- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Hydraulic fluids leaking into the engine compartment can be ignited by the hot turbocharger and cause an engine fire.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
1996 Orion VI Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1996 Orion VI have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 7 recalls, the latest in November 2010 for the equipment adaptive / mobility.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical VI year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1996 Orion VI recalls 7
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
- 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: low-floor transit buses equipped with a cast steel steering relay arm. The steering arms can fail without warning.
- The risk
- This condition can leave the bus with no steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE STEERING ARMS.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- Dealers will rework the brake levers on the subject buses.
- The problem
- 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."
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- Midland will provide owners with a modification kit which will make the brake system compliant.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: low floor transit buses. Due to machining and casting variances, two of the steering relay arms on these vehicles can fracture.
- The risk
- Failure of the steering arm leaves the bus with no steering control increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE STEERING ARMS.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- The existing wheelchair barrier leg mounting bolts will be replaced with new bolts, washers and nuts.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1996 Orion VI 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 VI: every year compared
All VI yearsQuestions about the 1996 Orion VI
Does the 1996 Orion VI have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 1996 Orion VI: equipment adaptive / mobility (November 2010); glass, side / rear (March 2003); arm (December 1998); front (July 1998) 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 1996 Orion VI had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1996 Orion VI a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 30 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Orion VI 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 VI years have the most complaints?
2000 (3), 1999 (1). See every Orion VI year compared.
What should I do if my 1996 Orion VI 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