Forest River Bus Recalls 2026 Collins Bus Models Over Body Panel Separation Risk

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.