2009 Orion VII: complaints, problems and recalls

2012 ORION VII: COOLANT HOSE FAILURE IN THE AIR DUCT ABOVE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT HAS FAILED THREE TIMES RESULTING IN HOT COOLANT RAINING DOWN ONTO THE SEATS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10500221 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2009-04-15 (April 15, 2009)

DAIMLER BUSES IS RECALLING 380 MY 2008-2009 VII BUSES CONFIGURED WITH A MOBILE CLIMATE CONTROL (MCC) HEATER AND THOSE WITH A MCC DEFROSTER MANUFACTURER FROM OCTOBER 2008 - MARCH 2009 ONLY. THE BLOWER MOTOR MOUNT SCREWS MAY NOT HAVE THE PROPER TORQUE. IF THE FOUR BLOWER MOTOR MOUNT SCREWS DISCONNECT, THE BRACKET CAN MOVE POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL TERMINAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence: A SHORT CIRCUIT CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: MCC WILL INSPECT THE BUSES FOR INCORRECT TORQUE ON BLOWER MOUNTS AND TORQUE THE SCREWS CORRECTLY AS REQUIRED FREE OF CHARGE. IF THE INSPECTION REVEALS ANY DAMAGE TO THE AFFECTED COMPONENTS, ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WILL BE MADE AS NECESSAY. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER BUSES AT 905-403-7807.

Reported: 2009-06-11 (June 11, 2009)

ORION IS RECALLING 286 MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2009 TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 2007 AND APRIL 2009. THE BOND OF THE GLASS TO THE ALUMINUM FRAME OF THE PASSENGER WINDOWS IS NOT ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO HOLD THE WINDOW ATTACHED TO THE FRAME.

Consequence: THE WINDOW COULD DISLODGE FROM THE BUS WHILE IN OPERATION, POSSIBLY BECOMING A ROAD HAZARD TO OTHER MOTORISTS WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: ORION WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE MOVING WINDOW PORTION WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JULY 15, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HEHR INTERNATIONAL AT 1-989-845-3067 OR ORION AT 1-800-716-7466.

Reported: 2009-08-07 (August 7, 2009)

DAIMLER BUS NORTH AMERICA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2009 ORION VII TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 2007 THROUGH JULY 2009. THE PASSENGER WINDOWS HAVE A TIP-IN TRANSOM WINDOW WHICH IS ATTACHED BY SCREWS. THESE SCREWS MAY LOOSEN AND THE WINDOW MAY DISLODGE AND FALL INTO THE BUS.

Consequence: A COLLAPSING WINDOW COULD INJURE PASSENGERS.

Remedy: AN INTERIM NOTICE WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON OCTOBER 21, 2009 INSTRUCTING THEM TO CHECK THAT THE SCREWS ARE PROPERLY TIGHTENED AND TO INSPECT THEM PERIODICALLY. A PERMANENT REPAIR IS NOW AVAILABLE AND OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED INSTRUCTIONS TO REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. AN OWNER NOTIFICATION ADVISING OWNERS ABOUT THE PERMANENT FREE REMEDY WILL BE MAILED ON OR ABOUT AUGUST 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER BUSES NORTH AMERICA 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.

Reported: 2014-03-05 (March 5, 2014)

Daimler Buses North America (DBNA) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Orion VII transit buses manufactured January 2007 through October 2012 equipped with certain Cummins Westport Model ISL G engines. Condensation in the intake manifold may freeze during cold weather conditions and interfere with the proper operation of the intake manifold pressure sensor.

Consequence: The improper operation of the sensor could induce elevated exhaust temperatures or flames from the exhaust pipe, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire or burn injury to a person near the exhaust pipe.

Remedy: Cummins Inc. and Cummins Wesport Inc. will notify owners, and authorized Cummins service facilities will upload a new ECM calibration, free of charge. The recall began on April 12, 2014. Owners may contact DBNA at 1-905-403-7807 or Cummins Inc. at 1-800-343-7357. Cummins' number for this recall is C1462 (for ISL G engines) or C1461 (for ISX12 G) engines.

Reported: 2015-05-15 (May 15, 2015)

Daimler Buses North America (DBNA) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Orion VII natural gas-powered transit buses manufactured January 1, 2007, to October 1, 2012. Excessive engine crankcase pressures may cause the 90-degree elbow of the vent tube assembly to detach from the crankcase ventilation breather, possibly allowing engine oil to come into contact with hot surfaces.

Consequence: If the engine oil comes into contact with hot surfaces, it can increase the risk of a vehicle fire.

Remedy: Cummins will notify owners on behalf of DBNA, and dealers will secure the ends of the 90-degree elbow. In addition, the electronic control module (ECM) will be reprogrammed with software that can adjust the engine output under misfire conditions to limit crankcase pressures. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2015. Owners may contact DBNA at 1-905-403-7807 or Cummins Inc. at 1-800-343-7357.