Forest River Bus Recalls 2026 Collins School Buses for Body Panel Separation Risk

Source: NHTSA · United States

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Forest River Bus, LLC is recalling 213 Collins school buses from the 2026 model year due to incorrectly applied adhesive that may cause body panels to separate.

What this NHTSA vehicle recall tells you, and what most readers miss

This notice was issued by NHTSA on February 11, 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 regulatory framework behind it, which shapes what remedies (refunds, replacements, recalls, evacuations) are available to affected individuals and who 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 read it as a data point about the issuing system: how quickly NHTSA detected the hazard, how precise the geographic or product-identifier scope is, and whether similar notices have clustered in the same category or region in the last 90 days. Cluster patterns frequently precede a broader regulatory action — a single localized NHTSA vehicle recall is isolated; three of them within a quarter often indicate a supply-chain, infrastructure, or seasonal driver that will keep producing notices until something structural changes.

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What Happened

Forest River Bus, LLC has initiated a recall for certain 2026 Collins school buses due to a manufacturing defect involving the vehicle's structure. The body panel joint adhesive may have been applied to the incorrect location, which can cause the panels to separate. Consequently, 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 213 units of the following vehicle:

  • Make/Model: Forest River Bus Collins School Bus
  • Model Year: 2026
  • NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V041000
  • Manufacturer Recall Number: 551-2021

What You Should Do

Owners of the affected school buses are advised to contact Forest River Bus customer service at 1-620-888-3310. Authorized dealers will inspect the vehicles and apply adhesive as necessary to ensure structural integrity. This service will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by March 4, 2026.

Why This Matters

Separated body panels can significantly reduce the structural integrity of the vehicle. In the event of a crash, this defect increases the risk of injury to the bus occupants.

Source

Information provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Original source: NHTSA Official Notice ↗

All Vehicle Recalls →

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this NHTSA vehicle recall.

What is this NHTSA vehicle recall about?
Forest River Bus, LLC is recalling 213 Collins school buses from the 2026 model year due to incorrectly applied adhesive that may cause body panels to separate.
Which agency issued this alert?
This alert was issued by NHTSA. The original notice is available at the source link at the bottom of this article.
How severe is this alert?
This alert is classified as "high" severity. Take precautions and monitor for updates.
What area is affected?
This alert affects United States. Check with NHTSA for the most current geographic scope.
Where can I find more Vehicle Recalls updates?
Browse the full Vehicle Recalls feed on Areazine at areazine.com/recalls/vehicles/ for the latest updates from NHTSA and other agencies.