Model Year(s):

ORION / ORION VII LI-ION ESS 2006

ORION / ORION VII LI-ION HYBRID 2008-2011

Manufacturer: DAIMLER BUSES NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Mfr's Report Date: OCT 25, 2011

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V523000

NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY

Potential Number of Units Affected: 1,300

Summary:
DAIMLER BUSES IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 ORION VII LI-ION HYBRID TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 2008 THROUGH AUGUST 2011 AND MODEL YEAR 2006 ORION VII LI-ION ESS TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007, CONTAINS BAE SYSTEMS (BAE) LITHIUM ION ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM (ESS). OVER TIME, PARTICULATE DEBRIS CAN ACCUMULATE IN THE HYBRID SYSTEM'S LI-ION STORAGE SYSTEM (LI-ION ESS). ACCUMULATED DEBRIS IN CONJUNCTION WITH MOISTURE CAN BREACH THE ELECTRICAL ISOLATION OF THE HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY PACK. A CONDUCTIVE PATH CAN BE CREATED IF THE ELECTRICAL ISOLATION IS BREACHED AT BOTH ENDS OF THE BATTERY.

Consequence:
THIS CAN RESULT IN THE UNINTENTIONAL DISCHARGE OF THE BATTERY'S STORED ENERGY, CREATING A RISK OF SMOKE, MELTING AND CHARRING, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy:
ORION WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY BAE SYSTEMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER BUSES NORTH AMERICA AT 1-905-403-1111.