RoadVitals

1998 Orion Vi Recalls

Safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA that 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
Recall campaignsA 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.
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Newest Nov 2, 2010
Carrying an NHTSA advisoryCampaigns where NHTSA told owners not to drive the vehicle, or to park it outside, until the repair is done.
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Open 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.
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2 investigations on file

Recall campaigns

8 campaigns cover this model year — what the defect is, what it could cause, and what the remedy is

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Nov 2, 2010
217 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: HYDRAULIC FLUIDS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN BE IGNITED BY THE HOT TURBOCHARGER AND CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE.
The 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.
DAIMLER BUSES NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

Feb 1, 2005
207 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL SERIES 50 ENGINES, THE TURBOCHARGER CAN FAIL ALLOWING LUBRICATING OIL TO ENTER THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.
The risk: IN THE EVENT THE TURBOCHARGER FAILS, A FIRE MAY OCCUR IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE OR INJURIES.
The remedy: DETROIT DIESEL IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE ENGINE AND INSTALL AN EXHAUST TEMPERATURE SENSOR TO PREVENT THE POSSIBILITY OF AN EXHAUST OR ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DETROIT DIESEL CORPORATION AT 313-592-5791 OR ORION AT 905-403-7832.
ORION BUS INDUSTRIES LTD.Manufacturer number 04C-2View on NHTSA.gov

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Mar 23, 2004
286 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES ON THE L10G ENGINES, THE ECM DOES NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO DETECT A THROTTLE FAIL-SAFE ENGINE SHUTDOWN COMMAND. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNANTICIPATED, UNCOMMANDED OPEN THROTTLE CONDITION WITHOUT WARNING.
The risk: IF THIS EVENT OCCURS, THE VEHICLE OPERATOR WILL NOT HAVE CONTROL OF THE ENGINE SPEED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: CUMMINS WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE ECM. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-343-7357 OR ORION AT 1-800-658-2871.
ORION BUS INDUSTRIES LTD.View on NHTSA.gov

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

Jan 29, 2001
927 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH VANNER 60 SERIES BATTERY EQUALIZERS. THE EQUALIZER COULD FAIL TO OPERATE PROPERLY AND CAUSE MALFUNCTION OF THE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM.
The risk: WITHOUT FUSING, THE EQUALIZER MAY MELT, BURN, OR SMOKE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE OR A SMOKE FILLED BUS, THUS NECESSITATING A PASSENGER EVACUATION OF THE BUS. THE FAILURE MODE CAN CAUSE OPERATOR DISTRACTION, AND/OR POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: ORION WILL NOTIFY OWNERS TO INSPECT THEIR BUSES FOR CERTAIN EQUALIZERS BY THE DATE CODE. THE AFFECTED EQUALIZERS WILL BE REPLACED BY VANNER. 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 VANNER AT 1-800-227-6937.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Sep 21, 1998
723 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH WHEEL CHAIR BARRIERS. THE WHEEL CHAIR BARRIERS ARE ATTACHED TO THE FLOOR STRUCTURE WITH A BOLT THREADED INTO THE FLOOR STRUCTURE. IN THE CASE OF A FRONTAL CRASH, WITH THE WHEEL CHAIR POSITION OCCUPIED, THE BOLT THREADS COULD STRIP ALLOWING MOVEMENT OF THE WHEEL CHAIR BARRIER.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW MOVEMENT OF THE WHEEL CHAIR WHICH COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH, TO THE WHEEL CHAIR OCCUPANT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING WHEEL CHAIR BARRIER LEG MOUNTING BOLTS WITH NEW BOLTS, NUTS AND WASHERS.
ORION BUS INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

Jul 31, 1998
52 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH SUNSOURCE/FAUVER TANDEM HYDRAULIC PUMPS. THE HYDRAULIC PISTON PUMP IS DRIVEN BY THE ENGINE AND A SHAFT OUT OF THE BACK OF THE PUMP PROVIDING POWER TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE SHAFTS ARE CONNECTED TOGETHER WITH A COUPLING. THIS COUPLING IS FITTED WITH TWO RETAINER CLIPS WHICH KEEPS IT CENTERED BETWEEN THE TWO PUMPS. THESE BUSES WERE SHIPPED MISSING THE COUPLING RETAINER CLIPS.
The risk: EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THE COUPLING CAN DISENGAGE THE TWO PUMP SHAFTS, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING.
The remedy: DEALERS ARE INSPECTING AND RETROFITTING THE COUPLINGS ON THESE PUMPS.
ORION BUS INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

SUSPENSION:FRONT

Jul 20, 1998
31 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REWORK THE BRAKE LEVERS ON THE SUBJECT BUSES.
ORION BUS INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

What a recall is

Safety recall
A 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.
Safety investigation
NHTSA 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.
Manufacturer communication
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and it is not a recall.

PE10041ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Hydraulic Auxiliary Pump Fitting Failure

Opened Oct 20, 2010
Closed Nov 9, 2010

ODI became aware of a fire involving a Washington Metro Area Transit Authority (WMATA) bus.A WMATA contracted vehicle inspection identified the failure of a tapped hydraulic fitting to have caused the fire. Orion VI buses were built from 1994 to 2002.This investigation is specific to 1995, 1997-2000 production.Daimler Bus informed ODI that 1994 & 1996 model year buses were either prototypes or sold only in Canada; buses built after 2000 had a tee fitting in lieu of the tapped fitting in question.On October 20, 2010 Daimler Bus informed ODI that an internal meeting was planned to discuss the same concern as the one that prompted this investigation.ODI agreed to delay formally requesting information; an IR letter was to be mailed on November 9, 2010 if needed. On November 2, 2010 ODI received a 573 Defect Report (Recall 10V-538) that addresses the concerns of this investigation.This investigation will be closed.There is no associated IR letter.A copy of the defect report is attached.

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITYLed to recall 10V538000
PE99075ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

12 VOLT/24 VOLT BATTERY EQUALIZER ON BUS

Opened Dec 8, 1999
Closed May 31, 2000

ODI has received information alleging failure of the equalizer on the vehicles listed above.An equalizer provides a 12volt source from a 24 volt battery; in effect, two 12 volt batterier get equally charged in series from a 24 volt source, and equally discharged in parallel into a 12 volt load.The equalizing term refers to the distribution of charge and discharge energy between the two separte 12 volt batteries. When the failure occurs the equalizer smokes excessively, filling the bus with smoke.As these buses may be carrying 50 or more people, excessive smoking (with possibility of a fire) is a concern.A fire may also result.A preliminary evaluation is being opened to gauge the scope of the issue, the technical causes of the equalizer failures and to address the resulting public safety concerns.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources