Recall 17V559 affects 108 2013-2016 Gillig Low Floor buses for steering motor-pump coupler failure. Repair is free at any franchised Gillig dealer.
Gillig is recalling 108 2013-2016 Low Floor buses with electro-hydraulic power steering assist because the coupler between the high-voltage electric motor and hydraulic steering pump shafts can fail. A failed coupler results in loss of power steering assist, requiring increased steering effort and increasing crash risk; Gillig dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The electro-hydraulic power steering assist system on 2013-2016 Gillig Low Floor buses uses a high-voltage electric motor to turn a hydraulic steering pump. That pump builds the pressure that helps the driver steer a heavy bus at low speed and during normal route operation. A shaft coupler sits between the electric motor shaft and the hydraulic pump shaft so the motor's rotation reaches the pump.
On affected buses, the coupler's internal splines are softer than the matching pump shaft splines. Insufficient sealing lets environmental contamination reach the assembly, and corrosion adds stress inside the motor-pump connection. Over time, the softer splines strip out, the pump stops turning, and hydraulic power steering assist is lost.
Before the assist is lost, an operator can notice noise, fluid leakage, or rattling from the power steering motor-pump assembly. Steering effort can also increase, which is the practical warning sign that the assist system is no longer working normally.
Who's affected?
The affected Low Floor buses are listed under electric and hydraulic power steering systems, depending on configuration.
| 2014 Gillig Low Floor | power steering system |
|---|---|
| 2015 Gillig Low Floor | power steering system |
| 2015 Gillig Low Floor | power steering system |
| 2013 Gillig Low Floor | power steering system |
| 2013 Gillig Low Floor | power steering system |
| 2016 Gillig Low Floor | power steering system |
| 2016 Gillig Low Floor | power steering system |
| 2014 Gillig Low Floor | power steering system |
| Units affected | 108 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 3 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?
Loss of power steering assist increases steering effort and raises the risk of a crash. If you hear noise, see fluid leakage, notice rattling from the steering motor-pump assembly, or feel heavier steering, schedule the repair soon and use extra care until the bus is repaired. Repair is free at any franchised Gillig dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2016 Gillig Low Floor bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Gillig dealer to schedule the free steering motor-pump assembly replacement that fixes the motor-to-pump coupler failure.
- Reference recall number 17V559 when you call Gillig or the dealer.
- Bring the recall notice if Gillig mailed one.
- Drive with caution until the repair is complete; loss of power steering assist means the bus needs more steering effort.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Gillig technician replaces the steering motor pump assembly that provides power steering assist. The parts and labor are free under the recall. Gillig has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for this repair before the recall notice. Bring repair invoices, receipts, and any related service paperwork to the dealer or contact Gillig customer service to ask how to submit a documented reimbursement claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 8, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 6, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| October 6, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| October 20, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 24, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V559?
Recall 17V559 covers 108 2013-2016 Gillig Low Floor buses with electro-hydraulic power steering assist. The coupler between the high-voltage electric motor and hydraulic steering pump shafts can fail, causing loss of power steering assist. Gillig dealers will replace the steering motor-pump assemblies for free.
What should I do if my 2013-2016 Gillig Low Floor is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 17V559. If it is, contact a franchised Gillig dealer to schedule replacement of the steering motor-pump assemblies. Reference recall number 17V559 when you call. 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 states that dealers will replace the steering motor-pump assemblies free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Gillig dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is increased steering effort if power steering assist is lost. A failed coupler can stop assist from the steering motor and hydraulic pump assembly, making the bus harder to steer and increasing crash risk. Schedule the free dealer repair if your VIN is included.
When did Gillig start this recall repair?
Gillig began the recall repair on October 24, 2017. Owners can contact Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500, or call a franchised Gillig dealer and reference recall 17V559 to schedule the free steering motor-pump assembly replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V559000 |
|---|---|
| Gillig customer service | 1-800-735-1500 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V559 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V559000 |
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 →