- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- The bus could accelerate at a higher rate than anticipated increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
1998 Orion V Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1998 Orion V have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 11 recalls, the latest in January 2010 for the pedal / hand lever(motorcycle).
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical V year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 11
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1998 Orion V recalls 11
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
- On certain transit buses equipped with lift-u wheelchair lifts, it is possible for a person to wedge their feet under the solid bar barrier linkage.
- The risk
- While sitting in a wheelchair, a person with no shoes and who does not have control of their feet could twist their feet and get them forced under the linkage which could result in an injury.
- The fix
- Daimlerchrysler commercial is working with lift-u to repair these buses (please see 06e-093). Owners will receive a free repair kit along with installation instructions free of charge. Owners may contact lift-u at 209-838-2400 or orion bus at 905-403-7807.
- The problem
- On certain transit buses equipped with detroit diesel series 50 engines, the turbocharger can fail allowing lubricating oil to enter the exhaust system.
- The risk
- In the event the turbocharger fails, a fire may occur in the engine compartment resulting in property damage or injuries.
- The fix
- Detroit diesel is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Dealers will repair the engine and install an exhaust temperature sensor to prevent the possibility of an exhaust or engine compartment fire. Owners may contact detroit diesel corporation at 313-592-5791 or orion at 905-403-7832.
- 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." During subsequent closing of an emergency exit the moving window frame interferes with the jam frame stop located in mid span along the lower edge of the window frame.
- The risk
- During the use of an emergency exit window, a window may not open after applying the required forces allowing a person to escape in the event of an emergency.
- The fix
- Dealers will install two aluminum blocks each attached by two screws. The moving window frame will not interfere with the jam frame stop. The recall began may 1, 2005. Owners should contact orion at 905-403-7832, ext. 3335.
- The problem
- On certain buses equipped with cummins electronic control modules on the l10g engines, the ecm does not have the ability to detect a throttle fail-safe engine shutdown command. This could result in an unanticipated, uncommanded open throttle condition without warning.
- The risk
- If this event occurs, the vehicle operator will not have control of the engine speed, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Cummins will notify the customers and replace the ecm. Owners should contact cummins at 1-800-343-7357 or orion at 1-800-658-2871.
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: transit buses. Failure of a soft seat check valve in wheelchair lifts provided by lift-u, may allow the front and rear platform barriers to return to a horizontal position from the vertical position they are supposed to be locked in.
- The risk
- This could allow a mobility aid to roll off of the lift platform injuring its occupant. Lift-u will replace the soft seat check valves.
- The fix
- LIFT-U WILL REPLACE THE SOFT SEAT CHECK VALVES.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: transit buses equipped with wheel chair barriers. The wheel chair barriers are attached to the floor structure with a bolt threaded into the floor structure. In the case of a frontal crash, with the wheel chair position occupied, the bolt threads could strip allowing movement of the wheel chair barrier.
- The risk
- This condition could allow movement of the wheel chair which could cause personal injury, or death, to the wheel chair occupant.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the existing wheel chair barrier leg mounting bolts with new bolts, nuts and washers.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: transit buses equipped with electric engine starters. The power cables are routed across the back of the engine and fastened to the engine bulkhead. The cable may not be adequately fastened, chaffing the cable, and causing an electrical short.
- The risk
- This condition could possibly start a fire in the engine compartment.
- The fix
- Dealers rerouted the wiring in the engine compartment.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: transit buses equipped with sunsource/fauver tandem hydraulic pumps. The hydraulic piston pump is driven by the engine and a shaft out of the back of the pump providing power to the power steering pump. The shafts are connected together with a coupling. This coupling is fitted with two retainer clips which keeps it centered between the two pumps. These buses were shipped missing the coupling retainer clips.
- The risk
- Excessive movement of the coupling can disengage the two pump shafts, causing loss of power steering.
- The fix
- Dealers are inspecting and retrofitting the couplings on these pumps.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1998 Orion V 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 V: every year compared
All V years1998 Orion V vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 Orion V | 0 | 11 | F | |
| 1998 Orion Orion | 1 | 0 | - | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1998 Orion V
Does the 1998 Orion V have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 1998 Orion V: pedal / hand lever(motorcycle) (January 2010); equipment adaptive / mobility (February 2007); turbo / supercharger (February 2005); structure (November 2004) and more. 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 1998 Orion V had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1998 Orion V a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 23 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Orion V 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.
Which Orion V years have the most complaints?
2000 (1), 2002 (1). See every Orion V year compared.
What should I do if my 1998 Orion V 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