The defect
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.
The risk
Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy
DBNA will notify owners and Sure Power representatives will change out the equalizer and/or convertor, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during November 2014. Owners may contact DBNA at 1-905-403-1111.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Orion V | 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 |
| Orion VII | 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 V | 2003 | 0 | 7 |
| Orion V | 2004 | 0 | 7 |
| Orion V | 2005 | 0 | 5 |
| Orion V | 2006 | 0 | 4 |
| Orion V | 2007 | 0 | 5 |
| Orion V | 2008 | 0 | 5 |
| Orion VII | 2002 | 0 | 6 |
| Orion VII | 2003 | 0 | 7 |
| Orion VII | 2004 | 0 | 13 |
| Orion VII | 2005 | 0 | 11 |
| Orion VII | 2006 | 0 | 9 |
| Orion VII | 2007 | 1 | 9 |
| Orion VII | 2008 | 0 | 11 |
| Orion VII | 2009 | 1 | 8 |
| Orion VII | 2010 | 0 | 5 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2013
76 of the 627 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2013 concerned the electrical system; Daimler Buses North America filed 6 campaigns in all.
| 13V640000 20 Dec 2013 | Daimler Trucks North America |
| 13V639000 20 Dec 2013 | Daimler Trucks North America |
| 13V642000 19 Dec 2013 | Nova Bus |
| 13V635000 18 Dec 2013 | Zero Motorcycles Inc. |
| 13V627000 17 Dec 2013 | Daimler Trucks North America |
| 13V589000 22 Nov 2013 | Maserati North America, Inc. |
| 13V570000 15 Nov 2013 | BMW of North America, LLC |
| 13V566000 13 Nov 2013 | General Motors LLC |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2013