- The problem
- Champion bus is recalling certain model year 2003 through 2010 transit buses manufactured between january 2003 and august 2009 equipped with luminator horizon led side destination signs. The connector board can corrode due to an accumulation of moisture under the connector.
- The risk
- A short could occur, possibly causing smoke and fire.
- The fix
- Champion bus will notify owners and luminator will repair the buses free of charge. Please see luminator's defect report 09e-054. The safety recall began on december 11, 2009. Owners may contact luminator at 1-972-516-3033 or champion bus at 1-800-331-5761.
Vehicle safety record
2003 Champion Defender Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 2003 Champion Defender have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in September 2009 for the interior lighting.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical Defender year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
2003 Champion Defender recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- On certain buses equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.
- The risk
- In the event of a vehicle crash, the wheelchair may not be adequately secured possibly resulting in injuries to a wheelchair occupant.
- The fix
- Sure-lok is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Dealers will inspect and replace the wheelchair securement retractors as necessary. Owners should contact sure-lock at 1-908-231-1804 or champion at 810-724-6474.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 2003 Champion Defender yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Champion Defender: every year compared
All Defender yearsQuestions about the 2003 Champion Defender
Does the 2003 Champion Defender have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2003 Champion Defender: interior lighting (September 2009); equipment adaptive / mobility (November 2004). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 2003 Champion Defender had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 2003 Champion Defender a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 70 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Champion Defender year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
What should I do if my 2003 Champion Defender has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data