The defect
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 remedy
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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Orion II | 1998, 1999, 2000 |
| Orion V | 1998, 1999, 2000 |
| Orion VI | 1998, 1999, 2000 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orion II | 1998 | 0 | 5 |
| Orion II | 1999 | 0 | 4 |
| Orion II | 2000 | 0 | 4 |
| Orion V | 1998 | 0 | 11 |
| Orion V | 1999 | 0 | 7 |
| Orion V | 2000 | 1 | 6 |
| Orion VI | 1998 | 0 | 8 |
| Orion VI | 1999 | 1 | 3 |
| Orion VI | 2000 | 3 | 3 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2001
35 of the 461 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2001 concerned the electrical system; FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION filed 151 campaigns in all.
| 01V387000 17 Dec 2001 | FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION |
| 01V370000 13 Dec 2001 | PIERCE MANUFACTURING,INC. |
| 01V366000 4 Dec 2001 | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. |
| 01V369000 20 Nov 2001 | AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION CORP. |
| 01V350000 15 Nov 2001 | AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION CORP. |
| 01V294000 17 Sept 2001 | KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP. |
| 01V288000 10 Sept 2001 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 01V292000 10 Sept 2001 | MONACO COACH CORP. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2001