive

Consequence of Defect

on certain buses equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.

Corrective Action

in the event of a vehicle crash, the wheelchair may not be adequately secured possibly resulting in injuries to a wheelchair occupant.

Recall Notes

2001 Champion Challenger

Component

Seat Belts:Front:Retractor

Consequence of Defect

on certain buses equipped with cp traveling retractor lap (type 1) seat belts, the plastic cover housing the reserve end of the seat belt web can break. if the two halves of the cover completely separate, the connector portion of the belt will detach from the cover. once detached, the connector rivet can separate from the connector frame causing the frame to become unusable.

Corrective Action

this condition cannot occur during use, however, the belt will be unsuable and may result in an occupant seating position without a seat belt. in the event of a vehicle crash, an unbelted individual could be seriously injured or killed.

Recall Notes

amsafe will notify its customers and provide a plastic outer cover that snaps over the existing cover on units in the field and will replace broken seat belts free of charge. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact amsafe at 574-266-8330 or champion at 810-724-6474.

2001 Champion Challenger

Component

Structure: Frame And Members:Underbody Shields

Consequence of Defect

on certain transit buses, a light gauge steel was used for the floor frame crossmember located in the floor sub-frame.

Corrective Action

driving the bus on some road conditions could cause the sub-floor crossmember frame to crack. this condition can increase the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

owners will inspect for cracks and if cracks are present owners are to contact champion for repair instructions. the recall began november 16, 2004. owners should contact champion at 1-800-788-1976.

2001 Champion Challenger

Component

Equipment Adaptive

Consequence of Defect

on certain buses equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.

Corrective Action

in the event of a vehicle crash, the wheelchair may not be adequately secured possibly resulting in injuries to a wheelchair occupant.

Recall Notes

2000 Champion Challenger

Component

Seat Belts:Front:Retractor

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

Recall Notes

2000 Champion Challenger

Component

Structure: Frame And Members:Underbody Shields

Consequence of Defect

on certain transit buses, a light gauge steel was used for the floor frame crossmember located in the floor sub-frame.

Corrective Action

driving the bus on some road conditions could cause the sub-floor crossmember frame to crack. this condition can increase the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

owners will inspect for cracks and if cracks are present owners are to contact champion for repair instructions. the recall began november 16, 2004. owners should contact champion at 1-800-788-1976.

2000 Champion Challenger

Component

Equipment Adaptive

Consequence of Defect

on certain buses equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.

Corrective Action

in the event of a vehicle crash, the wheelchair may not be adequately secured possibly resulting in injuries to a wheelchair occupant.

Recall Notes

1999 Champion Challenger

Component

Seat Belts:Front:Retractor

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

Recall Notes

1999 Champion Challenger

Component

Equipment

Consequence of Defect

certain motor homes equipped with norcold refrigerator cooling units model numbers 1200lr and 1200rim with serial numbers between 700000 and 1008700 . these refrigerators can experience low cycle fatigue failure which can lead to the liquid solution slowly leaking from the sealed, pressurized cooling unit through a small crack.

Corrective Action

if a leak occurs and the unit is continually operated, hydrogen gas may be expelled and can be ignited, resulting in a fire, possibly causing serious injury or death.

Recall Notes

norcold will notify its customers and provide a replacement cooling unit free of charge. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact norcold service center at 1-800-667-3005.

1998 Champion Challenger

Component

Equipment

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

if a leak occurs and the unit is continually operated, hydrogen gas may be expelled and can be ignited, resulting in a fire, possibly causing serious injury or death.

Recall Notes

1997 Champion Challenger

Component

Equipment

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

if a leak occurs and the unit is continually operated, hydrogen gas may be expelled and can be ignited, resulting in a fire, possibly causing serious injury or death.