RoadVitals

2009 Orion Vii

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.
1
Latest Feb 19, 2013
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.
8
Latest May 15, 2015
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 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2009 Orion Vii, most frequently naming the engine category. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 14 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

  • Engine1100.0%

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

8 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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

May 15, 2015
455 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: If the engine oil comes into contact with hot surfaces, it can increase the risk of a vehicle fire.
The 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.
Daimler Buses North AmericaView on NHTSA.gov

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Mar 5, 2014
455 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
Daimler Buses North AmericaView on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Sep 27, 2013
3,009 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.
The 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.
Daimler Buses North AmericaView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EQ09007ClosedInvestigation

FALLING BUS WINDOWS

Opened Aug 18, 2009
Closed Nov 24, 2009

THE PURPOSE OF THIS INVESTIGATION WAS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE TIP-IN STYLE TRANSOM WINDOWS SUPPLIED TO DAIMLER BUSES FOR USE ON BUSES IT MANUFACTURED, AND CONCERNING WHICH THAT COMPANY MADE A DEFECT DETERMINATION, WERE SUPPLIED TO ANY OTHER VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS OR AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND, IF SO, TO PROMPT ADDITIONAL SAFETY RECALLS IF AND WHERE NEEDED.RMD ISSUED A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION TO THE WINDOWS' MANUFACTURER, HEHR INTERNATIONAL, INC. (HEHR) ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2009, INQUIRING ABOUT ITS DISTRIBUTION OF THE WINDOWS AND SOLICITING ITS OPINION AS TO WHETHER A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTED IN THOSE WINDOWS.HEHR RESPONDED ON OCTOBER 28, 2009, THAT IT HAD NOT SUPPLIED THE WINDOWS TO ANYONE OTHER THAN DAIMLER BUSES.IT ALSO OPINED THAT THE WINDOWS DID NOT CONTAIN A SAFETY DEFECT AND THAT ANY SCREW LOOSENING, AND CONSEQUENTIAL WINDOW COLLAPSE, WOULD BE DUE TO A FAILURE TO PROPERLY RETIGHTEN A SCREW AFTER MAINTENANCE, AS OPPOSED TO A DEFECT INHERENT TO THE DESIGN OR MANUFACTURE OF THE SCREWS OR WINDOWS.IN SUPPORT OF ITS OPINION, IT PROVIDED A SUMMARY OF HISTORICAL FIELD DATA AND ITS FIELD INSPECTION INVESTIGATION, NEITHER OF WHICH DEMONSTRATED ABERRANT PERFORMANCE.IT ALSO PROVIDED A SUMMARY OF TESTING CONDUCTED BY AN INDEPENDENT TESTING FACILITY DEMONSTRATING THAT THE SCREWS WOULD NOT LOOSEN AS MANUFACTURED. IN VIEW OF HEHR'S RESPONSE AND THE INFORMATION PROVIDED THEREIN, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Feb 19, 2013

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

NHTSA ID
10500221
Incident
Feb 12, 2013

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

NYCT LETTER

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

Letter to four (4) New York State transit bus customers regarding performing

14CSA23

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

14CSA23 CSC Announces ?Tech Tips? ? DDCSN

16TS7

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

16TS7 Reman Diesel Particulate Filter Serial Number

14TL8

EQUIPMENT

14TL8 TorcUP? Non-Impacting Torque Tool.

14CSA22

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

14CSA22 DTNA Chassis Wiring Diagrams

14TL9

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

14TL9 Special Tool Warranty Program.

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.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Orion Vii by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012041
2011041
2010050
2009Viewing181
20080111
2007191
2006091
20050120
20040141
2003081
2002081
2001020
2000000
1999000
1998000

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.