Daimler Buses North America Ltd. (DBNA) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Orion V and model year 2002-2010 VII buses equipped with Sure Power equalizers and DC-DC Converters. The specific potting compound used in the equalizers and convertors for insulation was found to be capable of conducting electricity after being exposed to heat.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: DBNA will notify owners and Sure Power representatives will change out the equalizer and/or convertor, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during November 2014. Owners may contact DBNA at 1-905-403-1111.
DAIMLER BUSES IS RECALLING CERTAIN ORION TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH THE MORSE REMOTE THROTTLE CONTROL. THE MORSE REMOTE THROTTLE CONTROL PANEL IS LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND A SWITCH ON IT IS LABELED, "THROTTLE"; "OFF" OR "FRONT" AND "ON" OR "REAR" SELECTING THE ACTIVE ENGINE CONTROL STATION. IF A PERSON OPERATING THE ENGINE FROM THE "REAR" POSITION (AT THE ENGINE) FAILS TO PLACE THE SWITCH IN THE "OFF" OR "FRONT" POSITION AND THE ENGINE RPM WAS SET TO ABOVE IDLE DURING MAINTENANCE FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN THE BUS IS STARTED FROM THE DRIVER'S STATION THE ENGINE COULD CHANGE TO THE HIGHER RPM RESULTING IN UNWANTED ENGINE POWER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BUS COULD ACCELERATE AT A HIGHER RATE THAN ANTICIPATED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DAIMLER WILL PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS TO MODIFY THE WIRING TO THE MORSE THROTTLE CONTROL SWITCH. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER BUSES AT 1-800-716-7466.
DAIMLER BUSES OF NORTH AMERICA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2009 ORION TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH LUMINATOR HORIZON LED SIDE DESTINATION SIGNS. THE CONNECTOR BOARD CAN CORRODE DUE TO AN ACCUMULATION OF MOISTURE UNDER THE CONNECTOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A SHORT COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY CAUSING SMOKE AND A FIRE.
Remedy: ORION WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE BUSES WILL BE REPAIRED BY LUMINATOR FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE LUMINATOR'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-054. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LUMINATOR AT 1-972-516-3033 OR ORION AT 1-800-716-7466.
ON CERTAIN COMMERCIAL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH VAPOR DOOR ASSEMBLIES, THE TWO PIECE CURVED CONNECTING RODS WHEN USED AS AN ELEMENT OF THE DOOR ACTUATION LINKAGE IN CONJUNCTION WITH A VAPOR MEDIUM PNEUMATIC DIFFERENTIAL ENGINE, MAY BE SUBJECT TO FATIGUE FAILURE RESULTING IN BENDING OR BREAKING OF THE CONNECTING ROD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A BROKEN CONNECTING ROD CAN ALLOW THE DOOR PANEL TO MOVE FREELY IN AN UNCONTROLLED MANNER, LEAVING PASSENGERS INSIDE THE VEHICLE UNPROTECTED BY THE DOOR PANEL AND ENABLING A PROTRUDING DOOR PANEL TO STRIKE PERSONS OR OBJECTS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: ORION IS WORKING WITH VAPOR BUS INTERNATIONAL TO NOTIFY OWNERS AND HAVE THE REPAIR PERFORMED ON THEIR VEHICLES. THE REMEDY CONSISTS OF REPLACING THE TWO PIECE CONNECTING ROD WITH A ONE PIECE CONNECTING ROD. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ORION BUS AT 905-403-7832 OR VAPOR AT 847-777-6400.
ON CERTAIN BUSES, THE BATTERY STORAGE SLIDING TRAY LOCKING TOGGLE WAS NOT TIGHTENED SUFFICIENTLY. THE BATTERY DOOR CAN OPEN ALLOWING THE BATTERY TRAY TO SLIDE OUT FROM THE STORED POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE AN OBSTACLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ADD A LOCKING PIN TO KEEP THE BATTERY TRAY FROM SLIDING. ORION HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT ORION AT 1-905-403-7832.
CERTAIN BUSES EQUIPPED WITH COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS FUEL CONTAINERS, MODEL ALT823D, P/N 1273147, DO NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 304, 'COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS FUEL CONTAINER INTEGRITY.' THE NGV CONTAINER'S PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES FAIL TO TIMELY AND FULLY ACTIVATE AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE FIRE WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM ROOF ENCLOSURE REMOVED OR OPENED, THE FUEL CONTAINER'S PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES MAY NOT ACTIVATE AS THEY ARE DESIGNED TO DO AND THE FUEL CONTAINER COULD RUPTURE AND EXPLODE. SUCH AN EXPLOSION COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH TO OCCUPANTS OF THE BUS OR TO PERSONS OUTSIDE THE BUS.
Remedy: STRUCTURAL COMPOSITES WILL NOTIFY THE ORION BUS OWNERS. STRUCTURAL COMPOSITES HAS NOT YET PROVIDED THE AGENCY WITH A FINALIZED REMEDY. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SCI AT 1-909-444-2503 OR ORION AT 1-905-403-7832.
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
1
PE04074 · Hydraulic Fan Fittings Leaking
Opened Nov 2, 2004 · Closed Dec 17, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AFTER ODI VISITED A TRANSIT FLEET FACILITY AND OBSERVED A BUS THAT HAD EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.AFTER INSPECTING SIMILAR MODEL BUSES, SIX OTHER BUSES WERE FOUND TO HAVE LEAKING HYDRAULIC HOSES, RESULTING IN OILSPRAYINGINTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ONTO HOT ENGINE EXHAUST COMPONENTS. ODI OPENED THE INVESTIGATION TO GATHER SPECIFIC INFORMATION CONCERNING THE HOSES, FITTINGSAND TO UNDERSTAND THE INFLUENCE OF HYDRAULIC LEAKAGE AS A CATALYST FOR BUS FIRES. AS A RESULT OF ODI?S INVESTIGATION, ORION HAS AGREED TO INITATE A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL RIGID PIPE DESIGN WITH A FLEXIBLE HOSE DESIGN.A COPY OF THE RECALL IS ATTACHED. THIS ACTION RESOLVES THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
2002 Orion Vii Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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