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Campaign 15V757 Posted November 16, 2015 1,338 units

2006-2015 Champion Bus Recall 15V757: Wheelchair Lift Arms

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published May 31, 2026

Recall 15V757 affects 1,338 2006-2015 Champion transit buses for wheelchair-lift link arms with oversized pivot holes. Repair is free at any franchised Champion dealer.

Champion is recalling 1,338 2006-2015 transit buses, including Challenger, Defender, and Corporal models, because certain wheelchair lift folding link arms have oversized pivot holes that let bearings move out of position. If the stowed platform has excessive movement, the platform mounting can fail and the wheelchair lift platform can fall out when the doors open; Champion dealers will complete the free repair.

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What's wrong?

The wheelchair lift on included 2006-2015 Champion buses is the platform system that raises and lowers a wheelchair user between the ground and the bus floor. Its folding link arms guide that platform through the lift cycle and hold the assembly steady when the lift is stowed for travel.

On these buses, certain Ricon S-Series lifts were built with pivot holes in the folding link arms that are larger than specified. Those holes let the pivot bushings or bearings move out of position. Once that happens, the stowed lift can oscillate as the bus moves, and that motion stresses the link arms near the pivot area until cracks form.

There is no warning sign before failure. A driver or operator should not rely on a visible crack or unusual lift movement as the first sign that the lift is safe to keep using.

Who's affected?

Spans multiple Champion bus models across the 2006-2015 model years, all tied to the same adaptive mobility equipment component.

2010 Champion Corporal Equipment adaptive/mobility
2011 Champion Corporal Equipment adaptive/mobility
2012 Champion Corporal Equipment adaptive/mobility
2015 Champion Corporal Equipment adaptive/mobility
2006 Champion Challenger Equipment adaptive/mobility
Units affected1,338

A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.

What's the safety risk?

If the lift bearings shift out of position, the stowed platform can move too much and the platform mounting can fail. The wheelchair lift platform can fall out when the doors are opened, creating an injury risk for the lift operator. Keep people clear of the lift area and schedule the inspection and repair. Repair is free at any franchised Champion dealer.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2006-2015 Champion Corporal, Challenger, American Coach, Crusader, American Crusader, American, Platinum Shuttle, Hc American, Cts-Re, Cts-Fe, Stacked Rail, or Defender bus is included in this recall.
  2. Contact a franchised Champion dealer to schedule the free wheelchair-lift inspection and replacement of damaged link arms, displaced bearings, or cracked platform parts.
  3. Reference recall number 15V757 and Champion recall 15E-068 when you call.
  4. Bring the recall notice if Champion mailed one to your business or registered address.
  5. Avoid using the affected wheelchair lift until Champion or Ricon confirms the link arms, bearings, and platform are repaired.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Champion technician inspects the wheelchair lift link arms for damage and displaced bearings, then checks the lift platform for cracks. Any damaged link arm, bearing, platform, or related lift part is replaced free of charge under the recall. Champion has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for the same repair before the recall work was completed. Ask Champion customer service how to submit prior repair paperwork under that plan.

ReimbursementReimbursement available

Timeline

November 16, 2015 NHTSA published the recall
November 20, 2015 Dealer notification began
December 20, 2015 Dealer notification ended
December 21, 2015 Owner notification mailed
June 9, 2016 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 15V757?

Recall 15V757 covers 1,338 2006-2015 Champion transit buses with certain Ricon wheelchair lifts. The lift link-arm pivot holes can let bearings move out of position, leading to platform mounting failure. Champion and Ricon will inspect the lift and replace damaged parts for free.

What should I do if my 2006-2015 Champion bus is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 15V757. If it is, contact a franchised Champion dealer or Champion customer service at 1-810-724-1753 to arrange the wheelchair lift inspection and repair. Reference recall 15V757 and Champion recall number 15E-068 when you call.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Champion and Ricon will inspect the wheelchair lift link arms, check the platform for cracks, and replace damaged parts free of charge.

What is the safety risk?

The safety risk is a wheelchair lift platform falling out of the bus when the doors are opened. If the link-arm bearings move out of position, the stowed platform can have excessive movement and the platform mounting can fail, increasing injury risk for the lift operator.

What if my Champion bus already had the earlier wheelchair lift recall repair?

It still needs to be checked for recall 15V757. Champion states that buses and wheelchair lifts repaired under the similar recall in 2014 remain affected by this recall. Check your VIN and ask the dealer to complete the current inspection and any needed free parts replacement.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V757000
Champion customer service1-810-724-1753
NHTSA recall #15V757
NHTSA recall # (full)15V757000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →