The defect
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 remedy
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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by OVSC
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Orion II | 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 |
| Orion V | 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 |
| Orion VI | 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 |
Components: VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
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 | 1995 | 0 | 2 |
| Orion II | 1996 | 0 | 3 |
| Orion II | 1997 | 0 | 3 |
| Orion II | 1998 | 0 | 5 |
| Orion II | 1999 | 0 | 4 |
| Orion II | 2000 | 0 | 4 |
| Orion II | 2001 | 0 | 3 |
| Orion V | 1995 | 0 | 6 |
| Orion V | 1996 | 0 | 9 |
| Orion V | 1997 | 0 | 8 |
| Orion V | 1998 | 0 | 11 |
| Orion V | 1999 | 0 | 7 |
| Orion V | 2000 | 1 | 6 |
| Orion V | 2001 | 0 | 5 |
| Orion VI | 1995 | 0 | 4 |
| Orion VI | 1996 | 0 | 7 |
| Orion VI | 1997 | 0 | 6 |
| Orion VI | 1998 | 0 | 8 |
| Orion VI | 1999 | 1 | 3 |
| Orion VI | 2000 | 3 | 3 |
| Orion VI | 2001 | 0 | 1 |
Other visibility recalls in 2003
19 of the 527 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2003 concerned the visibility; ORION BUS INDUSTRIES, INC. filed 13 campaigns in all.
| 03V497000 23 Dec 2003 | SETRA OF NORTH AMERICA |
| 03V461000 11 Nov 2003 | LIBERTY BUS INCORPORATED |
| 03V429000 3 Nov 2003 | MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 03V223000 16 Jun 2003 | AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP. |
| 03V222000 12 Jun 2003 | FORETRAVEL, INC. |
| 03V210000 2 Jun 2003 | ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED |
| 03V191000 5 May 2003 | INDIAN MOTORCYCLE COMPANY |
| 03V160000 29 Apr 2003 | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2003