1997 Orion Vi Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1997 Orion Vi has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 5,202 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY 10V538000 2010-11-02 217 affected
Defect

DAIMLER BUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1995 THROUGH 2000 TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 1996 THROUGH DECEMBER 2000. THESE BUSES ARE CONFIGURED WITH A TAPPED FITTING FOR THE HYDRAULIC WHEELCHAIR RAMP. IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CONNECTED TO THE HYDRAULIC PUMP IS A FITTING WITH AN ADAPTER FOR THE…

Consequence

HYDRAULIC FLUIDS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN BE IGNITED BY THE HOT TURBOCHARGER AND CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE.

Remedy

BUS OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON 3, DECEMBER 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER BUSES AT 1-800-716-7566.

VISIBILITY 03V120000 2003-03-27 4,191 affected
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.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN OCCUPANT MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY OPENING THE EMERGENCY EXIT WINDOW, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

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.

STEERING 98V331000 1998-12-22 20 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LOW-FLOOR TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH A CAST STEEL STEERING RELAY ARM. THE STEERING ARMS CAN FAIL WITHOUT WARNING.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN LEAVE THE BUS WITH NO STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE STEERING ARMS.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 98V210000 1998-09-21 723 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH WHEEL CHAIR BARRIERS. THE WHEEL CHAIR BARRIERS ARE ATTACHED TO THE FLOOR STRUCTURE WITH A BOLT THREADED INTO THE FLOOR STRUCTURE. IN THE CASE OF A FRONTAL CRASH, WITH THE WHEEL CHAIR POSITION OCCUPIED, THE BOLT THREADS COULD STRIP ALLOWING MOVEMENT OF THE WHEEL…

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW MOVEMENT OF THE WHEEL CHAIR WHICH COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH, TO THE WHEEL CHAIR OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING WHEEL CHAIR BARRIER LEG MOUNTING BOLTS WITH NEW BOLTS, NUTS AND WASHERS.

SUSPENSION 98V166000 1998-07-20 31 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES BUILT WITH ZF FRONT AXLES EQUIPPED WITH LUCAS DISC BRAKES. THE BRAKE LEVER CONNECTING THE BRAKE CHAMBER PUSHROD TO THE DISC BRAKE ACTUATOR CAN CONTACT THE AIR BAG SUPPORT GUSSET DURING APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES AND BECOME JAMMED AND WILL NOT RELEASE THE BRAKE WHEN THE DRIVER…

Consequence

SINCE THIS IS A STEERING AXLE, UNWANTED APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO TURN IN THE DIRECTION OF THE LOCKED WHEEL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REWORK THE BRAKE LEVERS ON THE SUBJECT BUSES.

STEERING 97V129000 1997-08-28 20 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LOW FLOOR TRANSIT BUSES. DUE TO MACHINING AND CASTING VARIANCES, TWO OF THE STEERING RELAY ARMS ON THESE VEHICLES CAN FRACTURE.

Consequence

FAILURE OF THE STEERING ARM LEAVES THE BUS WITH NO STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE STEERING ARMS.

Defect investigations

Investigation PE10041 Opened 2010-10-20 · closed 2010-11-09

Hydraulic Auxiliary Pump Fitting Failure

ODI became aware of a fire involving a Washington Metro Area Transit Authority (WMATA) bus.A WMATA contracted vehicle inspection identified the failure of a tapped hydraulic fitting to have caused the fire. Orion VI buses were built from 1994 to 2002.This investigation is specific to 1995, 1997-2000…

Investigation PE10041 Opened 2010-10-20 · closed 2010-11-09

Hydraulic Auxiliary Pump Fitting Failure

ODI became aware of a fire involving a Washington Metro Area Transit Authority (WMATA) bus.A WMATA contracted vehicle inspection identified the failure of a tapped hydraulic fitting to have caused the fire. Orion VI buses were built from 1994 to 2002.This investigation is specific to 1995, 1997-2000…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Orion Vi as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.