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