Recall 19V193 affects 965 2014-2019 Gillig Low Floor buses for exposed headlight terminals. Repair is free at any franchised Gillig dealer.
Gillig is recalling 965 2014-2019 Low Floor buses because uncovered electrical terminals in the headlight power circuit can short to ground and cause the headlights to fail. A loss of headlights reduces visibility and raises crash risk, and Gillig dealers will repair the circuit free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The headlights on 2014-2019 Gillig Low Floor buses rely on a power circuit that sends electricity to the front lamps. Electrical terminals are the metal connection points in that circuit. They need to stay covered and isolated so current stays on the intended path and the headlights remain lit.
On these buses, uncovered terminals in the headlight bucket can touch chassis ground. That means electricity takes an unintended path into the bus body instead of staying in the lighting circuit. When that happens, the headlight circuit can short out and the headlights can go dark. Gillig addressed the defect by adding a protective back cover to the headlight bucket, which keeps the terminals from contacting ground.
There is no warning sign before failure. A headlight can stop working when the short occurs, so the driver can lose headlight illumination without an earlier symptom.
Who's affected?
Spans 6 model years (2014-2019), all tied to the headlight component.
| 2015 Gillig Low Floor | Headlights |
|---|---|
| 2014 Gillig Low Floor | Headlights |
| 2017 Gillig Low Floor | Headlights |
| 2016 Gillig Low Floor | Headlights |
| 2018 Gillig Low Floor | Headlights |
| 2019 Gillig Low Floor | Headlights |
| Units affected | 965 |
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 headlights reduces the driver's ability to see and increases the risk of a crash. Avoid night driving and low-visibility trips until the headlight bucket repair is complete. If the headlights fail or flicker, stop in a safe place and call the dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Gillig dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2019 Gillig Low Floor is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Gillig dealer to schedule the free headlight-bucket back-cover installation that protects the headlight power terminals from shorting.
- Bring the recall notice if Gillig mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V193 when you call.
- Use the bus only when the headlights work, and remove it from night service if the headlights fail before the repair.
- Call Gillig customer service at 1-510-264-5073 with questions before your dealer visit.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Gillig technician installs new back covers on the headlight buckets so the headlight power circuit terminals are covered. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. Gillig has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a related repair before the recall work. If you have prior repair paperwork, ask Gillig customer service or the dealer how to submit your documentation under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 8, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 1, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 1, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| April 1, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 1, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V193?
Recall 19V193 covers 965 2014-2019 Gillig Low Floor buses with uncovered electrical terminals in the headlight power circuit. The terminals can short circuit to ground and cause a loss of headlights, increasing crash risk. Gillig dealers install new back covers on the headlight buckets for free.
What should I do if my 2014-2019 Gillig Low Floor is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 19V193. If it is, contact a franchised Gillig dealer to schedule installation of new back covers on the headlight buckets. Reference recall number 19V193 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 dealers will install new back covers on the headlight buckets free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for buses included in recall 19V193.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced visibility from a headlight failure. Uncovered electrical terminals in the headlight power circuit can short circuit to ground and cause a loss of headlights, which reduces the driver's ability to see and increases crash risk.
When did Gillig start the recall repair?
Gillig began the recall repair on April 1, 2019. Owners were notified, and franchised Gillig dealers install the new headlight bucket back covers free of charge. If you manage an affected bus and have not completed the repair, check your VIN and contact Gillig customer service at 1-510-264-5073.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V193000 |
|---|---|
| Gillig customer service | 1-510-264-5073 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V193 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V193000 |
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 →