Gillig Phantom Recalls & Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA lists 22 safety recalls and 1 owner complaint across 25 model years of the Gillig Phantom (1984–2009). The most-complained-about year is 1996.
Pick your Gillig Phantom model year
- 1984
- 1986
- 1987
- 1988
- 1989
- 1990
- 1991
- 1992
- 1993
- 1994
- 1995
- 1996
- 1997
- 1998
- 1999
- 2000
- 2001
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 Gillig Phantom | 2 | 0 |
| 2008 Gillig Phantom | 2 | 0 |
| 2007 Gillig Phantom | 5 | 0 |
| 2006 Gillig Phantom | 4 | 0 |
| 2005 Gillig Phantom | 3 | 0 |
| 2004 Gillig Phantom | 6 | 0 |
| 2003 Gillig Phantom | 6 | 0 |
| 2002 Gillig Phantom | 4 | 0 |
| 2001 Gillig Phantom | 5 | 0 |
| 2000 Gillig Phantom | 4 | 0 |
| 1999 Gillig Phantom | 5 | 0 |
| 1998 Gillig Phantom | 6 | 0 |
| 1997 Gillig Phantom | 3 | 0 |
| 1996 Gillig Phantom | 1 | 1 |
| 1995 Gillig Phantom | 1 | 0 |
| 1994 Gillig Phantom | 2 | 0 |
| 1993 Gillig Phantom | 2 | 0 |
| 1992 Gillig Phantom | 2 | 0 |
| 1991 Gillig Phantom | 2 | 0 |
| 1990 Gillig Phantom | 2 | 0 |
| 1989 Gillig Phantom | 2 | 0 |
| 1988 Gillig Phantom | 1 | 0 |
| 1987 Gillig Phantom | 2 | 0 |
| 1986 Gillig Phantom | 1 | 0 |
| 1984 Gillig Phantom | 1 | 0 |
What Gillig Phantom owners complain about
Across all model years, owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA. The 1996 model year has the most, with 1.
All Gillig Phantom recalls (22)
Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Gillig Phantom, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.
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Interior lighting
Gillig corporation is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2009 transit buses manufactured between january 2001 and september 2009 equipped with luminator horizon LED side destination signs. The connector board can corrode due to an accumulation of moisture under the connector.
Remedy: Gillig will notify owners and luminator will repair the buses free of charge. The safety recall began on spetember 29, 2009. Owners may contact luminator at 1-972-516-3033 or gillig field services at 1-800-735-1500.
Model years: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
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Equipment adaptive/mobility
Gillig is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2009 phantom transit buses manufactured from january 2001 through august 2009 equipped with lift-u wheelchair lifts. The lifts are equipped with a logic board assembly for the wheelchair lift control box, p/nos. 373-0226 and 373-0265. The outboard ramp barrier could fold in toward a…
Remedy: Gillig will notify owners and the repairs will be made by lift-u free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during october 2009. Owners may contact lift-u at 1-209-838-2400 or gillig service at…
Model years: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
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Service brakes, air
On certain transit buses equipped with graham-white air dryers, the air dryer timer modules may allow sufficient quantities of moisture to enter and affect the operation of the vehicle air brake system.
Remedy: Gillig, in conjunction with graham-white, will replace the air dryer timer module on the affected vehicles. The recall began on january 29, 2008. Owners may contact gillig at 1-510-785-1500 or graham-white at…
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Engine and engine cooling
On certain transit buses built with cummins ism c876 engines, the electronic control module fails to recognize inputs of the vehicle electronic control unit or from a driver actuated dash switch thereby increasing the risk of unintended (or unexpected) elevated exhaust temperatures.
Remedy: Cummins, in conjunction with gillig, will conduct the remedy campaign. The recall began on july 31, 2007. Owners can contact cummins at 1-800-343-7357 or gillig at 1-510-785-1500.
Model years: 2007
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Hose, piping, and connections (steering)
On certain transit buses, the hydraulic hose located in the engine compartment was manufactured incorrectly which could cause a hydraulic fluid leak.
Remedy: Gillig will provide correct hoses to their customers for replacement or will replace the hoses for them. The recall began on june 27, 2007. Owners may contact gillig at 1-510-785-1500.
Model years: 2007
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Equipment adaptive/mobility
On certain transit buses equipped with lift-u wheelchair lifts, it is possible for a person to wedge their feet under the solid bar barrier linkage.
Remedy: Owners will receive a free repair kit along with installation instructions free of charge. The recall began on february 27, 2007. Owners may contact lift-u at 209-838-2400 or gillig at 204-934-4876.
Model years: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
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Fuel system, diesel
On certain transit buses built with cummins isl and isc diesel engines equipped with the cm850 fuel system, the engine high pressure fuel lines, from the engine high pressure pump to the engine fuel rail, are prone to failure.
Remedy: Cummins will install a fuel line bracket to reduce fuel line stress. A new fuel line will be installed when adding the bracket (please see 06e037). Gillig notified customers on november 22, 2006. Customers may contact…
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Diesel (engine and engine cooling)
On certain transit buses manufactured with detroit diesel series 50 engines, the electronic control module (ECM) will need to be reprogrammed to activate the exhaust temperature sensor.
Remedy: Gillig is working with detroit diesel to reprogram the engines. Gillig issued a renotification letter to owners on february 27, 2007. Owners may contact detroit diesel at 1-313-592-5791 or gillig at 1-510-785-1500.
Model years: 2003
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Tie rod assembly (steering)
On some buses, certain tie rod clamps installed on tie rod assemblies could fail and lead to a steering malfunction.
Remedy: Arvin-meritor will notify gillig customers and conduct the remedy at no charge to the customer. Owners should contact arvin-meritor at 1-248-435-1000 or gillig at 1-510-785-1500.
Model years: 2004
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Equipment adaptive/mobility
Certain gillig buses equipped with sure-lok wheelchair tie-down securement assemblies. The sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly may be out of alignment causing the load pawl not to fully seat in the sprocket teeth.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the wheelchair securement retractors as necessary. The recall began october 8, 2004. Owners should contact gillig at 1-800-735-1500..
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Turbo/supercharger (engine and engine cooling)
On certain transit buses equipped with detroit diesel series 40 engines, the turbocharger can fail allowing lubricating oil to spill onto the engine.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the turbocharger to prevent the possibility of an engine compartment fire. Detroit diesel is conducting owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Gillig issued a renotification…
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Diesel (engine and engine cooling)
On certain phantom and low floor transit buses equipped with cummins 8.3l and 8.9l isc and isl diesel engines, oil can leak into the engine compartment from a crack in the cup plug.
Remedy: Cummins will conduct the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Cummins will isntall a steel cup plug boss cap on the affected engines. Owners should contact cummins customer assistance center at…
Model years: 2004
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Turbo/supercharger (engine and engine cooling)
On certain transit buses manufactured with detroit diesel series 50 engine, the turbocharger compressor wheel can break, resulting in shaft imbalance and lubricating oil passes into the exhaust system.
Remedy: Detroit diesel is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Dealers will install an exhaust temperature sensor and reprogram the emc calibration. Gillig issued a renotification letter to owners on…
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Vehicle speed control
On certain buses equipped with cummins electronic control modules on the c8.3g and l10g engines, the ECM does not have the ability to detect a throttle fail-safe engine shutdown command. This could result in an unanticipated, uncommanded open throttle condition without warning.
Remedy: Cummins will notify the customers and replace the ECM. Owners should contact cummins at 1-800-343-7357 or gillig at 510-785-1500.
Model years: 1998
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Accelerator pedal (vehicle speed control)
On certain buses equipped with electronic throttle control/accelerator pedals supplied by williams controls industries, the weld attaching the clevis to the plate has insufficient penetration and could allow the clevis to separate from the plate.
Remedy: Dealers will replace these pedals. Owner notification began during december 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact williams control at 1-503-684-8600 or gillig at…
Model years: 2001
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Door (structure)
On certain transit buses equipped with adhesively bonded aluminum bus door panels, due to an imperfect bonding of the door panel skin to the panel frame, environmental moisture may infiltrate regions of imperfect bonding and cause separation of the frame and door panel.
Remedy: Vapor will notify customers to have their buses inspected and will install mechanical fasteners to attach the skins to the frame elements free of charge. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable…
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12v/24v/48v battery (electrical system)
On certain transit buses equipped with vanner 60 series battery equalizers, the equalizer could fail to operate properly and cause malfunction of the battery charging system.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the buses for certain equalizers by the date code. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time…
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12v/24v/48v battery (electrical system)
Vehicle description: transit buses equipped with vanner 60 series battery equalizers. The equalizer could fail to operate properly and cause malfunction of the battery charging system.
Remedy: Vanner will notify owners to inspect their buses for certain equalizers by the date code. The affected equalizers will be replaced. Vanner is conducting the owner notification for this campaign and was expected to…
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Unknown or other
The shoulder harness anchor fasteners used on these buses for wheel chair positions were installed with incorrect hardware. The anchor fasteners do not comply with FMVSS no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages."
Remedy: New corrective parts and instructions will be sent to the customers involved. Gillig dealers will also repair certain customer's vehicles.
Model years: 1993, 1994
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Body (structure)
Passengers clothing can unknowingly become caught in the handrails at bus doors when exiting the bus.
Remedy: Replace or reposition the handrails to stop clothing from becoming caught.
Model years: 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992
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Labels (equipment)
No emergency exit referral labels as required by FMVSS no. 217.
Remedy: Install emergency exit label as required.
Model years: 1987
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Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)
The steering column coupling, connecting the steering shaft to gear may have been machined oversized. The inside diameter of the coupling may be too large which may lead to coupling failure.
Remedy: The dealer will provide two kits; one that includes inspection equipment which will be used to determine whether the coupling is actually non-compliant, and the second to replace defective parts.
Model years: 1984
Other Gillig models
- Low Floor7 complaints
- 29 Foot Low Floor1 complaints
- School Bus1 complaints
- 35 and 40 Foot Low Floor0 complaints
- 568150 complaints
- 855150 complaints
- Brt0 complaints
- Bus0 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.