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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The reduced visibility of the turn signals may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL SERIES 40 ENGINES, THE TURBOCHARGER CAN FAIL ALLOWING LUBRICATING OIL TO SPILL ONTO THE ENGINE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE TURBOCHARGER TO PREVENT THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. DETROIT DIESEL IS CONDUCTING OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. GILLIG ISSUED A RENOTIFICATION LETTER TO OWNERS ON FEBRUARY 27, 2007. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DETROIT DETROIT DIESEL AT 313-5923708 OR GILLIG AT 510-785-1500.
INCORRECT ASSEMBLY OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS AND SECUREMENT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD COME LOOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INCORRECT ASSEMBLY COULD CAUSE ELECTRICAL SHORTS, ARCING, AND FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT ENGINE COMPARTMENT WIRING FOR CORRECT CABLE ASSEMBLY, FASTNER TORQUE, AND CORRECT WIRE PROTECTION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 29, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT GILLIG AT 510-785-1500.
ON CERTAIN LOW FLOOR 29', 35' AND 40' BUSES, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT INSULATION COULD FATIGUE AND SAG, POTENTIALLY TOUCHING THE TURBOCHARGER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: GILLIG IS PROVIDING THE OWNERS WITH NEW INSULATION AND INSTALLATION PROCEDURES. THE NEW INSULATION IS TO BE INSTALLED ON THE INSIDE SIDE SURFACE OF THE ACCESS HATCH AND A MECHANICAL RETAINING STRIP TO SUPPORT THE ADJACENT INSULATION. THE RETAINING STRIP IS ATTACHED WITH NUTS AND BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 19, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT GILLIG AT 1-800-735-1500.
ON CERTAIN LOW FLOOR 29, 35, AND 40 FOOT BUSES, THE STEERING GEAR INPUT SHAFT BOLT INSTALLED WAS A 3/8" DIAMETER COARSE THREAD GRADE 8 FASTENER INSTEAD OF THE REQUIRED 7/16" DIAMETER FINE THREAD GRADE 8 FASTENER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR SOME OTHER EXTRAORDINARY SHOCK LOAD ON THE STEERING, A LOSS OF STEERING COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT FASTENER WITH THE CORRECT FASTENER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 6, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT GILLIG AT 1-510-785-1500.
ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH ADHESIVELY BONDED ALUMINUM BUS DOOR PANELS, DUE TO AN IMPERFECT BONDING OF THE DOOR PANEL SKIN TO THE PANEL FRAME, ENVIRONMENTAL MOISTURE MAY INFILTRATE REGIONS OF IMPERFECT BONDING AND CAUSE SEPARATION OF THE FRAME AND DOOR PANEL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, IF THE PANEL IS SEPARATING OR HAS SEPARATED, A PASSENGER COULD FALL FROM THE BUS ONTO THE ROADWAY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: VAPOR WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS TO HAVE THEIR BUSES INSPECTED AND WILL INSTALL MECHANICAL FASTENERS TO ATTACH THE SKINS TO THE FRAME ELEMENTS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VAPOR CORPORATION AT 847-967-8300 OR VAPOR AT 1510-785-1500.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE02090 · Engine Compartment Insulation Sagging
Opened Nov 29, 2002 · Closed Dec 13, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2002, GILLIG ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN (FS-2002-04)ADDRESSING THE OVERHEAD INSULATION IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT OVER TIME COULD SAG AND CONTACT THE HOT SURFACE OF THE ENGINE TURBOCHARGER.THIS TYPE FAILURE COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.DUE TO THE AGENCY'S INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER, GILLIG HAS AGREED TO INITIATE A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN AND RETROFIT 2,108 BUSES WITH NEW INSULATION AND RETAINING STRIPS.THE ACTION TAKEN BY GILLIG IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.A COPY OF THE SAFETY RECALL IS ATTACHED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
1997 Gillig Low Floor Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration