Recall 19V749 affects 24 2018-2019 Collins TL400, TL408, TH400, and TH408 school buses missing backup cameras. Repair is free at any franchised Collins dealer.
Collins is recalling 24 2018-2019 TL408, TH400, TH408, and TL400 school buses because they were built without a rear backup camera. Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash, and Collins dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The rear backup camera on 2018-2019 Collins TL408, TH400, TH408, and TL400 school buses is supposed to show the area directly behind the bus when the driver shifts into reverse. On a bus, that camera adds a rear image the mirrors do not fully provide, which helps the driver check behind the vehicle before backing.
On affected buses, the issue is not a camera that stops working. The bus was built without the required rear backup camera at all. Collins found the problem during an audit, then reviewed orders for buses in the weight range covered by the rear-visibility rule.
There is no warning sign before failure. The defect is present from the way the bus was built, so the driver will not see a camera malfunction message before realizing the rear camera image is missing.
Who's affected?
Covers the TL408, TH400, TH408, and TL400 bus models across the 2018 and 2019 model years, all tied to the same camera system.
| 2018 Collins TL408 | Camera |
|---|---|
| 2019 Collins TH400 | Camera |
| 2018 Collins TH400 | Camera |
| 2019 Collins TL408 | Camera |
| 2018 Collins TH408 | Camera |
| 2019 Collins TH408 | Camera |
| 2019 Collins TL400 | Camera |
| 2018 Collins TL400 | Camera |
| Units affected | 24 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific bus.
What's the safety risk?
Reduced rearward visibility makes backing up less certain and increases the risk of a crash, especially around pedestrians, other vehicles, or fixed objects behind the vehicle. Use extra care when reversing and schedule the backup camera repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Collins dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 Collins TL408, TH400, TH408, or TL400 school bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Collins dealer to schedule the free backup-camera installation that restores rearward visibility.
- Bring the recall notice if Collins mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V749 when you call.
- Call Collins customer service at 1-800-533-1850 with questions about scheduling or the completed repair.
What happens at the repair
At the Collins distributor or dealer, a Collins technician installs the missing rear backup camera and checks that the rear visibility system works as intended. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. If you paid out of pocket to correct this same camera defect before the recall notice, Collins says it will reimburse the cost of those repairs. Ask the distributor or Collins customer service what documentation they need for the reimbursement claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 18, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 1, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| November 6, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 6, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| November 11, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| November 21, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V749?
Recall 19V749 covers 24 2018-2019 Collins TL400, TL408, TH400, and TH408 school buses built without a rear backup camera. Reduced rearward visibility can increase crash risk. Collins dealers will install the missing backup camera for free.
What should I do if my 2018-2019 Collins TL408, TH400, TH408, TL400 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 19V749. If it is, contact a franchised Collins dealer or Collins customer service at 1-800-533-1850 to schedule the backup camera installation. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Collins says dealers will install the backup camera free of charge. Bring recall number 19V749 when you contact the dealer or Collins customer service.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced rearward visibility while backing the bus. Without the required rear backup camera, the driver has less help seeing behind the vehicle, which can increase crash risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the free camera installation.
When did Collins begin this recall?
Collins began recall 19V749 on November 21, 2019. If you own or operate a 2018-2019 Collins TL400, TL408, TH400, or TH408 school bus and never received a notice, check your VIN and contact Collins or a franchised dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V749000 |
|---|---|
| Collins customer service | 1-800-533-1850 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V749 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V749000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →