VehicleVerdict

2002 Gillig Phantom problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 2002 Gillig Phantom — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Phantom years?

Phantom NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted1 complaint1984: 0 complaints1985: 0 complaints1986: 0 complaints1987: 0 complaints1988: 0 complaints1989: 0 complaints1990: 0 complaints1991: 0 complaints1992: 0 complaints1993: 0 complaints1994: 0 complaints1995: 0 complaints1996: 1 complaints1997: 0 complaints1998: 0 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 0 complaints2001: 0 complaints2002: 0 complaints2003: 0 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 0 complaints
Phantom NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Phantom years to avoid →

Does the 2002 Gillig Phantom have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09V368000LightingSeptember 28, 2009 · 1,053 units

Defect

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.

09V359000OtherSeptember 16, 2009 · 1,990 units

Defect

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.

04V500000OtherOctober 14, 2004 · 242 units

Defect

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..

04V486000EngineOctober 7, 2004 · 810 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL SERIES 40 ENGINES, THE TURBOCHARGER CAN FAIL ALLOWING LUBRICATING OIL TO SPILL ONTO THE ENGINE.

Consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

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 LETTER TO OWNERS ON FEBRUARY 27, 2007. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DETROIT DETROIT DIESEL AT 313-5923708 OR GILLIG AT 510-785-1500.

2002 Gillig Phantom — common questions

Is the 2002 Gillig Phantom reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2002 Gillig Phantom have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Gillig Phantom. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.