Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2009 Orion VII, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Recalls in Canada
6 Transport Canada recalls for the 2009 Orion VII.
| 2015137 30 Mar 2015 | Seats And Restraints On certain buses equipped with a Recaro driver seat, the reverse mounted automatic locking retractors may not operate properly due to interference with the teth… |
| 2013336 27 Sept 2013 | Electrical On certain buses equipped with Sure Power battery equalizers and/or convertors, the equalizer and/or convertor could develop an internal short circuit, resultin… |
| 2011380 25 Oct 2011 | High Voltage On certain 2008-2010 hybrid buses, and 2005-2008 buses converted from lead acid to a Li-Ion Energy Storage System (Li-Ion ESS), particulate debris can accumulat… |
| 2011152 7 Apr 2011 | Electrical On certain transit buses, the dual voltage electrical system equalizer, located in the engine compartment, could fail. This could result in a vehicle fire caus… |
| 2009240 6 Aug 2009 | Structure On certain buses, the screws attaching the tip-in passenger windows may loosen, allowing the windows to dislodge and fall into the bus. The errant window/frame… |
| 2009182 12 Jun 2009 | Other On certain buses, the passenger windows may not be bonded properly, which may cause them to detach from the window frame. This could endanger pedestrians, moto… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
Daimler Buses North America (DBNA) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Orion VII natural gas-powered transit buses manufactured January 1, 2007, to October 1, 2012. Excessive engine crankcase pressures may cause the 90-degree elbow of the vent tube assembly to detach from the crankcase ventilation breather, possibly allowing engine oil to come into contact with hot surfaces.
Daimler Buses North America (DBNA) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Orion VII transit buses manufactured January 2007 through October 2012 equipped with certain Cummins Westport Model ISL G engines. Condensation in the intake manifold may freeze during cold weather conditions and interfere with the proper operation of the intake manifold pressure sensor.
Daimler Buses North America Ltd. (DBNA) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Orion V and model year 2002-2010 VII buses equipped with Sure Power equalizers and DC-DC Converters. The specific potting compound used in the equalizers and convertors for insulation was found to be capable of conducting electricity after being exposed to heat.
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.
DAIMLER BUSES OF NORTH AMERICA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2009 ORION TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH LUMINATOR HORIZON LED SIDE DESTINATION SIGNS. THE CONNECTOR BOARD CAN CORRODE DUE TO AN ACCUMULATION OF MOISTURE UNDER THE CONNECTOR.
DAIMLER BUS NORTH AMERICA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2009 ORION VII TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 2007 THROUGH JULY 2009. THE PASSENGER WINDOWS HAVE A TIP-IN TRANSOM WINDOW WHICH IS ATTACHED BY SCREWS. THESE SCREWS MAY LOOSEN AND THE WINDOW MAY DISLODGE AND FALL INTO THE BUS.
ORION IS RECALLING 286 MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2009 TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 2007 AND APRIL 2009. THE BOND OF THE GLASS TO THE ALUMINUM FRAME OF THE PASSENGER WINDOWS IS NOT ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO HOLD THE WINDOW ATTACHED TO THE FRAME.
DAIMLER BUSES IS RECALLING 380 MY 2008-2009 VII BUSES CONFIGURED WITH A MOBILE CLIMATE CONTROL (MCC) HEATER AND THOSE WITH A MCC DEFROSTER MANUFACTURER FROM OCTOBER 2008 - MARCH 2009 ONLY. THE BLOWER MOTOR MOUNT SCREWS MAY NOT HAVE THE PROPER TORQUE. IF THE FOUR BLOWER MOTOR MOUNT SCREWS DISCONNECT, THE BRACKET CAN MOVE POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL TERMINAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Orion told its dealers about the 2009 Orion VII: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10159783 | Letter to four (4) New York State transit bus customers regarding performing |
| 10128813 | 14TL5 ABS Power Line Carrier Converter Available Through PDC |
| 10128812 | 14TL2 DD Platform Engine Stand Adapter W060589023100 |
| 10128811 | 14TS19 DD Platform High Pressure Fuel Lines |
| 10128744 | 16TS7 Reman Diesel Particulate Filter Serial Number |
| 10124144 | 14TL9 Special Tool Warranty Program. |
| 10124143 | 14TL8 TorcUP? Non-Impacting Torque Tool. |
| 10124142 | 14TL7 DD Platform Flywheel Housing Runout Tool W470589032100 |
| 10124132 | 14CSA23 CSC Announces ?Tech Tips? ? DDCSN |
| 10124131 | 14CSA22 DTNA Chassis Wiring Diagrams |
| 10124130 | 14CSA21 Holiday Schedule for the Detroit Customer Support Center ? |
| 10124129 | 14CSA20 EGR Valve Actuator Kit P/N E23539699 |
| 10124117 | sb2080 Australian CST M1400 Isolated Radiator Retrofit |
| 10040014 | DAIMLER TRUCKS: THE WINDOWS HAVE BEEN LOCKED WITH A SCREW OR LOCKING BLOCK. THERE IS A PROCEDURE TO ALLOW THESE WINDOWS TO BE MADE TO OPEN. *RM |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
FALLING BUS WINDOWS
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation