2003 Orion Vii Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2003 Orion Vii has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 5,901 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13V476000 2013-09-27 3,009 affected
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…

Consequence

Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.

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.

POWER TRAIN 10V015000 2010-01-21 426 affected
Defect

DAIMLER BUSES IS RECALLING CERTAIN ORION TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH THE MORSE REMOTE THROTTLE CONTROL. THE MORSE REMOTE THROTTLE CONTROL PANEL IS LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND A SWITCH ON IT IS LABELED, "THROTTLE"; "OFF" OR "FRONT" AND "ON" OR "REAR" SELECTING THE ACTIVE ENGINE CONTROL STATION. IF A PERSON…

Consequence

THE BUS COULD ACCELERATE AT A HIGHER RATE THAN ANTICIPATED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DAIMLER WILL PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS TO MODIFY THE WIRING TO THE MORSE THROTTLE CONTROL SWITCH. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER BUSES AT 1-800-716-7466.

INTERIOR LIGHTING 09V413000 2009-10-20 368 affected
Defect

DAIMLER BUSES OF NORTH AMERICA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2009 ORION TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH LUMINATOR HORIZON LED SIDE DESTINATION SIGNS. THE CONNECTOR BOARD CAN CORRODE DUE TO AN ACCUMULATION OF MOISTURE UNDER THE CONNECTOR.

Consequence

A SHORT COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY CAUSING SMOKE AND A FIRE.

Remedy

ORION WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE BUSES WILL BE REPAIRED BY LUMINATOR FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE LUMINATOR'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-054. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LUMINATOR AT 1-972-516-3033 OR ORION AT 1-800-716-7466.

STRUCTURE 05V282000 2005-06-14 1,092 affected
Defect

ON CERTAIN COMMERCIAL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH VAPOR DOOR ASSEMBLIES, THE TWO PIECE CURVED CONNECTING RODS WHEN USED AS AN ELEMENT OF THE DOOR ACTUATION LINKAGE IN CONJUNCTION WITH A VAPOR MEDIUM PNEUMATIC DIFFERENTIAL ENGINE, MAY BE SUBJECT TO FATIGUE FAILURE RESULTING IN BENDING OR BREAKING OF THE CONNECTING ROD.

Consequence

A BROKEN CONNECTING ROD CAN ALLOW THE DOOR PANEL TO MOVE FREELY IN AN UNCONTROLLED MANNER, LEAVING PASSENGERS INSIDE THE VEHICLE UNPROTECTED BY THE DOOR PANEL AND ENABLING A PROTRUDING DOOR PANEL TO STRIKE PERSONS OR OBJECTS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

ORION IS WORKING WITH VAPOR BUS INTERNATIONAL TO NOTIFY OWNERS AND HAVE THE REPAIR PERFORMED ON THEIR VEHICLES. THE REMEDY CONSISTS OF REPLACING THE TWO PIECE CONNECTING ROD WITH A ONE PIECE CONNECTING ROD. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ORION BUS AT 905-403-7832 OR VAPOR AT 847-777-6400.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 05V079000 2005-03-02 302 affected
Defect

ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES, THE FUEL LIFT PUMP COULD FAIL IN A MANNER WHICH RESULTS IN ENGINE FUEL STARVATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A STALL CONDITION. POTENTIAL LIFT PUMP FAILURE MODES INCLUDE: BRUSH WEAR OUT, BUSHING FAILURE, ROTOR TAB INSERT FAILURE, OR ANY OTHER FAILURE MODE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE FUEL PUMPING…

Consequence

IF THE FUEL LIFT PUMP PUMPING ELEMENT STOPS SPINNING AND THE FUEL PUMPING VANES STOP IN A LOCATION WHICH BLOCKS FUEL FLOW THROUGH THE LIFT PUMP, THE ENGINE WILL BE STARVED OF FUEL. FUEL STARVATION COULD CAUSE LOW ENGINE POWER, ENGINE MISFIRE, OR ENGINE STALL. PRIOR TO THE ENGINE STALLING, THE OPERATOR COULD…

Remedy

CUMMINS IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-343-7357 OR ORION BUS AT 905-403-7807.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 04V447000 2004-09-13 452 affected
Defect

ON CERTAIN BUSES, THE BATTERY STORAGE SLIDING TRAY LOCKING TOGGLE WAS NOT TIGHTENED SUFFICIENTLY. THE BATTERY DOOR CAN OPEN ALLOWING THE BATTERY TRAY TO SLIDE OUT FROM THE STORED POSITION.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE AN OBSTACLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ADD A LOCKING PIN TO KEEP THE BATTERY TRAY FROM SLIDING. ORION HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT ORION AT 1-905-403-7832.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER 04V411000 2004-08-19 252 affected
Defect

CERTAIN BUSES EQUIPPED WITH COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS FUEL CONTAINERS, MODEL ALT823D, P/N 1273147, DO NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 304, 'COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS FUEL CONTAINER INTEGRITY.' THE NGV CONTAINER'S PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES FAIL TO TIMELY AND FULLY ACTIVATE AS…

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE FIRE WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM ROOF ENCLOSURE REMOVED OR OPENED, THE FUEL CONTAINER'S PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES MAY NOT ACTIVATE AS THEY ARE DESIGNED TO DO AND THE FUEL CONTAINER COULD RUPTURE AND EXPLODE. SUCH AN EXPLOSION COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH TO OCCUPANTS OF THE BUS OR TO…

Remedy

STRUCTURAL COMPOSITES WILL NOTIFY THE ORION BUS OWNERS. STRUCTURAL COMPOSITES HAS NOT YET PROVIDED THE AGENCY WITH A FINALIZED REMEDY. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SCI AT 1-909-444-2503 OR ORION AT 1-905-403-7832.

Defect investigations

Investigation PE04074 Opened 2004-11-02 · closed 2004-12-17

HYDRAULIC FAN FITTINGS LEAKING

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AFTER ODI VISITED A TRANSIT FLEET FACILITY AND OBSERVED A BUS THAT HAD EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.AFTER INSPECTING SIMILAR MODEL BUSES, SIX OTHER BUSES WERE FOUND TO HAVE LEAKING HYDRAULIC HOSES, RESULTING IN OILSPRAYINGINTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ONTO HOT ENGINE EXHAUST…

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 2003 Orion Vii as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.