2011 Orion Orion Vii Li-ion Hybrid Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V523000
Manufacturer: Daimler Buses North America
Manufactured Begin Date: July 1st, 2008
Manufactured End Date: August 31st, 2011
Date of Owner Notification: November 16th, 2011

Defect 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 Summary:
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.

Corrective Summary:
ORION WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY BAE SYSTEMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER BUSES NORTH AMERICA AT 1-905-403-1111.

Recall 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 .