1998 Gillig Low Floor Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1998 Gillig Low Floor has 10 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 31,441 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 17V119000 2017-02-24 17,056 affected
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…

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.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 04V486000 2004-10-07 810 affected
Defect

ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL SERIES 40 ENGINES, THE TURBOCHARGER CAN FAIL ALLOWING LUBRICATING OIL TO SPILL ONTO THE ENGINE.

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…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 03V392000 2003-10-14 2,201 affected
Defect

INCORRECT ASSEMBLY OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS AND SECUREMENT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD COME LOOSE.

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…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 03V055000 2003-02-21 644 affected
Defect

ON CERTAIN 1998-2002 35' AND 40' BUSES AND 1999-2002 29' BUSES, THE INSTALLATION OF THE AIR CONDITIONER UNIT USES BOLTS ALONG THE EDGE OF THE HOUSING FOR ATTACHMENT. ONE SPECIFIC BOLT CAN BE TOO CLOSE TO THE MAIN POWER CABLE ATTACHMENT. POSITIONAL TOLERANCE OR THE USE OF TOO LONG A BOLT COULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL…

Consequence

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD LEAD TO COMPONENT FAILURE OR POTENTIALLY A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED TO CUT THE EXCESS LENGTH OF THE AIR CONDITIONER UNIT MOUNTING BOLT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 28, 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…

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 02V325000 2002-12-06 2,108 affected
Defect

ON CERTAIN LOW FLOOR 29', 35' AND 40' BUSES, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT INSULATION COULD FATIGUE AND SAG, POTENTIALLY TOUCHING THE TURBOCHARGER.

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…

STEERING 02V189000 2002-07-25 2,558 affected
Defect

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

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.

STRUCTURE 02V059004 2002-03-21 897 affected
Defect

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

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 02V071003 2002-03-18 2,113 affected
Defect

ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH VANNER 60 SERIES BATTERY EQUALIZERS, THE EQUALIZER COULD FAIL TO OPERATE PROPERLY AND CAUSE MALFUNCTION OF THE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM.

Consequence

WITHOUT FUSING, THE EQUALIZER MAY MELT, BURN, OR SMOKE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE OR A SMOKE FILLED BUS, THUS NECESSITATING A PASSENGER EVACUATION OF THE BUS. THE FAILURE MODE CAN CAUSE OPERATOR DISTRACTION, AND/OR POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUSES FOR CERTAIN EQUALIZERS BY THE DATE CODE. 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 OR VANNER AT 1-800-227-6937.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 01V033004 2001-03-07 2,113 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH VANNER 60 SERIES BATTERY EQUALIZERS. THE EQUALIZER COULD FAIL TO OPERATE PROPERLY AND CAUSE MALFUNCTION OF THE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM.

Consequence

WITHOUT FUSING, THE EQUALIZER MAY MELT, BURN, OR SMOKE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE OR A SMOKE FILLED BUS, THUS NECESSITATING A PASSENGER EVACUATION OF THE BUS. THE FAILURE MODE CAN CAUSE OPERATOR DISTRACTION, AND/OR POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

VANNER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS TO INSPECT THEIR BUSES FOR CERTAIN EQUALIZERS BY THE DATE CODE. THE AFFECTED EQUALIZERS WILL BE REPLACED. VANNER IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR THIS CAMPAIGN AND WAS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON…

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 00V145000 2000-05-18 941 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LOW FLOOR TRANSIT BUSES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE REFLEX REFLECTORS ON THE SIDE, FRONT (AMBER) AND REAR(RED) POSITIONS ARE MISSING.

Consequence

THIS IS A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD AT NIGHT.

Remedy

THE CORRECT REFLEX REFLECTORS WILL BE INSTALLED.

Defect investigations

Investigation PE02090 Opened 2002-11-29 · closed 2002-12-13

ENGINE COMPARTMENT INSULATION SAGGING

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…

Investigation PE03007 Opened 2003-02-07 · closed 2003-02-24

POWER CABLE GROUNDING

IN LATE OCTOBER 2002, GILLIG CORPORATION RELEASED A FIELD SERVICE BULLETIN ADVISING OWNERS THAT A PROTRUDING BOLT ON THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT (A/C) COULD MAKE CONTACT WITH AN UNINSULATED POWER CABLE END AND POSSIBLY CAUSE A FIRE.THE REMEDY WAS TO REMOVE THE EXCESS LENGTH FROM THE A/C BOLT.AS A RESULT OF THE AGENCY'S…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 Gillig Low Floor as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.