Recall 23V809 affects 34 2023 Gillig Low Floor vehicles for low rear axle hub lubricant. Repair is free at any franchised Gillig dealer.
Gillig is recalling 34 2023 Low Floor vehicles because too little lubricant in the rear axle hubs can lead to rear drive axle failure. If an axle fails, the driver can lose vehicle control and crash risk rises; Gillig dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear axle hub on the 2023 Gillig Low Floor bus is the wheel-end part of the drive axle. It supports the rear wheel assembly and keeps the rotating parts aligned as the axle sends power to the bus. Lubricant inside the hub reduces friction and heat around those moving parts.
On affected buses, the rear axle hub has too little lubricant. Gillig traced the issue to a process control problem at the supplier. With the lube level below specification, the hub parts run with less protection, which damages the axle and can lead to rear drive axle failure.
There is no warning sign before failure. Gillig said it was not aware of an early warning, so an included bus needs the rear axle hub lube level inspected rather than waiting for noise, vibration, or another symptom.
Who's affected?
| 2023 Gillig Low Floor | drive axle |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 34 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 4 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific bus.
What's the safety risk?
Rear drive axle failure can cause loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash or injury. Gillig reports no early warning before failure, so schedule the recall work promptly and limit use until the vehicle is checked. Repair is free at any franchised Gillig dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2023 Gillig Low Floor is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Gillig dealer to schedule the free rear axle hub lubricant inspection that addresses low hub lubricant linked to rear drive axle failure.
- Ask the dealer to add lubricant and gear oil as needed during the inspection; parts and labor are covered.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 23V809 when you call.
- Limit driving until the inspection is complete because rear drive axle failure can cause loss of vehicle control.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Gillig technician inspects the rear axle hub lubricant levels and adds lubricant and gear oil where needed. The inspection and any added lubricant are free under the recall. Prior repairs already paid are handled through Meritor or Gillig manufacturer warranty coverage, not through a separate reimbursement program. Ask the service desk how the warranty applies if you have paperwork for a related rear axle hub or lubricant repair.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| December 4, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 12, 2024 | Owner notification mailed |
| January 15, 2024 | Dealer notification began |
| January 15, 2024 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 15, 2024 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V809?
Recall 23V809 covers 34 2023 Gillig Low Floor vehicles with rear axle hubs that have too little lubricant. The rear drive axles can fail, causing loss of vehicle control and increasing crash or injury risk.
What should I do if my 2023 Gillig Low Floor is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 23V809. If it is, contact Gillig or a Gillig service location to schedule the rear axle hub lubricant inspection. Gillig will add lubricant and gear oil as needed for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Gillig will inspect the rear axle hub lubricant level and add lubricant and gear oil as necessary free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is rear drive axle failure. If the rear drive axle fails, the driver can lose vehicle control, which increases the risk of a crash or injury. Recall 23V809 does not include a do-not-drive order.
When were owners notified about recall 23V809?
Gillig mailed owner notification letters on January 12, 2023. If you never received a letter, check your VIN and reference recall 23V809 when contacting Gillig customer service at 1-510-264-5073.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V809000 |
|---|---|
| Gillig customer service | 1-510-264-5073 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V809 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V809000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (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 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →