Recall 16V701 affects 143 2016 Gillig Low Floor buses for under-greased axle wheel ends. Do not drive. Gillig service centers add grease free.
Bearing failure can increase crash risk. Noise and vibration from the wheel end are warning signs as the bearing failure worsens. Do not drive the bus, even for short moves; remove it from operation and arrange service or towing if it must move. Repair is free at any franchised Gillig dealer.
Gillig is recalling 143 2016 Low Floor transit buses because the wheel-end axles had too little grease, and the bearings can fail as a result. Bearing failure can increase the risk of a crash, so Do not drive the bus until a Gillig dealer completes the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The axle assembly on a 2016 Gillig Low Floor bus carries drive and braking loads out to the wheels. At each wheel end, bearings let the hub rotate around the axle with controlled friction. Grease is the protective layer that keeps those bearings cool and separated from metal-to-metal contact.
On affected buses, the supplier assembly process allowed Meritor axle assemblies to leave the plant with little to no grease in the wheel ends. Without enough grease, the bearing runs hot and wears quickly. As the damage grows, the hub can be damaged and the bearing can fail. The problem is the missing lubrication at the wheel end, not the whole axle design.
An owner, driver, or maintenance crew can notice noise and vibration from the wheel end as the bearing failure gets worse. Treat that sound or vibration as a service warning, especially on a Gillig Low Floor bus covered by campaign 16V701.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Gillig Low Floor | drive axle |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 143 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 6 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
Bearing failure can increase crash risk. Noise and vibration from the wheel end are warning signs as the bearing failure worsens. Do not drive the bus, even for short moves; remove it from operation and arrange service or towing if it must move. Repair is free at any franchised Gillig dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Gillig Low Floor bus is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the bus until the wheel-bearing inspection and grease repair is complete.
- Arrange a tow if the bus has to be moved to a Gillig service center; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact a Gillig service center or your fleet service team to schedule the free wheel-end bearing inspection and grease repair.
- Bring the recall notice if Gillig mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V701 when you call.
What happens at the repair
At a Gillig service center, a Gillig technician inspects the wheel bearings and adds grease as needed using Meritor wheel end service procedures. Gillig covers the recall remedy at no cost. Fleets can also complete the inspection, lubrication maintenance, and needed repairs through their own qualified staff or contractors. In those cases, Gillig provides replacement parts at no charge and reimburses all costs related to the recall remedy. Keep buses with affected axles out of operation until the recall remedy is complete.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 28, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| September 28, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| September 29, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| October 5, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 21, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V701?
Recall 16V701 covers 143 2016 Gillig Low Floor transit buses with axles that have insufficient grease at the wheel ends. The wheel bearings can fail and increase crash risk. Gillig service centers or fleet services will inspect the wheel bearings and add grease for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Gillig Low Floor is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included in recall 16V701. If it is included, do not keep it in operation. Contact Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500 or your fleet service provider to arrange the wheel-bearing inspection and grease repair.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Gillig will cover the wheel-bearing inspection and added grease. The work is handled through Gillig service centers or fleet services for the bus owner.
What does do not drive mean for this Gillig bus?
Do not drive means the bus should be removed from operation until the recall repair is complete. Gillig advised that vehicles with the affected axles stay out of service because wheel-bearing failure can increase the risk of a crash.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V701000 |
|---|---|
| Gillig customer service | 1-800-735-1500 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V701 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V701000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →