CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE." THE HANDLE PULL FORCE EXCEEDS THE 89N FORCE TO RELEASE THE EMERGENCY WINDOW. ADDITIONAL FORCE IS REQUIRED TO RELEASE THE WINDOW.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN OCCUPANT MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY OPENING THE EMERGENCY EXIT WINDOW, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE WINDOWS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 1, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT ORION AT 1-800-492-2116.

98V189000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

Aug 10, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CHALLENGER 2000 MODEL 170 SERIES ALTERNATORS. THE POSITIVE POWER STUD MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEATED IN PLACE CAUSING A LOOSE CONNECTION. THIS LOOSE CONNECTION CAUSES AN OVER-HEAT CONDITION WHEN THE ALTERNATOR IS UNDER A LOAD. ALSO THE MATERIAL USED TO INSULATE THE POWER STUD FROM THE RECTIFIER CAN TEAR AND CAUSE THE POSITIVE POWER STUD TO GROUND TO THE ALTERNATOR CASE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE ALTERNATOR CAN GET HOT ENOUGH TO CATCH FIRE WHICH COULD SPREAD TO OTHER AREAS OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ALTERNATORS.

97V207000 · Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:filling/charging

Nov 14, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) POWERED TRANSIT BUSES. THE SOLENOID VALVE OR CHECK VALVE COULD ALLOW CNG TO FLOW WHEN NOT REQUIRED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSION.

Remedy: PERSONNEL WILL GO TO OWNERS AND REPLACE THE CHANGE OUT OF THE RECALLED SOLENOID VALVES.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

SQ98013 · Battery Cable Abrading Transmission Hose

Opened Jul 16, 1998 · Closed Sep 29, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

ORION'S SERVICE BULLETIN (NOT DATED) POINTS OUT THAT MISSING WIRE/CABLE CLEATS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR A BUS FIRE.THE SERVICE BULLETIN RECOMMENDS ALL BUSES BE INSPECTED TO INSURE THAT CABLES ARE PROPERLY ROUTED AND SECURE.AFTER ANALYSES OF THE DATA OBTAINED, TWO FAILURE MODES WERE IDENTIFIED THAT CAUSED THE FIRES ON THESE BUSES.THIS WAS EVIDENT BY FIRE PATTERNS AND LOCATION OF THE FIRE DAMAGE.ORION BUS CONCURRED AND CONCLUDED ITS INVESTIGATION BY IDENTIFYING SAFETY RECALLS.THEY HAVE FILED SEPARATE SAFETY DEFECT REPORTS AND HAVE BEGUN REPAIRING THE INVOLVED BUSES.NO FURTHER USE OF THE AGENCY RESOURCES APPEAR WARRANTED AT THIS TIME.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION ON THESE MATTERS, IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTACES.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.