Recall 19V059 affects 3,659 2016-2018 Gillig Low Floor buses for loose steering draglink ball studs. Repair is free at any franchised Gillig dealer.
Gillig is recalling 3,659 2016-2018 Low Floor buses because the steering draglink ball stud was not properly tightened. If the ball stud wears, the bus can have reduced handling and stability, increasing the risk of a crash; Gillig dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The drag link on a 2016-2018 Gillig Low Floor bus is part of the steering linkage. It connects steering motion to the steer arm, which turns the front wheels. A ball stud at that joint holds the drag link tight against the steer arm so the steering input reaches the wheels without looseness.
In this recall, the ball stud at the drag link connection was not tightened to Gillig's specified torque during production. Torque is the measured tightening force on the fastener. If that joint is loose, the tapered connection between the drag link and steer arm loses the clamping force it needs to stay secure while the bus is steered and driven.
Owners and fleet operators should not expect a dashboard light or obvious early symptom. There is no warning sign before failure. During inspection or service, a loose taper connection or movement at the drag link-to-steer-arm joint is the problem to report to Gillig service.
Who's affected?
Covers the Low Floor bus across three model years, all tied to the steering linkage.
| 2016 Gillig Low Floor | steering linkage |
|---|---|
| 2017 Gillig Low Floor | steering linkage |
| 2018 Gillig Low Floor | steering linkage |
| Units affected | 3,659 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 2 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?
An insufficiently tightened ball stud can wear and reduce handling and stability, increasing the risk of a crash. Schedule the dealer inspection and correction soon, even if the vehicle feels normal. Repair is free at any franchised Gillig dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2018 Gillig Low Floor is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Gillig dealer to schedule the free steering draglink ball-stud inspection and tightening that corrects the reduced-handling risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Gillig mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V059 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the inspection is complete, and remove the bus from service if handling or stability changes.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Gillig technician inspects the steering system draglink and checks the ball stud tightness. If the ball stud was not tightened properly, the technician corrects it. The recall repair is available now, and parts and labor are free. If you've already paid out of pocket for a related steering draglink repair, Gillig's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring your repair paperwork to the service desk or contact Gillig customer service to start the reimbursement claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 28, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 1, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| February 1, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| February 28, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 20, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V059?
Recall 19V059 covers 3,659 2016-2018 Gillig Low Floor buses with a steering draglink ball stud that was not properly tightened. An under-tightened ball stud can wear, reduce handling and stability, and increase crash risk. Gillig dealers will inspect and correct the tightness for free.
What should I do if my 2016-2018 Gillig Low Floor is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 19V059. If it is, contact a franchised Gillig dealer to schedule the steering draglink inspection and correction. Reference recall number 19V059 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. For recall 19V059, Gillig dealers will inspect the steering draglink ball stud tightness and correct it for free.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced handling and stability. If the steering draglink ball stud was not tightened enough, it can wear and increase crash risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free Gillig dealer inspection and correction.
When did Gillig start the recall repair?
Gillig began the recall repair on March 20, 2019. The dealer remedy is available now for included 2016-2018 Low Floor buses. Check your VIN, then schedule the free steering draglink inspection and correction with a franchised Gillig dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V059000 |
|---|---|
| Gillig customer service | 1-510-264-5073 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V059 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V059000 |
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 →