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Campaign 15V391 Posted June 19, 2015 1,818 units

2013-2015 Champion Bus Recall 15V391: Seat Belt Webbing

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

Recall 15V391 affects 1,818 2013-2015 Champion transit buses for passenger seat belts that can fray against metal seat frames. Free repair at franchised Champion dealers.

Champion recall 15V391 covers 1,818 2013-2015 transit buses, including American Coach, Spirit, and American Crusader models, because passenger seat belts can rub against the metal seat frame and fray. A frayed belt can fail to properly restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing injury risk; the Champion dealer repair will be free once available.

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What's wrong?

The passenger seat belt webbing on these 2013-2015 Champion transit buses is the woven strap that crosses a seated passenger and locks into the buckle. It is designed to hold the passenger against the seat when the bus stops hard or is involved in a crash. The belt has to slide and latch without being cut, pinched, or worn through.

On the included Champion buses, the passenger seat belts can rub against the metal seat frame. Metal edges wear the webbing as passengers buckle, unbuckle, and ride in the seat. Over time, that rubbing frays the belt material and leaves the seat belt assembly out of compliance with FMVSS 209 for seat belt assemblies.

There is no warning sign before failure. If you inspect the passenger belts and see frayed or worn webbing near the seat frame, treat that belt as a problem and have the recall repair completed.

Who's affected?

Multiple Champion bus lines are listed across the 2013-2015 model years, all tied to the same seat belt component.

2015 Champion American Coach seat belt
2014 Champion Spirit seat belt
2013 Champion American Crusader seat belt
2013 Champion Lf Transport seat belt
2014 Champion American Crusader seat belt
Units affected1,818

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?

A frayed seat belt can fail to restrain the occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. If the belt webbing looks worn or frayed, stop using that seating position and arrange service with the dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Champion dealer once available.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2015 Champion American Coach, Spirit, American Crusader, Lf Transport, Hcac, Ez-Trans, Dfuc, Cts-Re, Cts-Fe, Premier, Hc, Challenger, Crusader, or Defender bus is included in this recall.
  2. Contact a franchised Champion dealer and ask about recall number 15V391.
  3. Schedule the free plastic-sleeve installation that keeps the passenger seat belt webbing from rubbing against the metal seat frame.
  4. Ask the dealer to inspect the passenger seat belts and replace any belt that shows fraying.
  5. Call Champion customer service at 1-810-724-1753 with questions about the recall repair.

What happens at the repair

Once the final dealer repair is available, a Champion technician will install a plastic sleeve over the metal passenger seat frame so the belt webbing no longer rubs against exposed metal. The technician will also inspect the affected passenger seat belts and replace any belt that shows fraying. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Keep the recall notice or VIN ready so the service desk can match the bus to the campaign.

Timeline

June 19, 2015 NHTSA published the recall
September 16, 2015 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 15V391?

Recall 15V391 covers 1,818 2013-2015 Champion transit buses with passenger seat belts that can rub against the metal seat frame and fray. A frayed belt can fail to properly restrain the passenger in a crash, increasing injury risk. Champion dealers install a plastic sleeve and replace frayed belts for free.

What should I do if my 2013-2015 Champion American Coach, Spirit, American Crusader, Lf Transport, Hcac, Ez-Trans, Dfuc, Cts-Re, Cts-Fe, Premier, Hc, Challenger, Crusader, or Defender is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 15V391. If it is, contact a franchised Champion dealer or Champion customer service at 1-810-724-1753 to arrange the seat-frame sleeve installation and any needed seat belt replacement. The repair is free.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Champion dealers will install a plastic sleeve over the metal seat frame and replace any passenger seat belts that show fraying, free of charge.

What is the safety risk from this Champion seat belt recall?

The safety risk is reduced restraint in a crash. If the passenger seat belt webbing frays from rubbing against the metal seat frame, the belt can fail to hold the passenger properly, increasing the risk of injury. The dealer repair addresses the rubbing point and replaces damaged belts.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V391000
Champion customer service1-810-724-1753
NHTSA recall #15V391
NHTSA recall # (full)15V391000

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 →