1996 Orion Ii Recalls

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.

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

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.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) POWERED TRANSIT BUSES. THE SOLENOID VALVE OR CHECK VALVE COULD ALLOW CNG TO FLOW WHEN NOT REQUIRED.

IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSION.

PERSONNEL WILL GO TO OWNERS AND REPLACE THE CHANGE OUT OF THE RECALLED SOLENOID VALVES.

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE THEIR WHEELCHAIR BARRIERS ATTACHED TO THE FLOOR STRUCTURE WITH A BOLT THREADED INTO THE FLOOR STRUCTURE. IN THE CASE OF A FRONTAL CRASH, AT MORE THAN 20 MILES PER HOUR, WITH THE WHEELCHAIR POSITION OCCUPIED, THERE IS A POSSIBLY THAT THE BOLT THREADS TAPPED INTO THE FLOOR STRUCTURE WOULD…

FAILURE OF THE HARDWARE ATTACHMENT WOULD ALLOW MOVEMENT OF THE WHEELCHAIR BARRIER WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURIES, OR DEATH OF THE DISABLED PERSON OR OTHER PASSENGERS.

THE EXISTING WHEELCHAIR BARRIER LEG MOUNTING BOLTS WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW BOLTS, WASHERS AND NUTS.