- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- In the event of a crash, an occupant may have difficulty opening the emergency exit window, increasing the risk of personal injury or death.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
1997 Orion II Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1997 Orion II have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in March 2003 for the glass, side / rear.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical II year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1997 Orion II recalls 3
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- The alternator can get hot enough to catch fire which could spread to other areas of the vehicle.
- The fix
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ALTERNATORS.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: compressed natural gas (cng) powered transit buses. The solenoid valve or check valve could allow cng to flow when not required.
- The risk
- If an ignition source was present, there is a potential for a fire and/or explosion.
- The fix
- Personnel will go to owners and replace the change out of the recalled solenoid valves.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1997 Orion II yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Orion II: every year compared
All II yearsQuestions about the 1997 Orion II
Does the 1997 Orion II have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1997 Orion II: glass, side / rear (March 2003); alternator / generator / regulator (August 1998); filling / charging (November 1997). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1997 Orion II had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1997 Orion II a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 16 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Orion II year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
What should I do if my 1997 Orion II has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data