2012-2018 Champion Multi-Model Recall 18V573: Lift Cam

Recall 18V573 affects 219 2012-2018 Champion buses with wheelchair lift cams that let platforms rise too high. Repair is free at any franchised Champion dealer.

What's wrong?

The wheelchair lift on affected 2012-2018 Champion buses raises and lowers a passenger platform between the ground and the vehicle floor. Its positioning input cam is part of the lift's position-sensing system. It helps the lift stop when the platform reaches floor height, so the platform lines up with the doorway.

In NHTSA campaign 18V573, the problem is that the cam can fail while the lift is in use. When that happens, the lift no longer stops at the intended height and the platform can travel higher than the vehicle floor. The filing does not identify a deeper mechanical cause for the cam failure, but the failure changes where the lift stops during passenger loading or unloading.

There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or operator should not expect a light, sound, or visible change before the lift rises past the proper floor height.

Who's affected?

Spans Defender, American Crusader, American Coach, Challenger, American S2, Impulse, and Crusader buses across the 2012-2018 model years, all tied to adaptive or mobility equipment.

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?

If the wheelchair lift platform stops above the vehicle floor, the wheelchair user can tip inward toward the vehicle while exiting. That increases injury risk during loading or unloading. Stop using the lift if it does not align with the floor and contact the dealer for repair guidance. Repair will be free at any franchised Champion dealer once available.

What should I do?

1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2018 Champion Defender, American Crusader, American Coach, Challenger, American S2, Impulse, or Crusader is included in this recall.
2. Contact Champion customer service at 1-810-724-1753 to confirm repair timing for recall number 18V573.
3. Ask about the free wheelchair-lift cam replacement that keeps the platform from traveling above the vehicle floor.
4. Bring the recall notice if Champion mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V573 when you call.
5. Keep passengers clear of the wheelchair lift until Champion confirms the cam repair is complete.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Champion technician replaces the wheelchair lift's injection molded positioning cam with an aluminum machined cam. The source remedy identifies that cam replacement as the fix, with parts and labor covered by the recall once the dealer repair is available. Champion has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for this repair. Contact Champion customer service or Ricon customer service and ask what documentation they need for a reimbursement claim.

Timeline

Frequently asked questions

More information

Source documents

• Download Recall Report (PDF) · RCLRPT
• Download Quarterly Report (PDF) · RCLQRT
• Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF) · RCAK

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →