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2005 Champion Defender recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

4 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 2005 Champion Defender. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Champion been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Champion dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.

2005 Champion Defender recalls, newest first

July 30, 2009NHTSA 09V31300036 vehicles potentially affected

Service brakes, hydraulic

Summary
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.
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.
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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

September 25, 2008NHTSA 08V490000503 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment adaptive/mobility

Summary
Champion bus is recalling 503 my 2005-2007 challenger, crusader, defender, my 2005-2006 corporal, my 2006 cts-re, and my 2007 cts-fe and ic defender transit buses equipped with a ricon platform style wheelchair lift. This lift fails to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift systems for motor vehicles." the anti-stow interlock may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something is still on the lift.
Consequence
A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.
Remedy
Champion bus is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lift free of charge (please see 07E097). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or champion bus at 1-800-331-5761.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

April 24, 2008NHTSA 08V182000503 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment adaptive/mobility

Summary
Champion bus is recalling 503 my 2005-2008 defender, challenger, cts-re, cts-fe and crusader buses equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These buses fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the threshold warning system may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.
Consequence
The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
Remedy
Champion bus is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07E095). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or champion bus at 1-937-596-6849.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

April 24, 2006NHTSA 06V1270007 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment adaptive/mobility

Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

No owner complaints about the 2005 Champion Defender were found in NHTSA’s complaint data.

Other Champion Defender years

Other 2005 Champion models

Most recalled 2005 vehicles

  1. 2005 Honda Accord (24 recalls)
  2. 2005 Ford E-350 (16 recalls)
  3. 2005 IC CE (16 recalls)
  4. 2005 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 (16 recalls)
  5. 2005 Honda Pilot (15 recalls)
All of 2005’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 2005 Champion Defender have any recalls?
4 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: service brakes, hydraulic, equipment adaptive/mobility. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 2005 Champion Defender recall has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Champion dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2005 Champion Defender?
0 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.