NHTSA vehicle safety data
1996 Orion VI Recalls & Complaints
The 1996 Orion VI has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file as of October 21, 2026. try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 1996 Orion VI. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Orion dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Orion VI. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
HYDRAULIC AUXILIARY PUMP FITTING FAILURE
NHTSA #10V538000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility · NHTSA notice
Reported November 2, 2010 · DAIMLER BUSES NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Potentially affected: 217 vehicles
Owners notified December 3, 2011 · Vehicles built January 1, 1996 – December 30, 2000 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
HYDRAULIC FLUIDS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN BE IGNITED BY THE HOT TURBOCHARGER AND CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE.
Manufacturer 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.
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> .
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/STEERING RELAY ARM
NHTSA #98V331000 · Steering — Linkages — Knuckle — Spindle — Arm · NHTSA notice
Reported December 22, 1998 · ORION BUS INDUSTRIES, INC.
Potentially affected: 20 vehicles
Owners notified December 22, 1998 · Vehicles built December 1, 1996 – June 30, 1997 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LOW-FLOOR TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH A CAST STEEL STEERING RELAY ARM. THE STEERING ARMS CAN FAIL WITHOUT WARNING.
Safety consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN LEAVE THE BUS WITH NO STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE STEERING ARMS.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 22, 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 ORION 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/ZF FRONT AXLES
NHTSA #98V166000 · Suspension — Front · NHTSA notice
Reported July 20, 1998 · ORION BUS INDUSTRIES, INC.
Potentially affected: 31 vehicles
Owners notified August 24, 1998 · Vehicles built January 8, 1996 – June 22, 1998 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REWORK THE BRAKE LEVERS ON THE SUBJECT BUSES.
Notes
ZF IS HANDLING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL.
ORION/MIDLAND GRAU/BRAKE ACTUATOR
NHTSA #98V121001 · Service Brakes, Air — Slack Adjusters · NHTSA notice
Reported April 17, 1998 · ORION BUS INDUSTRIES, INC.
Potentially affected: 20 vehicles
Vehicles built March 28, 1996 – May 15, 1996 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH MAXIBRAKE I ACTUATORS, TYPE 20, TYPE 24, TYPE 30, AND TYPE 36. THESE BRAKE ACTUATORS DO NOT HAVE AN OVERSTROKE INDICATOR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS."
Safety consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN LEAD TO REDUCED BRAKE OUTPUT IF THE BRAKES OR NOT PROPERLY ADJUSTED OR WHEN IT IS USED WITHOUT AN AUTOMATIC BRAKE ADJUSTING MECHANISM.
Manufacturer remedy
MIDLAND WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A MODIFICATION KIT WHICH WILL MAKE THE BRAKE SYSTEM COMPLIANT.
Notes
MIDLAND IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY CAMPAIGN FOR THIS RECALL.OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DURING APRIL 1998.OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE MODIFICATION KIT WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MIDLAND-GRAU AT 1-316-365-6911 OR ORION AT 1-315-768-8101.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
ORION/STEERING
NHTSA #97V129000 · Steering — Linkages · NHTSA notice
Reported August 28, 1997 · ORION BUS INDUSTRIES, INC.
Potentially affected: 20 vehicles
Owners notified September 2, 1997 · Vehicles built December 1, 1996 – February 28, 1997 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LOW FLOOR TRANSIT BUSES. DUE TO MACHINING AND CASTING VARIANCES, TWO OF THE STEERING RELAY ARMS ON THESE VEHICLES CAN FRACTURE.
Safety consequence
FAILURE OF THE STEERING ARM LEAVES THE BUS WITH NO STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE STEERING ARMS.
Notes
OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED AUGUST 1, 1997, TO REMOVE THESE BUSES FROM SERVICE UNTIL THE REMEDY WAS PERFORMED.A SECOND OWNERNOTIFICATIONIS EXPECTED TO BEGIN SEPTEMBER 2, 1997.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 BUS AT 1-315-768-8101.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
ORION/WHEELCHAIR RESTRAINTS
NHTSA #97V002000 · Unknown or Other · NHTSA notice
Reported January 2, 1997 · ORION BUS INDUSTRIES, INC.
Potentially affected: 578 vehicles
Owners notified January 10, 1997 · Vehicles built June 7, 1995 – December 30, 1996 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE THEIR WHEELCHAIR BARRIERS ATTACHED TO THE FLOOR STRUCTURE WITH A BOLT THREADED INTO THE FLOOR STRUCTURE. IN THE CASE OF A FRONTAL CRASH, AT MORE THAN 20 MILES PER HOUR, WITH THE WHEELCHAIR POSITION OCCUPIED, THERE IS A POSSIBLY THAT THE BOLT THREADS TAPPED INTO THE FLOOR STRUCTURE WOULD STRIP ALLOWING MOVEMENT OF THE WHEELCHAIR BARRIER.
Safety consequence
FAILURE OF THE HARDWARE ATTACHMENT WOULD ALLOW MOVEMENT OF THE WHEELCHAIR BARRIER WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURIES, OR DEATH OF THE DISABLED PERSON OR OTHER PASSENGERS.
Manufacturer remedy
THE EXISTING WHEELCHAIR BARRIER LEG MOUNTING BOLTS WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW BOLTS, WASHERS AND NUTS.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN JANUARY 10, 1997. NOTES:IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT ORION AT 1-905-625-9510.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Other Orion VI model years
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