In a news release Saturday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announce that Daimler Buses North America is recalling certain 2010 Orion VII transit buses due to a fault in the engine cooling system, which poses a risk of a vehicle fire.
Subject to recall are 96 transit buses built from November 2010 through January 2011. Hot exhaust gasses have the potential to escape before reaching the tailpipe due to a faulty T-bolt in the V-clamp assembly, posing a risk of combustion and fire. The V-clamp assembly connects the inlet and outlet cone sections to the diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC)/diesel particulate filter (DPF). The T-bolt has the potential to fail or fracture under stress or load. If the T-bolt becomes compromised, the clamp could loosen, causing the inlet or outlet sections to disconnect from the DOC/DPF housing. Also, in some cases, if both clamps fail the DOC/DPF housing may completely detach, which could result in a road hazard.
The affected transit buses are outfitted with a Cummins ISB, ISX, ISC or ISL diesel engine. DBNA is working with Cummins to identify and notify affected owners of the recalled buses. The recall is expected to begin this month. Authorized Cummins dealers will perform needed repairs on the affected vehicles free of charge.
I hope no one has been injured as a result of the fault with the engine cooling system. As a Fresno personal injury lawyer, I urge owners to have the affected transit buses inspected and, if necessary, repaired as soon as possible.