1996 Orion V: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2003-03-27 (March 27, 2003)

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: 2004-03-23 (March 23, 2004)

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: 2004-11-15 (November 15, 2004)

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." DURING SUBSEQUENT CLOSING OF AN EMERGENCY EXIT THE MOVING WINDOW FRAME INTERFERES WITH THE JAM FRAME STOP LOCATED IN MID SPAN ALONG THE LOWER EDGE OF THE WINDOW FRAME.

Consequence: DURING THE USE OF AN EMERGENCY EXIT WINDOW, A WINDOW MAY NOT OPEN AFTER APPLYING THE REQUIRED FORCES ALLOWING A PERSON TO ESCAPE IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO ALUMINUM BLOCKS EACH ATTACHED BY TWO SCREWS. THE MOVING WINDOW FRAME WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH THE JAM FRAME STOP. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 1, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT ORION AT 905-403-7832, EXT. 3335.

Reported: 2007-02-01 (February 1, 2007)

ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH LIFT-U WHEELCHAIR LIFTS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A PERSON TO WEDGE THEIR FEET UNDER THE SOLID BAR BARRIER LINKAGE.

Consequence: WHILE SITTING IN A WHEELCHAIR, A PERSON WITH NO SHOES AND WHO DOES NOT HAVE CONTROL OF THEIR FEET COULD TWIST THEIR FEET AND GET THEM FORCED UNDER THE LINKAGE WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN INJURY.

Remedy: DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMMERCIAL IS WORKING WITH LIFT-U TO REPAIR THESE BUSES (PLEASE SEE 06E-093). OWNERS WILL RECEIVE A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LIFT-U AT 209-838-2400 OR ORION BUS AT 905-403-7807.

Reported: 2010-01-21 (January 21, 2010)

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: 1997-01-02 (January 2, 1997)

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: 1997-11-14 (November 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: 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.

Reported: 1998-04-17 (April 17, 1998)

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: 1998-09-17 (September 17, 1998)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC ENGINE STARTERS. THE POWER CABLES ARE ROUTED ACROSS THE BACK OF THE ENGINE AND FASTENED TO THE ENGINE BULKHEAD. THE CABLE MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY FASTENED, CHAFFING THE CABLE, AND CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD POSSIBLY START A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Remedy: DEALERS REROUTED THE WIRING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.