Recall 20V179 affects 8,224 2012-2020 Gillig Low Floor buses for oversized circuit breakers. Repair is free at any franchised Gillig dealer.
Gillig is recalling 8,224 2012-2020 Low Floor buses because circuit breakers on the DEF Line Heater and Aftertreatment-Ignition circuits are rated higher than the wiring and connector. An electrical short in either circuit can raise the risk of a fire, and Gillig dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The electrical protection on 2012-2020 Gillig Low Floor buses includes circuit breakers for the DEF Line Heater circuit and the Aftertreatment-Ignition circuit. The DEF line heater keeps diesel exhaust fluid from freezing in its line, and the aftertreatment ignition circuit supports the exhaust cleanup system. A circuit breaker is supposed to open the circuit when current gets too high, before the wire or connector overheats.
On affected buses, the breaker ratings are higher than the rating for the wire and connector they protect. If a short happens in either circuit, the breaker can allow more current than the connector is built to carry. Gillig found evidence of excess current at that connector, including a melted connector, which means the protection point is set too high for the hardware.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver or technician would first notice electrical trouble after heat damage has already started at the connector.
Who's affected?
The same wiring and circuit-breaker component appears across all 9 model years (2012-2020).
| 2016 Gillig Low Floor | wiring |
|---|---|
| 2013 Gillig Low Floor | wiring |
| 2017 Gillig Low Floor | wiring |
| 2012 Gillig Low Floor | wiring |
| 2018 Gillig Low Floor | wiring |
| 2019 Gillig Low Floor | wiring |
| 2020 Gillig Low Floor | wiring |
| 2015 Gillig Low Floor | wiring |
| 2014 Gillig Low Floor | wiring |
| Units affected | 8,224 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 2 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?
The safety concern is fire risk from an electrical short in either affected circuit when the circuit breaker rating is wrong. Schedule the recall repair soon, and have the bus inspected before further service if electrical trouble appears. Repair is free at any franchised Gillig dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2020 Gillig Low Floor bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Gillig dealer to schedule the free circuit-breaker replacement that matches the DEF Line Heater and Aftertreatment-Ignition circuit wiring.
- Bring the recall notice if Gillig mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V179 when you call.
- Ask Gillig customer service at 1-510-264-5073 about service timing or fleet scheduling questions.
- Keep the bus out of service if a short or fire concern appears, then contact the dealer before moving it.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Gillig technician replaces the circuit breakers for the DEF Line Heater circuit and the Aftertreatment-Ignition circuit with breakers that fit the wire and connector ratings. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Gillig has a general reimbursement plan on file for eligible out-of-pocket repairs paid before the recall notice. If you already paid for a related circuit breaker, wire, or connector repair, bring repair invoices and proof of payment to the service desk so Gillig can review the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 25, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 24, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 24, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V179?
Recall 20V179 covers 8,224 2012-2020 Gillig Low Floor buses with DEF line heater and aftertreatment ignition circuit breakers rated higher than the wire and connector. An electrical short in those circuits can increase fire risk. Gillig dealers will replace the circuit breakers for free.
What should I do if my 2012-2020 Gillig Low Floor is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 20V179. If it is, contact a franchised Gillig dealer to schedule circuit breaker replacement. Reference recall number 20V179 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Gillig will replace the affected circuit breakers free of charge through its dealer network. The recall repair became available after owner notification began on April 24, 2020.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. The DEF line heater circuit and aftertreatment ignition circuit use circuit breakers with ratings higher than the related wire and connector. If an electrical short happens in either circuit, the improper breaker rating can increase the risk of a fire.
Who should I call about this Gillig recall?
Call a franchised Gillig dealer or Gillig customer service at 1-510-264-5073. Have the VIN ready and reference recall 20V179 so the service desk can confirm coverage and schedule the free circuit breaker replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V179000 |
|---|---|
| Gillig customer service | 1-510-264-5073 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V179 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V179000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →