Orion VI recalls by model year

Reported: 2003-03-27 (March 27, 2003) · Model years: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001

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: 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.

Reported: 2010-01-21 (January 21, 2010) · Model years: 1995, 2002

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: 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.

Reported: 2010-11-02 (November 2, 2010) · Model years: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000

DAIMLER BUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1995 THROUGH 2000 TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 1996 THROUGH DECEMBER 2000. THESE BUSES ARE CONFIGURED WITH A TAPPED FITTING FOR THE HYDRAULIC WHEELCHAIR RAMP. IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CONNECTED TO THE HYDRAULIC PUMP IS A FITTING WITH AN ADAPTER FOR THE WHEELCHAIR RAMP OPERATION. THE FITTING CAN CRACK AND CAUSE HYDRAULIC FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Consequence: HYDRAULIC FLUIDS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN BE IGNITED BY THE HOT TURBOCHARGER AND CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE.

Remedy: BUS OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON 3, DECEMBER 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER BUSES AT 1-800-716-7566.

Reported: 1997-01-02 (January 2, 1997) · Model years: 1995, 1996

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE THEIR WHEELCHAIR BARRIERS ATTACHED TO THE FLOOR STRUCTURE WITH A BOLT THREADED INTO THE FLOOR STRUCTURE. IN THE CASE OF A FRONTAL CRASH, AT MORE THAN 20 MILES PER HOUR, WITH THE WHEELCHAIR POSITION OCCUPIED, THERE IS A POSSIBLY THAT THE BOLT THREADS TAPPED INTO THE FLOOR STRUCTURE WOULD STRIP ALLOWING MOVEMENT OF THE WHEELCHAIR BARRIER.

Consequence: FAILURE OF THE HARDWARE ATTACHMENT WOULD ALLOW MOVEMENT OF THE WHEELCHAIR BARRIER WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURIES, OR DEATH OF THE DISABLED PERSON OR OTHER PASSENGERS.

Remedy: THE EXISTING WHEELCHAIR BARRIER LEG MOUNTING BOLTS WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW BOLTS, WASHERS AND NUTS.

Reported: 1997-08-28 (August 28, 1997) · Model years: 1996, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LOW FLOOR TRANSIT BUSES. DUE TO MACHINING AND CASTING VARIANCES, TWO OF THE STEERING RELAY ARMS ON THESE VEHICLES CAN FRACTURE.

Consequence: FAILURE OF THE STEERING ARM LEAVES THE BUS WITH NO STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE STEERING ARMS.

Reported: 1998-04-17 (April 17, 1998) · Model years: 1996

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH MAXIBRAKE I ACTUATORS, TYPE 20, TYPE 24, TYPE 30, AND TYPE 36. THESE BRAKE ACTUATORS DO NOT HAVE AN OVERSTROKE INDICATOR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS."

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN LEAD TO REDUCED BRAKE OUTPUT IF THE BRAKES OR NOT PROPERLY ADJUSTED OR WHEN IT IS USED WITHOUT AN AUTOMATIC BRAKE ADJUSTING MECHANISM.

Remedy: MIDLAND WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A MODIFICATION KIT WHICH WILL MAKE THE BRAKE SYSTEM COMPLIANT.

Reported: 1998-07-20 (July 20, 1998) · Model years: 1996, 1997, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES BUILT WITH ZF FRONT AXLES EQUIPPED WITH LUCAS DISC BRAKES. THE BRAKE LEVER CONNECTING THE BRAKE CHAMBER PUSHROD TO THE DISC BRAKE ACTUATOR CAN CONTACT THE AIR BAG SUPPORT GUSSET DURING APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES AND BECOME JAMMED AND WILL NOT RELEASE THE BRAKE WHEN THE DRIVER REMOVES THEIR FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Consequence: SINCE THIS IS A STEERING AXLE, UNWANTED APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO TURN IN THE DIRECTION OF THE LOCKED WHEEL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REWORK THE BRAKE LEVERS ON THE SUBJECT BUSES.

Reported: 1998-12-22 (December 22, 1998) · Model years: 1996, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LOW-FLOOR TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH A CAST STEEL STEERING RELAY ARM. THE STEERING ARMS CAN FAIL WITHOUT WARNING.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN LEAVE THE BUS WITH NO STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE STEERING ARMS.

Reported: 1998-09-21 (September 21, 1998) · Model years: 1997, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH WHEEL CHAIR BARRIERS. THE WHEEL CHAIR BARRIERS ARE ATTACHED TO THE FLOOR STRUCTURE WITH A BOLT THREADED INTO THE FLOOR STRUCTURE. IN THE CASE OF A FRONTAL CRASH, WITH THE WHEEL CHAIR POSITION OCCUPIED, THE BOLT THREADS COULD STRIP ALLOWING MOVEMENT OF THE WHEEL CHAIR BARRIER.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW MOVEMENT OF THE WHEEL CHAIR WHICH COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH, TO THE WHEEL CHAIR OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING WHEEL CHAIR BARRIER LEG MOUNTING BOLTS WITH NEW BOLTS, NUTS AND WASHERS.

Reported: 2001-01-29 (January 29, 2001) · Model years: 1998, 1999, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH VANNER 60 SERIES BATTERY EQUALIZERS. THE EQUALIZER COULD FAIL TO OPERATE PROPERLY AND CAUSE MALFUNCTION OF THE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM.

Consequence: WITHOUT FUSING, THE EQUALIZER MAY MELT, BURN, OR SMOKE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE OR A SMOKE FILLED BUS, THUS NECESSITATING A PASSENGER EVACUATION OF THE BUS. THE FAILURE MODE CAN CAUSE OPERATOR DISTRACTION, AND/OR POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: ORION WILL NOTIFY OWNERS TO INSPECT THEIR BUSES FOR CERTAIN EQUALIZERS BY THE DATE CODE. THE AFFECTED EQUALIZERS WILL BE REPLACED BY VANNER. 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 VANNER AT 1-800-227-6937.

Reported: 2004-03-23 (March 23, 2004) · Model years: 1998

ON CERTAIN BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES ON THE L10G ENGINES, THE ECM DOES NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO DETECT A THROTTLE FAIL-SAFE ENGINE SHUTDOWN COMMAND. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNANTICIPATED, UNCOMMANDED OPEN THROTTLE CONDITION WITHOUT WARNING.

Consequence: IF THIS EVENT OCCURS, THE VEHICLE OPERATOR WILL NOT HAVE CONTROL OF THE ENGINE SPEED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: CUMMINS WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE ECM. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-343-7357 OR ORION AT 1-800-658-2871.

Reported: 2005-02-01 (February 1, 2005) · Model years: 1998

ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL SERIES 50 ENGINES, THE TURBOCHARGER CAN FAIL ALLOWING LUBRICATING OIL TO ENTER THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT THE TURBOCHARGER FAILS, A FIRE MAY OCCUR IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE OR INJURIES.

Remedy: DETROIT DIESEL IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE ENGINE AND INSTALL AN EXHAUST TEMPERATURE SENSOR TO PREVENT THE POSSIBILITY OF AN EXHAUST OR ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DETROIT DIESEL CORPORATION AT 313-592-5791 OR ORION AT 905-403-7832.

Reported: 1998-07-31 (July 31, 1998) · Model years: 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH SUNSOURCE/FAUVER TANDEM HYDRAULIC PUMPS. THE HYDRAULIC PISTON PUMP IS DRIVEN BY THE ENGINE AND A SHAFT OUT OF THE BACK OF THE PUMP PROVIDING POWER TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE SHAFTS ARE CONNECTED TOGETHER WITH A COUPLING. THIS COUPLING IS FITTED WITH TWO RETAINER CLIPS WHICH KEEPS IT CENTERED BETWEEN THE TWO PUMPS. THESE BUSES WERE SHIPPED MISSING THE COUPLING RETAINER CLIPS.

Consequence: EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THE COUPLING CAN DISENGAGE THE TWO PUMP SHAFTS, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING.

Remedy: DEALERS ARE INSPECTING AND RETROFITTING THE COUPLINGS ON THESE PUMPS.

Reported: 2003-02-24 (February 24, 2003) · Model years: 2002

ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL SERIES 50 ENGINE CONFIGURATIONS, A HYDRAULIC MOTOR USED TO DRIVE THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MOTOR HAS TWO HOSES CONNECTED TO IT, INCLUDING A HIGH PRESSURE INPUT HOSE. THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE IS CONSTRUCTED WITH REUSABLE OR CRIMP ENDS. THE HYDRAULIC MOTOR IS LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE BUS, INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE END OF THE HOSE THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE FAN MOTOR HAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE HOSE CONNECTOR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC HOSE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 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 1-905-403-1111.

Reported: 2006-06-14 (June 14, 2006) · Model years: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

ON CERTAIN BUSES EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL SERIES 50G ENGINES, HIGHER THAN EXPECTED TEMPERATURES WILL ALLOW THE LOW PRESSURE NATURAL GAS REGULATOR GASKET TO LEAK COOLANT AND DRIP ONTO THE TERMINALS OF THE BATTERY CHARGING ALTERNATOR.

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT AND THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy: DETROIT DIESEL IS CONDUCTING THE RECALL (PLEASE SEE 06E028000) AND WILL REPAIR THE ENGINES BY REPLACING THE LOW PRESSURE REGULATOR GASKET FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DETROIT DIESEL AT 1-313-592-3708 OR ORION BUS AT 905-403-7832.