1996 Orion VI: 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: 2010-11-02 (November 2, 2010)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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.