Recall 15V219 affects 623 2013-2015 Gillig Low Floor transit buses for rubbing front brake air hoses. Repair is free at any franchised Gillig dealer.
Gillig is recalling 623 2013-2015 Low Floor transit buses equipped with disc brakes because the front brake air hoses can rub against the air bag suspension towers. If a hose wears through, the air leak reduces brake air pressure, lengthens stopping distance, and increases crash risk; Gillig dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
On 2013-2015 Gillig Low Floor transit buses with disc brakes, the front brake air hoses carry compressed air to the brake chambers at the wheels. When the driver presses the brake pedal, that air pressure moves the brake chamber and applies the brakes. The hose has to stay clear of nearby suspension parts while the bus moves and the suspension travels.
On affected buses, the front left and right brake air hoses were longer than needed. That extra length lets the hose touch the air bag suspension tower. Over time, rubbing against the tower wears the hose surface and can open a hole, letting air escape during brake application.
A technician can see wear on the brake hose during inspection or maintenance. Drivers or maintenance staff can also hear air escaping from a damaged hose when the brakes are applied, and the issue can be found during an FMVSS 121 in-service brake systems test.
Who's affected?
Spans three Low Floor model years, with the same brake system component listed for each year.
| 2015 Gillig Low Floor | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2014 Gillig Low Floor | brake system |
| 2013 Gillig Low Floor | brake system |
| Units affected | 623 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
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?
A front brake hose that rubs the air bag suspension tower can develop a hole, reducing brake air pressure. That lengthens stopping distance and increases crash risk. Treat visible hose wear or air noise during brake application as a reason to stop the trip and schedule service. Repair is free at any franchised Gillig dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2015 Gillig Low Floor bus is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Gillig dealer to schedule the free shorter brake-hose replacement that keeps the front brake hoses away from the air bag suspension towers.
- Bring the recall notice if Gillig mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V219 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance and avoid hard braking when practical.
- Call Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500 with questions about the recall or dealer scheduling.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Gillig technician replaces the front left and right brake air hoses with shorter hoses that stay clear of the air bag suspension towers. The recall repair is available now, and the replacement hoses and labor are free. Gillig's reimbursement plan covers affected customers for the time spent inspecting vehicles and reworking buses that needed hose replacement. If your bus already went through that inspection or rework, contact Gillig customer service with the work details so the reimbursement can be handled.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 13, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| April 13, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 14, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
| April 28, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
| May 13, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V219?
Recall 15V219 covers 623 2013-2015 Gillig Low Floor transit buses with disc brakes. The front brake air hoses can rub the air bag suspension towers, create an air leak, reduce brake air pressure, lengthen stopping distance, and increase crash risk. Gillig dealers replace the hoses for free.
What should I do if my 2013-2015 Gillig Low Floor is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 15V219. If it is, contact a franchised Gillig dealer to schedule the brake-hose replacement. Reference recall number 15V219 when you call. Gillig customer service is available at 1-800-735-1500.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Gillig's remedy states that dealers will replace the brake hoses with shorter hoses free of charge. The new hoses are designed to avoid contact with the suspension tower.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced braking performance. If the front brake hoses rub the suspension tower, a hole can form, causing an air leak and lower brake air pressure. That lengthens the distance needed to stop the transit bus and increases crash risk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V219000 |
|---|---|
| Gillig customer service | 1-800-735-1500 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V219 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V219000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →