Equipment recall 04E038000 · May 20, 2004

Orion Orion VII and VII

Certain compressed natural gas fuel containers, model ALT823D, p/n 1273147, equipped on certain 2003 and 2004 orion vii buses.

This is a recall of aftermarket equipment listed for the vehicles below. It applies only if the recalled part was installed on the vehicle.

Summary

Certain compressed natural gas fuel containers, model ALT823D, p/n 1273147, equipped on certain 2003 and 2004 orion vii buses. The nvg container's pressure relief devices fail to timely and fully activate as required by federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 304, compressed natural gas fuel container integrity.

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, if it were to occur, could cause serious injuries or death to occupants of the bus or to persons outside the bus.

Remedy

Structural composites will replace the pressure relief valve free of charge. Structural composites is expected to notify the owners of affected orion vii buses in June 2004. The recall began February 2005.

Notes

Also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).