2006 Orion VII: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2007-07-26 (July 26, 2007)

ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES BUILT WITH CUMMINS ISL ENGINES, THE EXHAUST ELBOW WAS INCORRECTLY ASSEMBLED AND WELDED DURING PRODUCTION. THE UPPER FLANGE HAS A BUTT TYPE WELD INSTEAD OF A FILLET TYPE WELD.

Consequence: AN EXHAUST SYSTEM THAT IS NOT MAINTAINED TO ENSURE THAT THERE ARE NO LEAKING SECTIONS CAN CAUSE HEAT DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE EXHAUST ELBOW. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING SEPTEMBER 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ORION AT 1-800-716-7466.

Reported: 2007-08-28 (August 28, 2007)

ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ENGINES CONFIGURED WITH DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTERS (DPF) AND ULTRA COMPACT MODULES (UCM), THE UCM MAY FAIL. THE UCM IS LOCATED IN A WIRING HARNESS INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON THE CURB SIDE.

Consequence: THE ENGINE MAY STALL AND THE UCM MAY FAIL CAUSING A FIRE.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS AND PARTS TO REPLACE THE 5 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH A 2 AMP FUSE TO MITIGATE THE FAILURE OF THE UCM FROM SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSING A FIRE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DCBUSNA/ORION BUS AT 905-403-7832.

Reported: 2008-09-29 (September 29, 2008)

DAIMLER BUSES IS RECALLING 175 MY 2004-2008 ORION V AND VII BUSES EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS ISL DIESEL ENGINES. DUE TO VARIOUS ALTERNATOR CABLE ROUTING CONFIGURATIONS, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR THE CABLE TO RUB ON ENGINE COMPONENTS.

Consequence: WHEN THE CABLE RUBBING IS NOT DETECTED DURING REGULAR MAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS, THE INSULATION CAN RUB TO EXPOSE THE ELECTRIFIED CABLE. ARCING CAN CAUSE A FIRE TO OCCUR.

Remedy: DAIMLER BUSES WILL REROUTE THE ALTERNATOR CABLE TO ENSURE THAT THE CABLE DOES NOT CONTACT ENGINE COMPONENTS. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER BUSES AT 1-800-716-7466.

Reported: 2009-03-25 (March 25, 2009)

DAIMLER BUS IS RECALLING 804 MY 2006-2009 TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH A NEW YORK CUSTOM SEAT HEATER. CURRENTLY, THE TERMINAL CONNECTION OF THE SEAT HEATER IS IMMEDIATELY LOCATED NEXT TO THE SEAT BUS BAR. SHOULD CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL OR DEBRIS, SUCH AS A WASHER, ENTER BETWEEN THE TERMINAL CONNECTION AND THE SEAT BUS BAR, A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD OCCUR.

Consequence: A SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE SEAT BUS BAR AND THE ADJACENT TERMINAL CONNECTION COULD OVERHEAT THE WIRE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BUSES FOR DEBRIS AND WILL RELOCATE THE TERMINAL CONNECTION AWAY FROM THE BUS BAR. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER BUSES AT 905-403-7807.

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: 2012-09-13 (September 13, 2012)

Daimler Buses North America (DBNA) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Orion V and model year 2005-2006 Orion VII transit buses equipped with John Deere Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) turbocharged engines. The turbine or compressor wheel may fail, resulting in subsequent damage to the engine and/or an oil leak.

Consequence: Failure of the turbine or compressor wheel may result in smoke, fire, and stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: DBNA will notify owners. The remedy for this issue is still under development. The safety recall began on September 28, 2012. Owners may contact Daimler Buses North America at 1-800-882-8054.

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.