Daimler Buses Recalls Orion Buses: Crash Risk

Vehicle Make / Model:		Model Year(s):
ORION / II		1992-1993 1998
ORION / V		2005-2006 2008
ORION / VI		1995 2002
ORION / VII		2002-2006 2008-2009
Manufacturer: DAIMLER BUSES NORTH AMERICA, INC.		Mfr’s Report Date: JAN 12, 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V015000		N/A NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/LINKAGE

Potential Number of Units Affected: 1485

Summary: 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, “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 PLACED 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.

Consequence: THE BUS COULD ACCELERATE AT A HIGHER RATE THAN ANTICIPATED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE WIRING TO THE MORSE THROTTLE CONTROL SWITCH. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER BUSES AT 1-800-716-7466.

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 HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .