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Campaign 14V742 Posted November 19, 2014 1,229 units

2006-2014 Champion Bus Recall 14V742: Lift Side Plate

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published June 1, 2026

Recall 14V742 affects 1,229 2006-2014 Champion transit buses with Ricon wheelchair lifts that can crack. Repair is free at a Ricon service center.

Champion is recalling 1,229 2006-2014 buses, including American Coach and Stacked Rail models, because side plates on certain Ricon wheelchair lifts can crack. If the platform separates and rests against the lift door, it can fall out when the door opens, creating an injury risk for the lift operator; Champion dealers will complete the repair free of charge.

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What's wrong?

The Ricon S-Series wheelchair lift on affected 2006-2014 Champion buses is adaptive mobility equipment used to raise and lower a passenger using a wheelchair. The platform is the part the passenger rides on, and the side plate is part of the structure that helps support that platform while the lift moves.

On these buses, the platform side plate is subject to cracking. Once that plate cracks, the lift no longer has the same structural support at the platform edge. The recall information does not identify a separate component difference or root cause, so the defect is centered on the cracked side plate itself.

There is no warning sign before failure. A crack is found by inspecting the lift hardware, not by waiting for a dashboard light, noise, or drivability symptom.

Who's affected?

The scope reaches across the 2006-2014 model years and includes shuttle, coach, and bus variants using the same adaptive and mobility equipment component.

2011 Champion Hcac Equipment adaptive/mobility
2014 Champion Stacked Rail Equipment adaptive/mobility
2013 Champion Stacked Rail Equipment adaptive/mobility
2012 Champion Stacked Rail Equipment adaptive/mobility
2011 Champion Stacked Rail Equipment adaptive/mobility
Units affected1,229

The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.

What's the safety risk?

Cracked platform side plates can let the lift platform separate and rest against the lift door. When the doors open, the platform can fall out and injure the lift operator. Keep operators clear of the lift and arrange the recall repair before putting it back in service. Repair is free at any franchised Champion dealer.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2006-2014 Champion transit bus is included in this recall.
  2. Contact Champion customer service at 1-810-724-6474 to confirm the nearest Ricon dealer or service center for the free wheelchair-lift repair.
  3. Schedule the supplemental platform support bumper installation that supports the wheelchair-lift platform side plates; Champion replaces any platform that has started cracking.
  4. Bring the recall notice if Champion has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 14V742 when you call.
  5. Keep riders and lift operators clear of the lift platform until the repair is complete if you see cracking or looseness around the platform side plates.

What happens at the repair

Champion directs owners to take the bus to a Ricon dealer or service center for the recall work. At that visit, a Champion technician installs supplemental support bumpers on the wheelchair lift platform. If the platform has already started cracking, the platform is replaced instead of repaired. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor, and applies to the affected Ricon wheelchair lifts installed on the included Champion buses.

Timeline

November 19, 2014 NHTSA published the recall
November 21, 2014 Dealer notification began
November 28, 2014 Owner notification mailed
November 30, 2014 Dealer notification ended
November 30, 2014 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 14V742?

Recall 14V742 covers 1,229 2006-2014 Champion transit buses equipped with certain Ricon wheelchair lifts. The lift platform side plate can crack, letting the platform separate from the lift and rest against the lift door. Champion directs owners to a Ricon dealer or service center for the free repair.

What should I do if my 2006-2014 Champion bus is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 14V742. If it is, contact a franchised Champion dealer, Ricon dealer, or Ricon service center to arrange the wheelchair-lift inspection and repair. Reference recall 14V742 when you call.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Champion will have supplemental platform support bumpers installed, and any lift platform that has already started cracking will be replaced free of charge.

What is the safety risk from this Champion wheelchair lift recall?

The safety risk is injury to the lift operator. If the platform side plates crack, the platform can separate from the lift and rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform can fall out.

What if I bought the Champion bus used?

The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your bus is included, then contact Champion customer service at 1-810-724-6474 or a Ricon service center for repair scheduling.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V742000
Champion customer service1-810-724-6474
NHTSA recall #14V742
NHTSA recall # (full)14V742000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →