Vehicle recall 02V059003 · March 13, 2002
Champion Bus and CGT
On certain transit buses equipped with adhesively bonded aluminum bus door panels, due to an imperfect bonding of the door panel skin to the panel frame, environmental moisture…
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- On certain transit buses equipped with adhesively bonded aluminum bus door panels, due to an imperfect bonding of the door panel skin to the panel frame, environmental moisture may infiltrate regions of imperfect bonding and cause separation of the frame and door panel.
- Consequence
- Under these conditions, if the panel is separating or has separated, a passenger could fall from the bus onto the roadway, possibly resulting in personal injury or death.
- Remedy
- Vapor will notify customers to have their buses inspected and will install mechanical fasteners to attach the skins to the frame elements free of charge. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact vapor corporation at 847-967-8300 or champion at 1-810-724-6474.
- Notes
- Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 02V059003
- Reported to NHTSA
- March 13, 2002
- Filed by
- CHAMPION BUS, INC.
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 181
- Initiated by
- NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
- Components
- Structure › Body › Door
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Champion Bus (1997-1999): 1999, 1998, 1997
- Champion CGT (1999): 1999
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.