Recall 25V868 covers 6 2013 Gillig Low Floor transit buses for emergency exit window latch failure. Repair is free at any franchised Gillig dealer.
Gillig is recalling 6 2013 Low Floor transit buses because an emergency exit window latch can fail and let the window open during a crash. A window that opens during a crash can fail to retain passengers and increase injury risk; Gillig dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The emergency exit window on 2013 Gillig Low Floor transit buses is designed to stay latched during normal travel and a crash, then release when a passenger or responder uses the exit handle. The latch and release hardware hold the window in place until evacuation is needed, so the bus has both window retention and an emergency exit path.
On affected buses, the Arow Global egress window hardware does not hold or release the way it is supposed to. During compliance testing, the latch hardware disengaged before the required criteria were met, or the emergency release handle required too much force to operate. In a crash, that failure can let the window open when it should remain retained, or make the exit harder to use when evacuation is needed.
Gillig says it is not aware of an early warning that gives the driver an effective way to reduce the risk. There is no warning sign before failure.
Who's affected?
| 2013 Gillig Low Floor | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 6 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2013 Gillig Low Floor bus is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the emergency window opens during a crash, it can fail to retain passengers properly and increase the risk of injury. Gillig reports no effective warning sign for the driver, so owners should schedule the repair soon instead of waiting for symptoms. Repair is free at any franchised Gillig dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Gillig Low Floor is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Gillig dealer to schedule the free emergency release bar assembly replacement that fixes the emergency exit window latch.
- Bring the recall notice if Gillig mailed one. If not, reference recall number 25V868 when you call.
- Call Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500 with questions about scheduling or repair coordination.
- Confirm operating guidance with Gillig or the dealer before carrying passengers if the repair is not complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Gillig technician works with Arrow to replace the emergency release bar assembly for the emergency exit window latch. The recall repair is free, including the rework kit and installation labor. AROW says installation takes approximately 25 minutes. If you already paid for related work, Gillig and AROW's reimbursement plan covers no-charge rework kits and compensation for installation labor based on the agreed labor rate and time estimate. Ask the service desk what paperwork they need for labor reimbursement.
| Estimated time at dealer | 25 minutes |
|---|---|
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
Timeline
| December 15, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 15, 2026 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| January 16, 2026 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V868?
Recall 25V868 covers 6 2013 Gillig Low Floor transit buses with emergency exit window latches that can fail and allow the window to open during a crash. That window movement can reduce passenger retention and increase injury risk. Gillig will work with Arrow to replace the emergency release bar assembly for free.
What should I do if my 2013 Gillig Low Floor is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 25V868. If it is, contact Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500 and reference recall 25V868. Gillig will work with Arrow to replace the emergency release bar assembly free of charge.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to correct safety recalls at no cost. Gillig will work with Arrow to replace the emergency release bar assembly free of charge, including parts and labor tied to recall 25V868.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is passenger injury during a crash. The emergency exit window latch can fail, which allows the window to open during impact. A window that opens during a crash can fail to properly retain passengers, increasing injury risk.
When were owners notified about recall 25V868?
Gillig mailed owner notification letters on January 21, 2026. If you operate a 2013 Gillig Low Floor and did not receive a letter, check your VIN and call Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500 with recall 25V868.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V868000 |
|---|---|
| Gillig customer service | 1-800-735-1500 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V868 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V868000 |
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 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →