Recall 20V392 affects 531 2013-2020 Gillig Low Floor buses for power steering assist loss. Repair is free at any franchised Gillig dealer.
Gillig is recalling 531 2013-2020 Low Floor hybrid and all-electric buses because the shaft coupling between the high-voltage steering motor and hydraulic pump can fail, cutting hydraulic power steering assist. Loss of assist makes the bus harder to steer and increases crash risk; Gillig dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The 2013-2020 Gillig Low Floor hybrid and all-electric buses use an electro-hydraulic power steering system. A high-voltage electric motor turns a hydraulic pump, and that pump supplies the pressure that helps the driver steer a large bus at low speeds and during tight maneuvers. The motor and pump are linked by a shaft coupling, a small connecting piece that transfers rotation from the motor to the pump.
On the recalled buses, the internal splines inside that coupling are too soft compared with the pump shaft they grip. Splines are the ridges that lock the parts together so they spin as one assembly. Because the coupling is softer than intended, those ridges can strip out. When that happens, the motor no longer turns the pump, hydraulic steering assist drops away, and steering effort increases.
Drivers can notice noise or fluid leaking from the motor-pump assembly. Increased steering effort is also a warning sign that the steering assist system is already failing.
Who's affected?
Spans 8 model years of Low Floor buses, all tied to the power steering system.
| 2019 Gillig Low Floor | power steering system |
|---|---|
| 2020 Gillig Low Floor | power steering system |
| 2018 Gillig Low Floor | power steering system |
| 2015 Gillig Low Floor | power steering system |
| 2016 Gillig Low Floor | power steering system |
| 2013 Gillig Low Floor | power steering system |
| 2017 Gillig Low Floor | power steering system |
| 2014 Gillig Low Floor | power steering system |
| Units affected | 531 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 6 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 raises crash risk because the bus takes more effort to steer. Noise, fluid leakage from the power steering motor-pump assembly, or heavier steering are warning signs to slow down, stop in a safe place, and arrange service. Repair is free at any franchised Gillig dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2020 Gillig Low Floor bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Gillig dealer to schedule the free motor-pump assembly replacement that restores hydraulic power steering assist.
- Bring the recall notice if Gillig has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V392 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Steering assist can drop out if the motor-pump shaft coupling fails.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Gillig technician replaces the motor-pump assemblies that provide hydraulic power steering assist. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. The repair addresses the shaft coupling between the high-voltage electric motor and hydraulic pump assembly, which is the part named in the recall summary. Gillig has a general reimbursement plan on file for qualifying out-of-pocket repairs paid before the recall repair. Bring repair paperwork and payment documentation to the service desk, or contact Gillig customer service to ask how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 2, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 3, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| August 3, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 13, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V392?
Recall 20V392 covers 531 2013-2020 Gillig Low Floor hybrid and all-electric buses with a motor-pump shaft coupling that can fail in the hydraulic power steering assist system. Gillig dealers will replace the motor-pump assemblies for free.
What should I do if my 2013-2020 Gillig Low Floor is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 20V392. If it is, contact a Gillig dealer to schedule the motor-pump assembly replacement. Reference recall 20V392 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the Gillig recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Gillig dealers will replace the affected motor-pump assemblies free of charge, and Gillig customer service is available at 1-800-735-1500.
What is the safety risk?
A failed motor-pump shaft coupling can cause a loss of hydraulic power steering assist. The bus still has steering, but steering effort increases, which raises crash risk. Confirm the VIN, then schedule the free dealer repair.
When did the Gillig recall repair start?
Gillig began the recall repair on August 13, 2020. If your 2013-2020 Gillig Low Floor bus is included, a Gillig dealer can replace the motor-pump assemblies free of charge.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V392000 |
|---|---|
| Gillig customer service | 1-800-735-1500 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V392 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V392000 |
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 →