Structure: body: door (Champion)
Vehicle recall 02V-059-003. NHTSA received CHAMPION BUS, INC.’s report on Mar 13, 2002.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. NHTSA’s own record is on nhtsa.gov.
The short answer
NHTSA received CHAMPION BUS, INC.’s report on Mar 13, 2002. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, IF THE PANEL IS SEPARATING OR HAS SEPARATED, A PASSENGER COULD FALL FROM THE BUS ONTO THE ROADWAY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH ADHESIVELY BONDED ALUMINUM BUS DOOR PANELS, DUE TO AN IMPERFECT BONDING OF THE DOOR PANEL SKIN TO THE PANEL FRAME, ENVIRONMENTAL MOISTURE MAY INFILTRATE REGIONS OF IMPERFECT BONDING AND CAUSE SEPARATION OF THE FRAME AND DOOR PANEL.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Structure: body: door.
What should you do?
VAPOR WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS TO HAVE THEIR BUSES INSPECTED AND WILL INSTALL MECHANICAL FASTENERS TO ATTACH THE SKINS TO THE FRAME ELEMENTS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VAPOR CORPORATION AT 847-967-8300 OR CHAMPION AT 1-810-724-6474.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 181 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- Champion Busand 1997, 1998 and 1999, before the model years listed here
- Champion CGTand 1999, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by CHAMPION BUS, INC..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
-
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 20, 2026 and checked Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.