2015 Gillig Low Floor 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.

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

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.

Owner notification: June 22, 2022 · Filing manufacturer: Gillig, LLC

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.

Why it matters: A loss of power steering assist may increase the risk of crash.

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.

Owner notification: August 13, 2020 · Filing manufacturer: Gillig LLC

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.

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

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.

Owner notification: April 24, 2020 · Filing manufacturer: Gillig LLC

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.

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

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.

Owner notification: April 1, 2019 · Filing manufacturer: Gillig LLC

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.

Why it matters: 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.

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.

Owner notification: December 10, 2018 · Filing manufacturer: Gillig LLC

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.".

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

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.

Owner notification: August 30, 2018 · Filing manufacturer: Gillig LLC

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.".

Why it matters: The reduced visibility of the turn signals can increase the risk of a crash.

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.

Owner notification: August 2, 2018 · Filing manufacturer: Gillig LLC

Defect: Gillig LLC (Gillig) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Hybrid and all Electric Low Floor buses with electro-hydraulic power steering assist. The coupler between the high-voltage electric motor and hydraulic steering pump shafts may fail, resulting in a loss of power steering assist.

Why it matters: A loss of power steering assist will cause the need for increased steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.

Gillig will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering motor-pump assemblies, free of charge. The recall began on October 24, 2017. Owners may contact Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500.

Owner notification: October 24, 2017 · Filing manufacturer: Gillig LLC

Defect: Gillig LLC (Gillig) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Low Floor transit buses equipped with Norgren-brand suspension kneeling modules. The suspension kneeling modules on these vehicles have snap rings on the solenoid valve pistons which may not have been fully inserted and seated during assembly, potentially affecting the suspension air bag pressure and the vehicle's suspension height.

Why it matters: An unexpected loss of suspension air bag pressure while driving would result in an abrupt reduction in suspension height, potentially increasing the risk of a crash. A loss of suspension air bag pressure could also occur during vehicle servicing, increasing the risk of injury to maintenance personnel.

Gillig will notify owners and pay fleets to inspect the front and rear kneeling modules. A snap ring reset tool will be provided free of charge to permanently seat the snap ring in the intended groove. The recall began on June 2, 2017. Owners may contact Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500.

Owner notification: June 2, 2017 · Filing manufacturer: Gillig LLC

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.".

Why it matters: The reduced visibility of the turn signals may increase the risk of a crash.

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.

Owner notification: June 7, 2019 · Filing manufacturer: Gillig LLC

Defect: Gillig LLC (Gillig) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Low Floor compressed natural gas (CNG) transit buses manufactured September 1, 2015, to December 5, 2016, equipped with Amerex SafetyNet fire suppression system panel/controller units. These buses have gas detection electronics that may be disabled without providing the operator with a warning of a system malfunction. Affected display panel/controller units were also provided as replacement parts for warranty claims, part numbers 16389, 24109, 24918, 24926 and 24927.

Why it matters: If not corrected, the fire suppression systems on certain CNG-powered buses may fail to indicate the presence of a natural gas (methane) leak. In such cases, the driver will not receive a fault code indicating that the Gas Detection electronics have been disabled. This may increase the risk of asphyxiation, fire, or explosion.

Gillig will notify owners, and Amerex representatives will replace the Operator Display Panel/Controllers, free of charge. The recall began January 20, 2017. Owners may contact Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500.

Owner notification: January 20, 2017 · Filing manufacturer: Gillig LLC

Defect: Gillig LLC (Gillig) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Gillig 29-foot Low Floor transit buses manufactured November 20, 2014, to February 11, 2016. These buses, equipped with disc brakes, have rear brake hoses that can rub chassis components and fray.

Why it matters: A frayed hose may leak air, causing the rear brake(s) to lock up unexpectedly, or fail to operate when the brakes are applied. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.

Gillig will provide fleets new rear brake hoses, fittings, clamps, and hardware along with instructions on how to reorient the hoses using the new fittings, and reimburse them for their labor, free of charge. The recall began on September 29, 2016. Owners may contact Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500.

Owner notification: September 29, 2016 · Filing manufacturer: Gillig LLC

Defect: Gillig LLC (Gillig) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Lowfloor diesel-electric hybrid vehicles manufactured March 6, 2012, to June 7, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with stop lamp activation that may inadvertently flash the rear brake lights. As such, these vehicles do not comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment.".

Why it matters: Flashing brake lights may cause confusion to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Gillig will notify owners, and dealers will install a new software update, free of charge. The recall began on July 2016. Owners may contact Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500.

Owner notification: July 1, 2016 · Filing manufacturer: Gillig LLC

Defect: Gillig LLC (Gillig) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Low Floor transit buses manufactured April 1, 2010 to October 30, 2015, equipped with Recaro Ergo-M Commercial Bus Driver Seats. The affected seats have J-Brackets that may be missing welds which could allow the seat belt anchorage assembly to separate from the J-Bracket.

Why it matters: If the seatbelt anchorage assembly separates from the J-Bracket, the bus driver may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash increasing their risk of injury.

Gillig will notify the owners, and dealers will inspect the seats to determine if welds are missing. Any J-Bracket that is missing welds will be removed and replaced, free of charge. The recall began on March 1, 2016. Owners may contact Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500.

Owner notification: March 1, 2016 · Filing manufacturer: Gillig LLC

Defect: Gillig LLC (Gillig) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Low Floor vehicles manufactured November 20, 2014, to June 2, 2015. The affected vehicles may be equipped with front brake chambers with an incorrect drain hole orientation. This can allow water to build up within the brake chamber, causing corrosion, deterioration, and reduce braking ability.

Why it matters: Corrosion, part deterioration, or frozen water in the brake chamber may reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

Gillig will notify owners and the brake chambers will be replaced free of charge. The recall began on March 1, 2016. Owners may contact Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500.

Owner notification: March 1, 2016 · Filing manufacturer: Gillig LLC

Defect: Gillig LLC (Gillig) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Low Floor transit buses manufactured April 13, 2010, to June 12, 2015. Due to the routing of the grid heater electrical power cable, the cable may chafe against a fuel injector hard line.

Why it matters: If the electrical power cable rubs against the injector fuel line, the cable may short circuit or the fuel line may leak fuel. Either possibility increases the risk of a fire.

Gillig will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the grid heater power cable/hard injector fuel line for wear, and will properly route and support the grid heater power cable, free of charge. The recall began on July 17, 2015. Owners may contact Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500.

Owner notification: July 17, 2015 · Filing manufacturer: Gillig LLC

Defect: Gillig LLC (Gillig) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Low Floor vehicles manufactured September 1, 2014, to April 30, 2015. The affected vehicles may have a taillight bracket that is inadequately bonded to the bus body.

Why it matters: If the bracket is inadequately bonded, it may detach from the body, preventing the stop and turn lights from being visible to following vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Gillig has notified owners. Gillig will inspect the taillight brackets to verify that they are properly bonded to the body. Brackets that are not properly bonded will be removed and properly bonded to the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2015. Owners may contact Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500.

Owner notification: June 12, 2015 · Filing manufacturer: Gillig LLC

Defect: Gillig LLC (Gillig) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Lowfloor vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to April 30, 2015. Excessive engine crankcase pressures may cause the 90-degree elbow of the vent tube assembly to detach from the crankcase ventilation breather, possibly allowing engine oil to come into contact with hot surfaces.

Why it matters: If engine oil comes into contact with a hot surface, there is an increased risk of a fire.

Gillig will notify owners, and dealers will secure the ends of the 90-degree elbow. In addition, the electronic control module (ECM) will be reprogrammed with software that can adjust the engine output under misfire conditions to limit crankcase pressures. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 2, 2015. Owners may contact Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500.

Owner notification: June 2, 2015 · Filing manufacturer: Gillig LLC

Defect: Gillig LLC (Gillig) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Low Floor transit buses manufactured July 8, 2013, to February 7, 2015 and equipped with disc brakes. The front left and right brake air hoses that connect to the brake chamber may touch and rub against the air bag suspension towers.

Why it matters: If the front brake hoses rub the air bag suspension tower, a hole may develop and the resulting air leak may reduce the brake air pressure, lengthening the distance needed to stop the transit bus and increasing the risk of a crash.

Gillig has notified owners, and dealers will replace the brake hoses with shorter ones that will not contact the suspension tower, free of charge. The recall began on April 28, 2015. Owners may contact Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500.

Owner notification: April 28, 2015 · Filing manufacturer: Gillig LLC