NHTSA vehicle safety data
1997 Orion II Recalls & Complaints
The 1997 Orion II has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file as of October 21, 2026. try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 1997 Orion II. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Orion dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Orion II. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
ORION/FMVSS 217/WINDOW HANDLE
NHTSA #03V120000 · Visibility — Glass, Side/Rear · NHTSA notice
Reported March 27, 2003 · ORION BUS INDUSTRIES, INC.
Potentially affected: 4,191 vehicles
Owners notified June 2, 2003 · Vehicles built January 1, 1995 – December 31, 2002 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN OCCUPANT MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY OPENING THE EMERGENCY EXIT WINDOW, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
ORION/ALTERNATOR
NHTSA #98V189000 · Electrical System — Alternator/Generator/Regulator · NHTSA notice
Reported August 10, 1998 · ORION BUS INDUSTRIES, INC.
Potentially affected: 45 vehicles
Owners notified August 21, 1998 · Vehicles built May 12, 1997 – June 2, 1998 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
THE ALTERNATOR CAN GET HOT ENOUGH TO CATCH FIRE WHICH COULD SPREAD TO OTHER AREAS OF THE VEHICLE.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ALTERNATORS.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 1998.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 NORTH POWER LLC AT 1-716-492-2278 OR ORION BUS AT 1-905-403-1111.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
ORION/CNG SOLENOID VALVES
NHTSA #97V207000 · Fuel System, Other — Storage — Tank Assembly — Filling/Charging · NHTSA notice
Reported November 14, 1997 · ORION BUS INDUSTRIES, INC.
Potentially affected: 211 vehicles
Owners notified November 14, 1997 · Vehicles built November 1, 1996 – November 1, 1997 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) POWERED TRANSIT BUSES. THE SOLENOID VALVE OR CHECK VALVE COULD ALLOW CNG TO FLOW WHEN NOT REQUIRED.
Safety consequence
IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSION.
Manufacturer remedy
PERSONNEL WILL GO TO OWNERS AND REPLACE THE CHANGE OUT OF THE RECALLED SOLENOID VALVES.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 14, 1997.OWNERS WHO DO NOT HAVE THE FREE REPLACEMENT VALVE INSTALLED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT ORION AT 1-315-768-8101.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Other Orion II model years
Check your 1997 Orion II VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Orion II at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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