Recall 14V459 affects 252 2013-2014 Gillig Low Floor buses missing a rear-brake quick release valve. Repair is free at any franchised Gillig dealer.
Gillig is recalling 252 2013-2014 Low Floor transit buses because buses built with rear disc brakes were produced without a quick release valve for the rear brakes. If the anti-lock brake system is not working during a significant braking event, delayed brake release can lock the rear wheels and raise crash risk; the Gillig dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The rear air disc brakes on 2013-2014 Gillig Low Floor buses use compressed air to apply and release braking force at the rear wheels. A quick release valve is part of that air system. Its job is to vent air near the rear brakes so the brake chambers can release pressure as designed after the driver lets off the pedal.
On the affected buses, Gillig says the rear disc brake setup was built without that quick release valve. That leaves the rear brake plumbing different from the required Air Brake Systems standard. The issue is not a worn pad or a driver adjustment problem; it is a missing air-brake component from production.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or fleet operator should treat this as a build-spec brake issue, even if the bus appears to stop normally during daily service.
Who's affected?
Spans 2 model years, both tied to the brake system component listed below.
| 2014 Gillig Low Floor | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2013 Gillig Low Floor | brake system |
| Units affected | 252 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
When the anti-lock brake system is not working, a hard braking event on certain road conditions can lock the rear brakes. Delayed brake release timing can keep the rear wheels locked longer and increase crash risk. Schedule the recall repair soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Gillig dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2014 Gillig Low Floor bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Gillig dealer to schedule the free quick release valve installation that restores rear brake release timing.
- Bring the recall notice if Gillig sent one, and reference recall number 14V459 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, especially during heavy braking or poor road conditions.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Gillig technician installs the missing quick release valve for the rear brake system on affected Low Floor buses built with rear disc brakes. That valve helps the rear brakes release as designed after the driver lets off the brake pedal. Gillig's remedy says the valve installation is free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014, but the source does not state a separate reimbursement program, so prior paid repairs are not addressed in this section.
Timeline
| July 28, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 15, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V459?
Recall 14V459 covers 252 2013-2014 Gillig Low Floor transit buses built with rear disc brakes and missing a rear-brake quick release valve. The defect affects brake release timing, and Gillig dealers install the missing valve for free.
What should I do if my 2013-2014 Gillig Low Floor is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 14V459. If it is, contact a Gillig dealer or Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500 to arrange installation of the rear-brake quick release valve. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Gillig's remedy says dealers install the rear-brake quick release valve free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is delayed rear-brake release during a significant braking event when the anti-lock brake system is not functioning. Under those conditions, the rear wheels can lock, increasing the risk of a crash. The dealer repair addresses the missing quick release valve.
When did the Gillig Low Floor recall repair begin?
Gillig began the recall repair on September 15, 2014. Owners can contact a Gillig dealer or Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500 and reference recall 14V459 when arranging the free quick release valve installation.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V459000 |
|---|---|
| Gillig customer service | 1-800-735-1500 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V459 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V459000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →