Collins is recalling 641 2012 Sl, Sh, De, and Dh buses under recall 12V386 for loose body mount bolts. Free repair at franchised Collins dealers.
Collins is recalling 641 2012 Sl, Sh, De, and Dh school buses and multi-function school activity buses under recall 12V386 because some body mount bolts were not tightened to specification. Incorrectly tightened bolts can reduce vehicle integrity in a crash and increase passenger injury risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The body mount bolts on 2012 Collins Sl, Sh, De, and Dh buses fasten the passenger body to the chassis underneath it. Those bolts hold the body in the correct position while the bus carries passengers, turns, brakes, and rides over rough pavement. They are small parts, but they carry a structural job.
On affected buses, some body mount bolts were not tightened to the required specification during assembly. A bolt that is under-tightened does not clamp the body and chassis together with the intended force. That weakens the mounting connection and lets the body attachment lose security under normal service loads.
The recall information does not identify an owner warning sign. There is no warning sign before failure. A Collins dealer needs to inspect the body mount bolts and tighten them to the correct specification.
Who's affected?
Spans the Sl, Sh, De, and Dh bus lines across Collins, Mid-Bus, and Corbeil, all tied to body structure.
| 2012 Collins Sl | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2012 Collins Sh | body structure |
| 2012 Mid-Bus De | body structure |
| 2012 Mid-Bus Sh | body structure |
| 2012 Mid-Bus Sl | body structure |
| 2012 Corbeil Sh | body structure |
| 2012 Mid-Bus Dh | body structure |
| 2012 Corbeil Sl | body structure |
| 2012 Corbeil De | body structure |
| 2012 Corbeil Dh | body structure |
| 2012 Collins Dh | body structure |
| 2012 Collins De | body structure |
| Units affected | 641 |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
Loose body mount bolts reduce body integrity in a crash and increase passengers' risk of injury. There is no listed warning sign before a crash exposes the problem. If your bus is included, schedule the recall repair before regular passenger service. Repair will be free at any franchised Collins dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Collins Sl, Sh, De, or Dh bus is included in this recall.
- Watch for the Collins owner notice if you have not received it, then contact a franchised Collins dealer about the free repair.
- Ask the dealer to inspect and correctly tighten the body mount bolts so the bus body is secured to specification.
- Bring the recall notice if Collins mailed one. If not, reference recall number 12V386 when you call.
- Limit passenger use until the repair is complete, since loose body mount bolts reduce crash protection.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Collins technician checks the body mount bolts on the affected school buses and activity buses, then repairs the bus by tightening the bolts to the proper specification. The dealer repair will be free once available for your VIN. The safety recall began during August 2012, so ask the service desk to confirm the recall status before the bus is scheduled. Parts and labor are covered under the recall.
Timeline
| August 6, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 28, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V386?
Recall 12V386 covers 641 2012 Collins Sl, Sh, De, and Dh school buses and multi-function school activity buses with body mount bolts that were not tightened to specification. Collins dealers will repair the buses free of charge.
What should I do if my 2012 Collins Sl, Sh, De, or Dh is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 12V386. If it is, contact a franchised Collins dealer to schedule the body mount bolt repair. Reference recall number 12V386 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Collins dealers will repair the affected body mount bolts free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for buses included in recall 12V386.
What is the safety risk in recall 12V386?
The safety risk is reduced vehicle integrity in a crash. If the body mount bolts are not tightened correctly, passengers face an increased risk of injury during a crash. Collins dealers repair the affected buses for free.
What if I bought this Collins bus used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether the bus is included in recall 12V386, then contact a franchised Collins dealer for the free repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V386000 |
|---|---|
| Collins customer service | 1-800-533-1850 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V386 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V386000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →