Recall 17V156 affects 2,732 2016-2017 Gillig Low Floor buses for cracked wiper arms. Repair is free at any franchised Gillig dealer.
Gillig is recalling 2,732 2016-2017 Low Floor transit buses because the wiper arms can crack at the wiper motor mount, then bend or detach from the vehicle. Loss of wiper function reduces driver visibility and increases crash risk; Gillig dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The windshield wiper arm on a 2016-2017 Gillig Low Floor bus is the metal arm that holds the wiper blade against the windshield. The wiper motor moves that arm back and forth so the blade clears rain, spray, and road grime from the driver's view. The arm has to stay firmly attached at its mount while the motor moves it under load.
On affected buses, the Version 1 Sprague Devices wiper arm uses a cast zinc mount with a thin open pocket in the metal. That thin section does not hold up as designed. Cracks can form at the mount, and once the mount weakens, the wiper arm can bend or detach while the wipers are operating.
The warning sign is visible cracking around the wiper arm mount casting. A service inspection can catch the cracking before the arm bends or comes off.
Who's affected?
Both model years are tied to the same wiper system component.
| 2016 Gillig Low Floor | wiper system |
|---|---|
| 2017 Gillig Low Floor | wiper system |
| Units affected | 2,732 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 7 field incidents 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 loss of wiper function reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash, especially in rain or road spray. Localized cracking in the wiper arm mount casting is the warning sign to look for during visual inspection. Schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Gillig dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2017 Gillig Low Floor bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Gillig dealer to schedule the free wiper-arm replacement that prevents cracked arms from bending or detaching.
- Bring the owner notice if you have it, and reference recall number 17V156 when you call.
- Avoid operating the bus in rain or low visibility until the wiper-arm replacement is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Gillig technician replaces the affected wiper arms, focusing on the arms that crack at the mount to the wiper motor and bend or detach from the bus. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Gillig has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who paid out of pocket for a related wiper arm repair before recall service. Bring repair paperwork and receipts to the service desk, or contact Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500 to ask how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 9, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 31, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 3, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| April 3, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 14, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V156?
Recall 17V156 covers 2,732 2016-2017 Gillig Low Floor transit buses with wiper arms that can crack at the wiper motor mount. The arms can bend or detach, causing loss of wiper function and reduced driver visibility.
What should I do if my 2016-2017 Gillig Low Floor is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 17V156. If it is, contact a Gillig dealer to schedule replacement of the affected wiper arms. Reference recall number 17V156 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Gillig's remedy for recall 17V156 says dealers will replace the affected wiper arms free of charge. The recall began on March 31, 2017. Owners can also contact Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced driver visibility if the wiper arms crack, bend, or detach from the bus. Loss of wiper function can make it harder for the driver to see the road, increasing the risk of a crash.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V156000 |
|---|---|
| Gillig customer service | 1-800-735-1500 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V156 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V156000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (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 May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →