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2006 Champion Defender

Component

Equipment Adaptive

Consequence of Defect

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.

2005 Champion Defender

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.

2004 Champion Defender

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.

2003 Champion Defender

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.

2002 Champion Defender

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 Defender

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.

2001 Champion Defender

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 Defender

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 Defender

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.

2000 Champion Defender

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.

2000 Champion Defender

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 Defender

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.

1999 Champion Defender

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.