NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 11V523

Manufacturer: DAIMLER BUSES NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Make / Model Years: ORION / 2006,2008-2011

Subject: LITHIUM ION ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM/POSSIBLE FIRE

Vehicle Make / Model:		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.

Notes:
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .