Recall 14V257 covers 29 2013 Champion Challenger buses with wheelchair lift cable clearance defects. Ricon sends owners a free cover kit.
Champion is recalling 29 2013 Challenger transit buses with Ricon S series and K series wheelchair lifts because the optional armored pendant cable can interfere with the lift. If the cable contacts the power lug without a properly installed nonconductive cover, a short circuit can start a fire; the Champion dealer repair will be free once available.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The wheelchair lift on the 2013 Champion Challenger is adaptive equipment that raises and lowers a wheelchair user between the ground and the bus floor. These buses use certain Ricon S series and K series lifts. An optional armored pendant cable runs near the lift and protects the wiring for the hand control used to operate the equipment.
On the recalled buses, that armored cable is routed so it does not clear the wheelchair lift. As the lift moves, the cable can contact the lift instead of staying out of its travel path. That interference can affect lift movement because the cable is in the space the lift needs to travel through.
There is no warning sign before failure. During use, an operator can see the cable touching, dragging, or binding against the lift, but Champion did not identify a dashboard light, alarm, or other advance notice.
Who's affected?
| 2013 Champion Challenger | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 29 |
Not every 2013 Champion Challenger bus is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
A wheelchair lift cable that contacts the power lug without a proper nonconductive cover can short circuit and result in a fire. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall work promptly and follow Champion's repair instructions. Repair will be free at any franchised Champion dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Champion Challenger is included in this recall.
- Watch for the Champion or Ricon supplemental cover kit and instructions; owner letters were mailed on August 27, 2014.
- Install the nonconductive cover kit before using the wheelchair lift with the armored pendant cable.
- Call Champion customer service at 1-800-776-4943 if the kit or instructions are missing, and reference recall number 14V257 (Champion recall 14E-010).
- Avoid using the affected wheelchair lift until the cover kit is installed, since the cable contact can short the power lug and start a fire.
What happens at the repair
The filed remedy does not list a Champion technician repair or an estimated shop time. Champion notified owners, and Ricon provides a supplemental cover kit with instructions at no charge. The kit addresses the armored pendant cable clearance issue on the Ricon wheelchair lift. If Champion opens a dealer repair for this campaign, parts and labor are covered under the recall once that repair is available.
Timeline
| May 15, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 27, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V257?
Recall 14V257 covers 29 2013 Champion Challenger transit buses equipped with Ricon S series or K series wheelchair lifts and an optional armored pendant cable. The cable can interfere with the lift and create a short circuit fire risk if the power lug lacks a proper nonconductive cover.
What should I do if my 2013 Champion Challenger is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 14V257. If it is, contact Champion customer service at 1-800-776-4943 and ask for the Ricon supplemental cover kit and installation instructions. Reference Champion recall number 14E-010 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the remedy to be provided at no cost, and Champion says Ricon will send the supplemental cover kit and instructions free of charge. Parts and instructions are covered for affected 2013 Champion Challenger buses included in recall 14V257.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. If the armored pendant cable does not clear the wheelchair lift, it can contact the power lug. Without a proper nonconductive cover, that contact can cause a short circuit and result in a fire.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V257000 |
|---|---|
| Champion customer service | 1-800-776-4943 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V257 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V257000 |
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 →