Recall 18V886 affects 30 2016-2017 Gillig Low Floor buses for an obstructed emergency exit window. Repair is free at any franchised Gillig dealer.
Gillig is recalling 30 2016-2017 Low Floor transit buses because one emergency exit window was built so it is hard to use in an emergency. An obstructed exit can slow passengers as they leave the bus and increase injury 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?
The emergency exit windows on 2016-2017 Gillig Low Floor buses are part of the passenger egress system. In a crash, fire, or other emergency, those windows are supposed to release and leave enough clear opening space for passengers to get out when the doors are blocked or unsafe.
On these buses, the curb-side emergency exit layout was built with too little unobstructed opening area. The filing says the available egress space was below the federal minimum for bus emergency exits, so one emergency exit window was not easy enough to use in an emergency. Gillig's repair removes the exit function from the first curb-side window and moves it to the first curb-side window behind the rear door, raising the available emergency egress space to 1,072 square inches.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is not a noise, light, or drivability symptom; it becomes clear only when that emergency window has to be used.
Who's affected?
The scope spans two model years for the same Low Floor bus line and the same emergency-exit structure component.
| 2017 Gillig Low Floor | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| 2016 Gillig Low Floor | body or structural component |
| Units affected | 30 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no 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?
An obstructed emergency exit can slow passengers trying to leave the bus during an emergency, increasing the risk of injury. Keep the exit area clear and schedule the recall repair soon so passengers have a usable escape path. 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 emergency-exit-window relocation that moves the obstructed exit to a usable location.
- Bring the recall notice if Gillig sent one, or reference recall number 18V886 when you call.
- Keep the affected emergency exit window clear and verify the exit path before carrying passengers until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Gillig technician moves the obstructed emergency exit window to a location where it can be used as intended. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. If you already paid out of pocket for the same emergency exit window repair before the recall notice, Gillig has a general reimbursement plan on file. Ask the service desk how to submit documentation for review under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 12, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| January 1, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 1, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| January 30, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 22, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V886?
Recall 18V886 covers 30 2016-2017 Gillig Low Floor transit buses with an emergency exit window that is obstructed and not easy to use in an emergency. The defect fails FMVSS 217, and Gillig dealers move the exit window to an unobstructed location for free.
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 18V886. If it is, contact a franchised Gillig dealer or Gillig customer service at 1-510-264-5073 to arrange the emergency exit window relocation. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 18V886, Gillig dealers move the emergency exit window to an unobstructed location free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
An obstructed emergency exit can slow passenger evacuation during an emergency and increase the risk of injury. The recall filing does not direct owners to stop using the bus, but the exit window relocation should be completed through a Gillig dealer.
When did the recall repair become available?
Gillig began the recall on February 22, 2019. That means the dealer remedy is available now for included 2016-2017 Gillig Low Floor buses. Reference recall 18V886 when you call the dealer or Gillig customer service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V886000 |
|---|---|
| Gillig customer service | 1-510-264-5073 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V886 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V886000 |
Source documents
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 →