The 2003 Gillig Low Floor has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 46,858 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA, most often about the exterior lighting. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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…
Consequence
The reduced visibility of the turn signals can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.
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.
GILLIG CORPORATION IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001 THROUGH 2009 TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 2001 AND SEPTEMBER 2009 EQUIPPED WITH LUMINATOR HORIZON LED SIDE DESTINATION SIGNS. THE CONNECTOR BOARD CAN CORRODE DUE TO AN ACCUMULATION OF MOISTURE UNDER THE CONNECTOR.
Consequence
A SHORT COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY CAUSING SMOKE AND FIRE.
Remedy
GILLIG WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND LUMINATOR WILL REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SPETEMBER 29, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LUMINATOR AT 1-972-516-3033 OR GILLIG FIELD SERVICES AT 1-800-735-1500.
ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES BUILT WITH CUMMINS ISL AND ISC DIESEL ENGINES EQUIPPED WITH THE CM850 FUEL SYSTEM, THE ENGINE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES, FROM THE ENGINE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP TO THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL, ARE PRONE TO FAILURE.
Consequence
FAILURE OF THE LINE INTRODUCES HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SPRAY INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH CAN IGNITE WHEN IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH A HOT SURFACE.
Remedy
CUMMINS WILL INSTALL A FUEL LINE BRACKET TO REDUCE FUEL LINE STRESS. A NEW FUEL LINE WILL BE INSTALLED WHEN ADDING THE BRACKET (PLEASE SEE 06E037). GILLIG NOTIFIED CUSTOMERS ON NOVEMBER 22, 2006. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-343-7357 OR GILLIG AT 510-264-5031.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING05V4730002005-10-125 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED WITH DETROIT DIESEL SERIES 50 ENGINES, THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) WILL NEED TO BE REPROGRAMMED TO ACTIVATE THE EXHAUST TEMPERATURE SENSOR.
Consequence
ENGINE MALFUNCTION COULD POSSIBLE LEAD TO ENGINE AND VEHICLE DAMAGE AND POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy
GILLIG IS WORKING WITH DETROIT DIESEL TO REPROGRAM THE ENGINES. GILLIG ISSUED A RENOTIFICATION LETTER TO OWNERS ON FEBRUARY 27, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DETROIT DIESEL AT 1-313-592-5791 OR GILLIG AT 1-510-785-1500.
CERTAIN GILLIG BUSES EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR TIE-DOWN SECUREMENT ASSEMBLIES. THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MAY BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT CAUSING THE LOAD PAWL NOT TO FULLY SEAT IN THE SPROCKET TEETH.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 8, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GILLIG AT 1-800-735-1500..
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING04V4850002004-10-07149 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN PHANTOM AND LOW FLOOR TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS 8.3L AND 8.9L ISC AND ISL DIESEL ENGINES, OIL CAN LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FROM A CRACK IN THE CUP PLUG.
Consequence
OIL LEAKAGE ON A HOT ENGINE CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES.
Remedy
CUMMINS WILL CONDUCT THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. CUMMINS WILL ISNTALL A STEEL CUP PLUG BOSS CAP ON THE AFFECTED ENGINES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CUMMINS CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-343-7357 OR GILLIG AT 510-785-1500.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING04V4860002004-10-07810 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…
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER04V3080002004-06-233 affected
Defect
CERTAIN LOW FLOOR BUSES POWERED BY A GASEOUS HYDROGEN FUEL SYSTEM. THESE TRANSDUCERS WERE MADE OF 17-4 PH STAINLESS STEEL MATERIAL WHICH MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO EMBRITTLEMENT IN A HIGH-PRESSURE HYDROGEN APPLICATION ENVIRONMENT.
Consequence
EMBRITTLEMENT COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO A TRANSDUCER DIAPHRAGM FAILURE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSDUCER. THE RECALL BEGAN JULY 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GILLIG AT 1-510-785-1500.
Complaints by component
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
1
Total complaints1
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Ann arbor transit purchased 19 new 2003 gillig [REDACTED]) low floor 40'&35' transit buses, delivered october 2003. Immediately, ann arbor transit experienced both front exterior turn signal failures affecting all 19 new buses. The failures include burnt out bulbs, loose bulb socket metal…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE03007 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…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Gillig Low Floor as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.