NHTSA vehicle safety data
1999 Orion VI Recalls & Complaints
The 1999 Orion VI has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Orion dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1999 Orion VI. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
1999 Orion VI owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 1999 Orion VI, describing incidents dated October 12, 2004.
Most-cited components
- Engine 1 complaint
The complaint on file reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #10096775 · Filed
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY OTHER DRIVER'S THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE…
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1999 Orion VI in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Preliminary Evaluation PE10-041: Hydraulic Auxiliary Pump Fitting Failure
Closed November 9, 2010
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).
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).
Other Orion VI model years
Check your 1999 Orion VI VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Orion VI at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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