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Campaign 12V275 Posted May 17, 2012 892 units

2007-2011 Champion Buses Recall 12V275: Lift Latch

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published June 2, 2026

Recall 12V275 covers 892 2007-2011 Champion transit buses with Braun wheelchair lifts for a roll-stop latch defect. Repair is free through authorized Braun dealers.

Champion is recalling 892 2007-2011 transit buses, including Ctste, American Coach, and Challenger models, because Braun Century-2 or Vista-2 wheelchair lift roll stop latches can bend or move out of alignment. An insufficiently latched roll stop can let a wheelchair ride over the outer barrier when the platform is raised, and the dealer repair will be free once available.

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What's wrong?

These 2007-2011 Champion buses use Braun Century-2 or Vista-2 wheelchair lifts for passengers who board with a wheelchair or mobility device. The lift platform raises and lowers outside the bus, and the outer barrier is the gate at the edge of that platform. Its roll stop latches hold the barrier in the locked position during lift operation.

On affected buses, frequent lift use wears on those latches over time. The latches become bent or misaligned, so the outer barrier no longer locks the way it was designed to lock. That leaves the lift dependent on a part that is no longer holding its position correctly.

There is no warning sign before failure. An operator inspecting the lift before use can look for a bent latch, a barrier that does not line up cleanly, or a barrier that feels loose instead of locked.

Who's affected?

Spans seven Champion bus models across the 2007-2011 model years, all tied to adaptive/mobility equipment.

2009 Champion Ctste Equipment adaptive/mobility
2011 Champion American Coach Equipment adaptive/mobility
2009 Champion American Coach Equipment adaptive/mobility
2007 Champion American Crusader Equipment adaptive/mobility
2010 Champion Challenger Equipment adaptive/mobility
Units affected892

A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific bus.

What's the safety risk?

An insufficiently latched lift roll stop can let a wheelchair ride over the stop while the platform is elevated. That creates a fall and injury risk for the wheelchair occupant. Before using the lift, confirm the roll stop is fully latched and keep the wheelchair away from the platform edge. Repair will be free at any franchised Champion dealer once available.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2007-2011 Champion Ctste, American Coach, American Crusader, Challenger, Crusader, Terrastar, or Defender bus is included in this recall.
  2. Watch for Champion's owner notice before scheduling the free wheelchair-lift repair.
  3. Call Champion at 1-810-724-6474 to ask where an authorized Braun dealer can complete the repair, and reference recall number 12V275.
  4. Bring the recall notice if Champion mailed one when you take the bus in for service.
  5. Keep wheelchair-lift riders clear of the outer barrier until the roll-stop latch repair is complete.

What happens at the repair

Champion's filing says owner notification and free repairs began on August 17, 2012. At the dealer, a Champion technician handles the wheelchair lift repair through the authorized Braun dealer process, focusing on the Century 2 and Vista 2 lift outer barrier roll stop latches that can become bent or misaligned. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. If the final repair is not open for your VIN, the dealer repair will be free once available.

Timeline

May 17, 2012 NHTSA published the recall
August 17, 2012 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 12V275?

Recall 12V275 covers 892 2007-2011 Champion buses equipped with Braun Century-2 or Vista-2 wheelchair lifts. The outer barrier roll stop latches can bend or become misaligned, which can let a wheelchair occupant ride over the barrier while the lift platform is elevated.

What should I do if my 2007-2011 Champion Ctste, American Coach, American Crusader, Challenger, Crusader, Terrastar, or Defender is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 12V275. If it is, contact Champion at 1-810-724-6474 or an authorized Braun dealer to schedule the wheelchair lift repair. The repair is free.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Champion says authorized Braun dealers will perform the wheelchair lift repair free of charge. Ask the service desk to reference recall 12V275 when scheduling the work.

What is the safety risk?

The safety risk is a fall from an elevated wheelchair lift platform. If the outer barrier roll stop is not latched securely, a wheelchair occupant can defeat or ride over the barrier and sustain injury.

What if I bought this Champion bus used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the bus, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included, then contact Champion or an authorized Braun dealer with recall number 12V275.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V275000
Champion customer service1-810-724-6474
NHTSA recall #12V275
NHTSA recall # (full)12V275000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →