2003 Orion V: complaints, problems and recalls

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: 2005-03-15 (March 15, 2005)

ON CERTAIN BUSES, AN INCORRECT WINDOW RETENTION CLIP WAS INSTALLED ALLOWING THE EMERGENCY EXIT WINDOW TO OPEN WITH LITTLE OUTWARD FORCE.

Consequence: A PASSENGER COULD FALL OUT OF THE BUS INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDOW RETENTION CLIPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 4, 2005. ALL OWNERS HAVE BEEN CONTACTED. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ORION AT 1-905-403-7832.

Reported: 2006-06-14 (June 14, 2006)

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.

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

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: 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.

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: 2013-09-27 (September 27, 2013)

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: 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.