RoadVitals

1997 Orion Ii

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
0
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.
3
Latest Mar 27, 2003
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.
1
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Orion Ii. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 NHTSA investigation names it.

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

Safety recalls

3 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
03V120000

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

Mar 27, 2003
4,191 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN OCCUPANT MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY OPENING THE EMERGENCY EXIT WINDOW, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
The 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.
ORION BUS INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
98V189000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

Aug 10, 1998
45 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CHALLENGER 2000 MODEL 170 SERIES ALTERNATORS. THE POSITIVE POWER STUD MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEATED IN PLACE CAUSING A LOOSE CONNECTION. THIS LOOSE CONNECTION CAUSES AN OVER-HEAT CONDITION WHEN THE ALTERNATOR IS UNDER A LOAD. ALSO THE MATERIAL USED TO INSULATE THE POWER STUD FROM THE RECTIFIER CAN TEAR AND CAUSE THE POSITIVE POWER STUD TO GROUND TO THE ALTERNATOR CASE.
The risk: THE ALTERNATOR CAN GET HOT ENOUGH TO CATCH FIRE WHICH COULD SPREAD TO OTHER AREAS OF THE VEHICLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ALTERNATORS.
ORION BUS INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
97V207000

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLING/CHARGING

Nov 14, 1997
211 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) POWERED TRANSIT BUSES. THE SOLENOID VALVE OR CHECK VALVE COULD ALLOW CNG TO FLOW WHEN NOT REQUIRED.
The risk: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSION.
The remedy: PERSONNEL WILL GO TO OWNERS AND REPLACE THE CHANGE OUT OF THE RECALLED SOLENOID VALVES.
ORION BUS INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

SQ98013ClosedInvestigation

BATTERY CABLE ABRADING TRANSMISSION HOSE

Opened Jul 16, 1998
Closed Sep 29, 1998

ORION'S SERVICE BULLETIN (NOT DATED) POINTS OUT THAT MISSING WIRE/CABLE CLEATS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR A BUS FIRE.THE SERVICE BULLETIN RECOMMENDS ALL BUSES BE INSPECTED TO INSURE THAT CABLES ARE PROPERLY ROUTED AND SECURE.AFTER ANALYSES OF THE DATA OBTAINED, TWO FAILURE MODES WERE IDENTIFIED THAT CAUSED THE FIRES ON THESE BUSES.THIS WAS EVIDENT BY FIRE PATTERNS AND LOCATION OF THE FIRE DAMAGE.ORION BUS CONCURRED AND CONCLUDED ITS INVESTIGATION BY IDENTIFYING SAFETY RECALLS.THEY HAVE FILED SEPARATE SAFETY DEFECT REPORTS AND HAVE BEGUN REPAIRING THE INVOLVED BUSES.NO FURTHER USE OF THE AGENCY RESOURCES APPEAR WARRANTED AT THIS TIME.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION ON THESE MATTERS, IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTACES.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Recent owner complaints

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

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Orion Ii by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2004010—
2002010—
2001030—
2000040—
1999040—
1998051—
1997Viewing031—
1996030—
1995020—
1993010—
1992010—
1989000—
1988010—
1987010—
1986010—
1985010—
1984010—
1983010—

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.