2017 Gillig Low Floor problems, complaints & recalls

Defect: Gillig, LLC (Gillig) is recalling certain 2014-2021 Low Floor transit buses. The rear-mounted ultracapacitors may allow the engine to be started when the master battery disconnect switch is in the "OFF" position.

Risk: The engine may be started unexpectedly, increasing the risk of injury to anyone nearby the engine compartment during maintenance operations.

Fix: Dealers will update the software for the buses equipped with the Vanner Ultracapacitor system, and conduct a hard rewire for the buses equipped with the KBI system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 22, 2022. Owners may contact Gillig's customer service at 1-510-264-5073 for 1-800-735-1500.

Defect: Gillig, LLC. (Gillig) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Low Floor vehicles. The sealing washer may not seat correctly in the pilot bore holes, allowing the high pressure fuel rail assembly to leak.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Gillig will inspect the rail threads, and replace the rail as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Gillig customer service at 1-510-264-5073 or 1-800-735-1500.

Defect: Gillig, LLC. (Gillig) is recalling certain 2013-2020 hybrid and all-electric Low Floor buses equipped with a steering system that uses a high-voltage electric motor and hydraulic pump assembly to provide power steering assist. The shaft coupling between the motor and pump may fail and cause a loss of hydraulic power steering assist.

Risk: A loss of power steering assist may increase the risk of crash.

Fix: Gillig will notify owners, and dealers will replace the motor-pump assemblies, free of charge. The recall began August 13, 2020. Owners may contact Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500.

Defect: Gillig LLC (Gillig) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Low Floor buses. The circuit breaker ratings on the DEF Line Heater circuit and the Aftertreatment-Ignition circuit may be higher than the rating for the wire and connector.

Risk: With the improper circuit breaker rating, an electrical short in either of these circuits may increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Gillig will notify owners, and dealers will replace the circuit breakers, free of charge. The recall began April 24, 2020. Owners may contact Gillig customer service at 1-510-264-5073 or 1-800-735-1500.

Defect: Gillig LLC (Gillig) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Low Floor buses. Uncovered electrical terminals in the headlight power circuit may short circuit to ground, causing a loss of headlights.

Risk: A loss of headlights can reduce the driver's ability to see, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Gillig has notified owners, and dealers will install new back covers on the headlight buckets, free of charge. The recall began April 1, 2019. Owners may contact Gillig customer service at 1-510-264-5073 or 1-800-735-1500.

Defect: Gillig LLC (Gillig) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Low Floor buses. The ball stud of the steering system draglink may not have been properly tightened.

Risk: If the ball stud is insufficiently tightened, the ball stud may wear, resulting in reduced handling and stability, increasing the risk of crash.

Fix: Gillig will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the ball stud tightness, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 20, 2019. Owners may contact Gillig customer service at 1-510-264-5073 or 1-800-735-1500.

Defect: Gillig, LLC (Gillig) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Gillig Low Floor transit buses. As built, one of the emergency exit windows may not be able to be easily used in the event of an emergency. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 217, "Bus Emergency Exits and Window Retention and Release."

Risk: An obstructed emergency exit can hinder passengers from vacating the bus in the event of an emergency, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Gillig will notify owners, and dealers will move one of the emergency exit windows to an unobstructed location, free of charge. The recall began February 22, 2019. Owners may contact Gillig's customer service at 1-510-264-5073 or 1-800-735-1500.

Defect: Gillig LLC (Gillig) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Gillig Low Floor transit buses equipped with disk brakes. The spring cage bolts on the air brakes may not be sufficiently tightened, reducing the effectiveness of the parking brake.

Risk: Loose cage bolts may result in the bus rolling away when in the park position or a loss of braking ability if the service brake air pressure is lost while moving. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Gillig will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the spring cage bolts, free of charge. The recall began December 10, 2018. Owners may contact Gillig customer service at 1-510-264-5073 or 1-800-735-1500.

Defect: Gillig LLC (Gillig) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Gillig Low Floor transit buses equipped with certain Allison transmission hybrid drive units. The pressure switches on these Drive Units may fail, possibly resulting in a loss of drive.

Risk: A loss of drive can disable the vehicle unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Gillig will notify owners, and Allison Transmission service centers will replace the C1 and C2 pressure switches, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2018. Owners may contact Allison Transmission at 1-800-252-5283 or Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500.

Defect: Gillig LLC (Gillig) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Gillig Low Floor vehicles. The front and rear turn signals on these vehicles may flash at different rates, potentially confusing other drivers of the vehicle's intention. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: The mismatched flashing may confuse other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Gillig will notify the owner of the buses, and dealers will reprogram the turn signals with new software, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2018. Owners may contact Gillig customer service at 1-510-264-5073 or 1-800-735-1500.

Defect: Gillig LLC (Gillig) is recalling certain 2001-2018 Gillig Low Floor transit buses. The turn signals may flash slowly, reducing their visibility to other drivers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: The reduced visibility of the turn signals can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Gillig will notify owners, and dealers will update the software that controls the turn flash rate, free of charge. The recall began on August 2, 2018. Owners may contact Gillig customer service at 1-510-264-5073 or 1-800-735-1500.

Defect: Gillig LLC (Gillig) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Low Floor transit buses, equipped with Recaro Commercial Bus Driver Seats. In the affected seats, the seat belt buckle may be stuck in the locked position, preventing the seat belt tongue from being able to be inserted and locked.

Risk: If the seat belt cannot be latched, the bus may be operated without the seat belt being used, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: Gillig will notify owners and work with the supplier to replace the buckles, free of charge. The recall began on October 4, 2017. Owners may contact Adient-Recaro at 1-248-484-3250 or Gillig Service at 1-800-735-1500.

Defect: Gillig LLC (Gillig) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Low Floor transit buses. The affected vehicles have wiper arms that can crack where they mount to the wiper motor causing the wiper arms to bend or detach from the vehicle.

Risk: A loss of wiper function can reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Gillig will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected wiper arms, free of charge. The recall began on March 31, 2017. Owners may contact Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500.

Defect: Gillig LLC (Gillig) is recalling certain model year 1997-2017 Low Floor transit buses. The front turn signals installed on standard profile (non-BRT) buses may not be sufficiently visible to other drivers or pedestrians. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: The reduced visibility of the turn signals may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Gillig will notify owners, and dealers will install turn signals that have increased visibility. The recall began June 7, 2019. Owners may contact Gillig customer service at 1-510-264-5073 or 1-800-735-1500.

Defect: Gillig, LLC (Gillig) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Low Floor transit buses. These vehicles have front LED turn signals with integrated side reflex reflectors that may not be sufficiently visible to other drivers or pedestrians. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: A bus that has reduced visibility to other drivers or pedestrians has an increased risk of a crash.

Fix: Gillig will notify owners and will replace the LED turn signal/reflector units, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 31, 2017. Owners may contact Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500.