RoadVitals

1997 Gillig Low Floor

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
0
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
6
Latest Feb 24, 2017
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Gillig Low Floor. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 14 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
17V119000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

Feb 24, 2017
17,056 units potentially affected
The 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."
The risk: The reduced visibility of the turn signals may increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Gillig LLCView on NHTSA.gov
04V486000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

Oct 7, 2004
810 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL SERIES 40 ENGINES, THE TURBOCHARGER CAN FAIL ALLOWING LUBRICATING OIL TO SPILL ONTO THE ENGINE.
The risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
The 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.
GILLIG CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
03V392000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

Oct 14, 2003
2,201 units potentially affected
The defect: INCORRECT ASSEMBLY OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS AND SECUREMENT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD COME LOOSE.
The risk: INCORRECT ASSEMBLY COULD CAUSE ELECTRICAL SHORTS, ARCING, AND FIRE.
The 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.
GILLIG CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE02090ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

ENGINE COMPARTMENT INSULATION SAGGING

Opened Nov 29, 2002
Closed Dec 13, 2002

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.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGLed to recall 02V325000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

FS-2019-02

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS

Because of a supply issue with the blue hose covering, Eaton is temporarily making FC-300 hose using black covering. FC-300 hose assemblies made between October 2018 to May 2019 will be affected by this change.

FS-2018-02

STEERING

A procedure to properly adjust the draglink so the socket won't over articulate, causing increased wear.

FS-2018-01

STEERING; STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

It was found that an earlier Bulletin spec'd bolts that could be too long due to variances in bolt shoulder length, so this bulletin was written to make sure bolt attachments were correct.

FS-2016-06

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; STEERING; STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

Gillig has received reports of partial cracking in the steering gear mounting plate in some Low Floor buses. We are now requesting that owners of all Low Floor buses from model year 1997 through June, 2015 inspect the steering gear mounting plates per the instructions in this bulletin. Inspections should commence at the next Preventative Maintenance Cycle and continue at every 12,000 mile PM inspection thereafter. Steering Gear Mounting Plates found to have cracks less than 6 inches in length should be changed out at the earliest opportunity. Any bus found to have a Steering Gear Mounting Plate with a crack 6 inches long or longer must be immediately removed from service and the Plate replaced before reentering service. In either instance, Gillig will reimburse owners the cost of any replacement plate and the labor required to perform the repair. Lower floor

FS-2016-06

STEERING; STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

Gillig has received reports of partial cracking in the steering gear mounting plate in some Low Floor buses. We are now requesting that owners of all Low Floor buses from model year 1997 through June, 2015 inspect the steering gear mounting plates per the instructions in this bulletin. Inspections should commence at the next Preventative Maintenance Cycle and continue at every 12,000 mile PM inspection thereafter. Steering Gear Mounting Plates found to have cracks less than 6 inches in length should be changed out at the earliest opportunity. Any bus found to have a Steering Gear Mounting Plate with a crack 6 inches long or longer must be immediately removed from service and the Plate replaced before reentering service. In either instance, Gillig will reimburse owners the cost of any replacement plate and the labor required to perform the repair.

FS-2016-05

EQUIPMENT

THIS FIELD SERVICE BULLETIN PROVIDES NEW INFORMATION FROM BORG WARNER (DELCO) REVISING THE MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE FOR STARTER B+ CABLE MAINTENANCE AND TORQUE VALUES.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Gillig Low Floor by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026020—
2025040—
2024090—
20230150—
20220110—
20210120—
20200140—
20191120—
20180130—
20170150—
20161200—
20150190—
20141230—
20130170—
20120110—
20110100—
2010090—
2009050—
2008150—
2007080—
2006050—
2005040—
2004080—
2003191—
2002081—
20010102—
20001102—
19990102—
19980102—
1997Viewing061—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.