RoadVitals

2007 Optima Opus

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest May 13, 2008
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Sep 19, 2013
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2007 Optima Opus, most frequently naming the engine, airbags and electrical categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine872.7%
  • Airbags19.1%
  • Electrical19.1%
  • Interior & seats19.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Sep 19, 2013
4,061 units potentially affected
The defect: North American Bus Industries (NABI) is recalling certain model year 2000-2011 LFW, CLFW, BRT, 2007-2009 Blue Bird L4RE, and 2000-2009 Optima Opus transit buses equipped with Sure Power battery equalizers containing a particular epoxy sealing, aka 'potting', compound. The specific potting compound used in the subject products for insulation was found to be capable of conducting electricity after being exposed to heat.
The risk: Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy: NABI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the equalizers, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on January 27, 2014. Owners may contact NABI at 1-256-831-4296. NABI's recall number is 20136.
North American Bus Industries, Inc.Manufacturer number 20136View on NHTSA.gov

STEERING:COLUMN

May 2, 2012
50 units potentially affected
The defect: NORTH AMERICAN BUS INDUSTRIES (NABI) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 OPTIMA OPUS29 AND OPUS34 MODEL TRANSIT BUSES, MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 8, 2007, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2009. THE PINCH BOLTS IN THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT MAY LOOSEN TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY MAY FALL OUT ALLOWING THE STEERING SHAFT TO SEPARATE.
The risk: SEPARATION OF THE STEERING SHAFT WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: NABI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 7, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NABI AT 1-256-831-4296.
NORTH AMERICAN BUS INDUSTRIES, INC.Manufacturer number 20122View on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT

Dec 29, 2009
2,370 units potentially affected
The defect: NORTH AMERICAN BUS INDUSTRIES, INC. (NABI) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2009 TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2002, AND SEPTEMBER 15, 2009, AND EQUIPPED WITH LUMINATOR HORIZON LED SIDE DESTINATION SIGNS. THE CONNECTOR BOARD CAN CORRODE DUE TO AN ACCUMULATION OF MOISTURE UNDER THE CONNECTOR.
The risk: THE CORROSION COULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT THAT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: NABI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND LUMINATOR WILL REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE LUMINATOR'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-054. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LUMINATOR AT 1-972-516-3033 OR NABI AT 1-256-831-4296.
NORTH AMERICAN BUS INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed May 13, 2008
Fire reported

WE PURCHASED A FLEET OF 8 25-PASSENGER BUSES FROM NABI, WHO PURCHASED OPITMA BUS. THEY RECEIVED THE BID BECAUSE THEY COULD GUARANTEE DELIVERY BY THE FIRST PART OF JULY. ON AUG 30, THE FIRST BUSES STARTED TO ARRIVE AND CONTINUED COMING IN OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS. 2 OF THE BUSES NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINES THAT BLEW UP ON THE WAY FROM THE FACTORY TO DELIVERY. MULTIPLE AND ONGOING PROBLEMS SIDELINED THE BUSES TO THE POINT WHERE WE COULD NEITHER ACCEPT THEM NOR OPERATE THEM. AFTER TECHNICIANS WORKED ON THE BUSES, WE ACCEPTED THEM BY THE END OF DEC. TO ENABLE NABI TO GET PAID. THROUGH THE MONTH OF JAN, WE CONTINUED TO FINE TUNE THE BUSES. FINALLY, WE STARTED ROAD TESTING THEM ON FEB. 19. ON MARCH 21, ONE OF THE BUSES CAUGHT FIRE AND NEARLY BURNED TO THE GROUND. AFTER DISABLING THE COMPONENT THOUGHT TO BE THE CULPRIT, WE CONTINUED TO ROAD TEST THE BUSES. IN APRIL, WE HAD ANOTHER BUS CATCH FIRE IN A DIFFERENT AREA OF THE BUS. AGAIN, ALL BUSES HAVE BEEN DEADLINED. IN ADDITION, THE NEW BUSES, ALL WITH LESS THAT 4,000 MILES HAVE BEEN TOWED FROM THE OPEN ROAD 4 TIMES WHEN THEY HAVE FAILED. NABI HAS SENT 3 TECHNICIANS OUT AND THE BUSES CONTINUE TO FAIL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10227586
Incident
Aug 30, 2005
Mileage
2,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 13, 2008
Fire reported1 injury reported

WE PURCHASED A FLEET OF 8 25-PASSENGER BUSES FROM NABI, WHO PURCHASED OPITMA BUS. THEY RECEIVED THE BID BECAUSE THEY COULD GUARANTEE DELIVERY BY THE FIRST PART OF JULY. ON AUG 30, THE FIRST BUSES STARTED TO ARRIVE AND CONTINUED COMING IN OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS. 2 OF THE BUSES NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINES THAT BLEW UP ON THE WAY FROM THE FACTORY TO DELIVERY. MULTIPLE AND ONGOING PROBLEMS SIDELINED THE BUSES TO THE POINT WHERE WE COULD NEITHER ACCEPT THEM NOR OPERATE THEM. AFTER TECHNICIANS WORKED ON THE BUSES, WE ACCEPTED THEM BY THE END OF DEC. TO ENABLE NABI TO GET PAID. THROUGH THE MONTH OF JAN, WE CONTINUED TO FINE TUNE THE BUSES. FINALLY, WE STARTED ROAD TESTING THEM ON FEB. 19. ON MARCH 21, ONE OF THE BUSES CAUGHT FIRE AND NEARLY BURNED TO THE GROUND. AFTER DISABLING THE COMPONENT THOUGHT TO BE THE CULPRIT, WE CONTINUED TO ROAD TEST THE BUSES. IN APRIL, WE HAD ANOTHER BUS CATCH FIRE IN A DIFFERENT AREA OF THE BUS. AGAIN, ALL BUSES HAVE BEEN DEADLINED. IN ADDITION, THE NEW BUSES, ALL WITH LESS THAT 4,000 MILES HAVE BEEN TOWED FROM THE OPEN ROAD 4 TIMES WHEN THEY HAVE FAILED. NABI HAS SENT 3 TECHNICIANS OUT AND THE BUSES CONTINUE TO FAIL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10227585
Incident
Aug 30, 2007
Mileage
2,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 13, 2008

WE PURCHASED A FLEET OF 8 25-PASSENGER BUSES FROM NABI, WHO PURCHASED OPTIMA BUS. THEY RECEIVED THE BID BECAUSE THEY COULD GUARANTEE DELIVERY BY THE FIRST PART OF JULY. ON AUG 30, THE FIRST BUSES STARTED TO ARRIVE AND CONTINUED COMING IN OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS. 2 OF THE BUSES NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINES THAT BLEW UP ON THE WAY FROM THE FACTORY TO DELIVERY. MULTIPLE AND ONGOING PROBLEMS SIDELINED THE BUSES TO THE POINT WHERE WE COULD NEITHER ACCEPT THEM NOR OPERATE THEM. AFTER TECHNICIANS WORKED ON THE BUSES, WE ACCEPTED THEM BY THE END OF DEC. TO ENABLE NABI TO GET PAID. THROUGH THE MONTH OF JAN, WE CONTINUED TO FINE TUNE THE BUSES. FINALLY, WE STARTED ROAD TESTING THEM ON FEB. 19. ON MARCH 21, ONE OF THE BUSES CAUGHT FIRE AND NEARLY BURNED TO THE GROUND. AFTER DISABLING THE COMPONENT THOUGHT TO BE THE CULPRIT, WE CONTINUED TO ROAD TEST THE BUSES. IN APRIL, WE HAD ANOTHER BUS CATCH FIRE IN A DIFFERENT AREA OF THE BUS. AGAIN, ALL BUSES HAVE BEEN DEADLINED. IN ADDITION, THE NEW BUSES, ALL WITH LESS THAT 4,000 MILES HAVE BEEN TOWED FROM THE OPEN ROAD 4 TIMES WHEN THEY HAVE FAILED. NABI HAS SENT 3 TECHNICIANS OUT AND THE BUSES CONTINUE TO FAIL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10227584
Incident
Aug 30, 2007
Mileage
2,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 13, 2008

WE PURCHASED A FLEET OF 8 25-PASSENGER BUSES FROM NABI, WHO BOUGHT OUR OPTIMA BUS. THEY RECEIVED THE BID BECAUSE THEY COULD GUARANTEE DELIVERY BY THE FIRST PART OF JULY. ON AUG. 30, THE FIRST BUSES STARTED COMING IN AND CONTINUED COMING IN OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS. 2 OF THE BUSES HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINES THAT BLEW UP ON THE WAY FROM THE FACTORY TO DELIVERY. MULTIPLE AND ONGOING PROBLEMS SIDELINED THE BUSES TO THE POINT WHERE WE COULD NOT ACCEPT THEM OR OPERATE THEM. AFTER TECHNICIANS WORKED ON THE BUSES, WE ACCEPTED THEM BY THE END OF DECEMBER TO ENABLE THE COMPANY TO GET PAID. THROUGH THE MONTH OF JAN., WE CONTINUED TO FINE TUNE THE PROBLEMS. FINALLY, WE STARTED ROAD TESTING THEM ON FEB. 19. ON MARCH 21, WE HAD ONE CATCH FIRE AND NEARLY BURN TO THE GROUND. AFTER DISABLING THE COMPONENT THOUGHT TO BE THE CULPRIT, WE CONTINUED TO ROAD TEST THE BUSES. IN APRIL WE HAD ANOTHER FIRE IN A DIFFERENT AREA OF THE BUS. AGAIN ALL BUSES HAVE BEEN DEADLINED. IN ADDITION, THE NEW BUSES, ALL WITH LESS THAN 4,000 MILES, HAVE BEEN TOWED FROM THE OPEN ROAD 4 TIMES WHEN THEY HAVE FAILED. NABI HAS SENT 3 TECHNICIANS OUT AND THE BUSES CONTINUE TO FAIL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10227579
Incident
Aug 30, 2005
Mileage
2,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 13, 2008

WE PURCHASED A FLEET OF 8 25-PASSENGER BUSES FROM NABI, WHO BOUGHT OUR OPTIMA BUS. THEY RECEIVED THE BID BECAUSE THEY COULD GUARANTEE DELIVERY BY THE FIRST PART OF JULY. ON AUG. 30, THE FIRST BUSES STARTED COMING IN AND CONTINUED COMING IN OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS. 2 OF THE BUSES HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINES THAT BLEW UP ON THE WAY FROM THE FACTORY TO DELIVERY. MULTIPLE AND ONGOING PROBLEMS SIDELINED THE BUSES TO THE POINT WHERE WE COULD NOT ACCEPT THEM OR OPERATE THEM. AFTER TECHNICIANS WORKED ON THE BUSES, WE ACCEPTED THEM BY THE END OF DECEMBER TO ENABLE THE COMPANY TO GET PAID. THROUGH THE MONTH OF JAN., WE CONTINUED TO FINE TUNE THE PROBLEMS. FINALLY, WE STARTED ROAD TESTING THEM ON FEB. 19. ON MARCH 21, WE HAD ONE CATCH FIRE AND NEARLY BURN TO THE GROUND. AFTER DISABLING THE COMPONENT THOUGHT TO BE THE CULPRIT, WE CONTINUED TO ROAD TEST THE BUSES. IN APRIL WE HAD ANOTHER FIRE IN A DIFFERENT AREA OF THE BUS. AGAIN ALL BUSES HAVE BEEN DEADLINED. IN ADDITION, THE NEW BUSES, ALL WITH LESS THAN 4,000 MILES, HAVE BEEN TOWED FROM THE OPEN ROAD 4 TIMES WHEN THEY HAVE FAILED. NABI HAS SENT 3 TECHNICIANS OUT AND THE BUSES CONTINUE TO FAIL. IN ADDITION, THE SERIAL ENGINE NUMBER FOR THIS BUS BELONGS TO ANOTHER AGENCY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10227577
Incident
Aug 30, 2007
Mileage
2,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 13, 2008

WE PURCHASED A FLEET OF 8 25-PASSENGER BUSES FROM NABI, WHO BOUGHT OUR OPTIMA BUS. THEY RECEIVED THE BID BECAUSE THEY COULD GUARANTEE DELIVERY BY THE FIRST PART OF JULY. ON AUG. 30, THE FIRST BUSES STARTED COMING IN AND CONTINUED COMING IN OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS. 2 OF THE BUSES HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINES THAT BLEW UP ON THE WAY FROM THE FACTORY TO DELIVERY. MULTIPLE AND ONGOING PROBLEMS SIDELINED THE BUSES TO THE POINT WHERE WE COULD NOT ACCEPT THEM OR OPERATE THEM. AFTER TECHNICIANS WORKED ON THE BUSES, WE ACCEPTED THEM BY THE END OF DECEMBER TO ENABLE THE COMPANY TO GET PAID. THROUGH THE MONTH OF JAN., WE CONTINUED TO FINE TUNE THE PROBLEMS. FINALLY, WE STARTED ROAD TESTING THEM ON FEB. 19. ON MARCH 21, WE HAD ONE CATCH FIRE AND NEARLY BURN TO THE GROUND. AFTER DISABLING THE COMPONENT THOUGHT TO BE THE CULPRIT, WE CONTINUED TO ROAD TEST THE BUSES. IN APRIL WE HAD ANOTHER FIRE IN A DIFFERENT AREA OF THE BUS. AGAIN ALL BUSES HAVE BEEN DEADLINED. IN ADDITION, THE NEW BUSES, ALL WITH LESS THAN 4,000 MILES, HAVE BEEN TOWED FROM THE OPEN ROAD 4 TIMES WHEN THEY HAVE FAILED. NABI HAS SENT 3 TECHNICIANS OUT AND THE BUSES CONTINUE TO FAIL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10227576
Incident
Aug 30, 2007
Mileage
2,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 13, 2008

WE PURCHASED A FLEET OF 8 25-PASSENGER BUSES FROM NABI, WHO BOUGHT OUR OPTIMA BUS. THEY RECEIVED THE BID BECAUSE THEY COULD GUARANTEE DELIVERY BY THE FIRST PART OF JULY. ON AUG. 30, THE FIRST BUSES STARTED COMING IN AND CONTINUED COMING IN OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS. 2 OF THE BUSES HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINES THAT BLEW UP ON THE WAY FROM THE FACTORY TO DELIVERY. MULTIPLE AND ONGOING PROBLEMS SIDELINED THE BUSES TO THE POINT WHERE WE COULD NOT ACCEPT THEM OR OPERATE THEM. AFTER TECHNICIANS WORKED ON THE BUSES, WE ACCEPTED THEM BY THE END OF DECEMBER TO ENABLE THE COMPANY TO GET PAID. THROUGH THE MONTH OF JAN., WE CONTINUED TO FINE TUNE THE PROBLEMS. FINALLY, WE STARTED ROAD TESTING THEM ON FEB. 19. ON MARCH 21, WE HAD ONE CATCH FIRE AND NEARLY BURN TO THE GROUND. AFTER DISABLING THE COMPONENT THOUGHT TO BE THE CULPRIT, WE CONTINUED TO ROAD TEST THE BUSES. IN APRIL WE HAD ANOTHER FIRE IN A DIFFERENT AREA OF THE BUS. AGAIN ALL BUSES HAVE BEEN DEADLINED. IN ADDITION, THE NEW BUSES, ALL WITH LESS THAN 4,000 MILES, HAVE BEEN TOWED FROM THE OPEN ROAD 4 TIMES WHEN THEY HAVE FAILED. NABI HAS SENT 3 TECHNICIANS OUT AND THE BUSES CONTINUE TO FAIL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10227575
Incident
Aug 30, 2007
Mileage
2,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed May 13, 2008
1 injury reported

WE PURCHASED A FLEET OF 8 25-PASSENGER BUSES FROM NABI, WHO BOUGHT OUR OPTIMA BUS. THEY RECEIVED THE BID BECAUSE THEY COULD GUARANTEE DELIVERY BY THE FIRST PART OF JULY. ON AUG. 30, THE FIRST BUSES STARTED COMING IN AND CONTINUED COMING IN OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS. 2 OF THE BUSES HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINES THAT BLEW UP ON THE WAY FROM THE FACTORY TO DELIVERY. MULTIPLE AND ONGOING PROBLEMS SIDELINED THE BUSES TO THE POINT WHERE WE COULD NOT ACCEPT THEM OR OPERATE THEM. AFTER TECHNICIANS WORKED ON THE BUSES, WE ACCEPTED THEM BY THE END OF DECEMBER TO ENABLE THE COMPANY TO GET PAID. THROUGH THE MONTH OF JAN., WE CONTINUED TO FINE TUNE THE PROBLEMS. FINALLY, WE STARTED ROAD TESTING THEM ON FEB. 19. ON MARCH 21, WE HAD ONE CATCH FIRE AND NEARLY BURN TO THE GROUND. AFTER DISABLING THE COMPONENT THOUGHT TO BE THE CULPRIT, WE CONTINUED TO ROAD TEST THE BUSES. IN APRIL WE HAD ANOTHER FIRE IN A DIFFERENT AREA OF THE BUS. AGAIN ALL BUSES HAVE BEEN DEADLINED. IN ADDITION, THE NEW BUSES, ALL WITH LESS THAN 4,000 MILES, HAVE BEEN TOWED FROM THE OPEN ROAD 4 TIMES WHEN THEY HAVE FAILED. NABI HAS SENT 3 TECHNICIANS OUT AND THE BUSES CONTINUE TO FAIL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10227574
Incident
Aug 30, 2007
Mileage
2,000 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Optima Opus by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009030
2008130
2007Viewing840
2006010
2005010
2004010
2003010
2002010
2001010
2000010

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.