2000 Orion V: complaints, problems and recalls

APRIL 21, 2003 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION NSA-10.01, 400 7TH STREET, SW WASHINGTON, DC 20590 SUBJECT: ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) DEFECT ?? 2000 MODEL ORION V TRANSIT BUSES THE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT OF DENVER, COLORADO OPERATES A SUBFLEET OF 303 MODEL YEAR 2000 ORION V TRANSIT BUSES. THESE BUSES ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE MERITOR WABCO ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. ON OCTOBER 29, 2002 DURING A HEAVY SNOWSTORM, 29 OF…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016261 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2001-01-29 (January 29, 2001)

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: 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: 2004-11-15 (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: 2005-02-28 (February 28, 2005)

ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH EATON POWER STEERING PUMPS, THE PORT PLUG ON THE PUMP WAS INCOMPLETELY SEALED AND LEAKAGE OF THE HYDRAULIC FLUID CAN OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A REDUCTION IN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST.

Consequence: THE DRIVER WILL BE SUBJECTED TO HARD TURNING OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND LOSS OF POWER ASSIST IN THE STEERING SYSTEM, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: EATON IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EATON AT 1-888-258-0222 OR ORION BUS AT 905-403-7832.

Reported: 2009-10-20 (October 20, 2009)

DAIMLER BUSES IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000 THROUGH 2008 ORION TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH LIFT-U WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THE LIFTS ARE EQUIPPED WITH A LOGIC BOARD ASSEMBLY FOR THE WHEELCHAIR LIFT CONTROL BOX, P/NOS. 373-0226 AND 373-0265. THE OUTBOARD RAMP BARRIER COULD FOLD IN TOWARD A LIFT PASSENGER AND PINCH, PRESS, OR CRUSH THE PASSENGER'S FEET.

Consequence: THE LIFT PASSENGER COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED.

Remedy: ORION WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE MADE BY LIFT-U FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE LIFT-U'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-051. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LIFT-U AT 1-209-838-2400 OR ORION AT 1-800-716-7466.

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.