NHTSA vehicle safety data
1998 Orion II Recalls & Complaints
The 1998 Orion II has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file as of October 21, 2026. try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 1998 Orion II. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Orion dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1998 Orion II. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
REMOTE THROTTLE CONTROL
NHTSA #10V015000 · Power Train — Clutch Assembly — Pedal/Hand Lever(MOTORCYCLE) · NHTSA notice
Reported January 21, 2010 · DAIMLER BUSES NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Potentially affected: 426 vehicles
Owners notified April 1, 2010 · Vehicles built February 1, 1992 – May 31, 2009 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
THE BUS COULD ACCELERATE AT A HIGHER RATE THAN ANTICIPATED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
FUEL LIFT PUMP/CUMMINS/ENGINE STALLING
NHTSA #05V079000 · Fuel System, Diesel · NHTSA notice
Reported March 2, 2005 · ORION BUS INDUSTRIES LTD.
Potentially affected: 302 vehicles
Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES, THE FUEL LIFT PUMP COULD FAIL IN A MANNER WHICH RESULTS IN ENGINE FUEL STARVATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A STALL CONDITION. POTENTIAL LIFT PUMP FAILURE MODES INCLUDE: BRUSH WEAR OUT, BUSHING FAILURE, ROTOR TAB INSERT FAILURE, OR ANY OTHER FAILURE MODE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE FUEL PUMPING ELEMENT TO STOP SPINNING.
Safety consequence
IF THE FUEL LIFT PUMP PUMPING ELEMENT STOPS SPINNING AND THE FUEL PUMPING VANES STOP IN A LOCATION WHICH BLOCKS FUEL FLOW THROUGH THE LIFT PUMP, THE ENGINE WILL BE STARVED OF FUEL. FUEL STARVATION COULD CAUSE LOW ENGINE POWER, ENGINE MISFIRE, OR ENGINE STALL. PRIOR TO THE ENGINE STALLING, THE OPERATOR COULD EXPERIENCE LOW ENGINE POWER, ENGINE MISFIRE, AND/OR DASH-MOUNTED FAULT LAMP ILLUMINATION.
Manufacturer remedy
CUMMINS IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-343-7357 OR ORION BUS AT 905-403-7807.
Notes
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
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).
FREIGHTLINER/ORION/VANNER BATTERY EQUALIZER
NHTSA #01V033005 · Electrical System — 12V/24V/48V Battery · NHTSA notice
Reported January 29, 2001 · FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION
Potentially affected: 927 vehicles
Vehicles built December 1, 1998 – January 1, 2000 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
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).
Other Orion II model years
Check your 1998 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.
Check an Orion VIN