2004 Gillig PHANTOM: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2004-10-07 (October 7, 2004)

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.

Consequence: OIL LEAKAGE ON A HOT ENGINE CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES.

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 1-800-343-7357 OR GILLIG AT 510-785-1500.

Reported: 2004-10-14 (October 14, 2004)

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.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES.

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..

Reported: 2004-12-28 (December 28, 2004)

ON SOME BUSES, CERTAIN TIE ROD CLAMPS INSTALLED ON TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES COULD FAIL AND LEAD TO A STEERING MALFUNCTION.

Consequence: IF BOTH CLAMPS WERE TO FAIL AND THE CROSS TUBE START TO UNSCREW, SIGNIFICANT VEHICLE MISALIGNMENT WOULD EVOLVE WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR THE TIE ROD END TO SEPARATE FROM THE CROSS TUBE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Reported: 2006-11-09 (November 9, 2006)

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.

Consequence: FAILURE OF THE LINE INTRODUCES HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SPRAY INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH CAN IGNITE WHEN IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH A HOT SURFACE.

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 CUMMINS AT 1-800-343-7357 OR GILLIG AT 510-264-5031.

Reported: 2009-09-16 (September 16, 2009)

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 LIFT PASSENGER POSSIBLY PINCHING THE PASSENGER'S FEET.

Consequence: THE LIFT PASSENGER COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED.

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 1-800-735-1500.

Reported: 2009-09-28 (September 28, 2009)

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.

Consequence: A SHORT COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY CAUSING SMOKE AND FIRE.

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.