Forest River Bus Recalls 2026 Collins Bus Models Over Body Panel Separation Risk
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Forest River Bus, LLC is recalling 19 transit buses because incorrectly applied body panel adhesive may lead to structural separation and increased injury risk.
What this NHTSA vehicle recall tells you, and what most readers miss
This notice was issued by NHTSA on April 6, 2026 and geographically references United States. Its severity classification of "high" signals how the issuing agency weighs the risk of harm if no action is taken - "critical" and "high" tier alerts typically carry direct consumer actions, while "medium" and "low" tend toward informational guidance or monitoring advisories. The category it belongs to - Vehicle Recalls - determines the consumer-protection framework behind it, which shapes what remedies (refunds, replacements, repairs, or the recall itself) are available to affected consumers and which agency holds statutory responsibility for enforcement.
Most readers skim a notice like this, check whether they are personally affected, and move on. The more useful lens is to verify its scope, source, and timestamp, then compare related notices without assuming that one record proves a broader trend.
Areazine pairs this record with the original agency URL so you can check the primary source before acting. Its related labels are recall, product-safety, nhtsa, Transit Bus.
What Happened
Forest River Bus, LLC is recalling certain 2026 Collins Bus transit buses due to a manufacturing defect involving the body panel joints. According to the recall report, adhesive may have been applied to the incorrect locations, which can cause the panels to separate. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 221, "School Bus Body Joint Strength."
Which Products Are Affected
The recall affects a total of 19 units. The specific model involved is:
- Make/Model: Forest River Bus Collins Bus
- Model Year: 2026
What You Should Do
Owners of the affected transit buses are advised to take their vehicles to an authorized dealer for inspection. Dealers will apply the necessary adhesive to correct the issue free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by March 4, 2026.
For further information, owners may contact Forest River Bus customer service at 1-620-888-3310. The Forest River Bus internal reference number for this recall is 551-2023.
Why This Matters
Separated body panels can significantly reduce the structural integrity of the vehicle. In the event of a crash, this lack of structural strength increases the risk of injury to the bus occupants.
Source
For more information, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website regarding Campaign Number 26V040000.
Original source: NHTSA Official Notice ↗
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