Recall 25V879 covers 627 2026-2027 Ic Bus Cesb buses for wheelchair retractor failures. Repair will be free at any franchised Ic Bus dealer once available.
Ic Bus is recalling 627 2026-2027 Cesb school buses because the wheelchair retractors can fail to lock, preventing proper wheelchair securement. An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit and increase the risk of injury; the dealer repair will be free once Ic Bus makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The wheelchair securement belt on 2026-2027 Ic Bus Cesb school buses is part of the Q'Straint tie-down system. The belt feeds through a retractor, which is supposed to take up slack and lock so a wheelchair stays secured to the floor track during travel.
On affected buses, the retractor can fail to lock. When that happens, the belt does not hold the wheelchair as tightly as designed. The problem is tied to affected Q'Straint retractor parts, and replacement parts use different lot identification that does not have the defect.
An unlocked retractor can be found during a standard functional check or pre-trip inspection. A driver or attendant can also notice abnormal wheelchair movement, which means the chair is not being held in place the way the securement system is intended to work.
Who's affected?
Covers the 2026 and 2027 Cesb model years, both tied to the same wheelchair restraint latch/anchor hardware.
| 2026 Ic Bus Cesb | Latch/anchor |
|---|---|
| 2027 Ic Bus Cesb | Latch/anchor |
| Units affected | 627 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing injury risk for the wheelchair occupant and nearby passengers. Treat an unlocked retractor found during a functional or pre-trip inspection, or abnormal wheelchair movement, as a reason to keep that seating position out of service until inspected. Repair will be free at any franchised Ic Bus dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2026-2027 Ic Bus Cesb is included in this recall.
- Check your mail for the International owner letter mailed February 16, 2026.
- Contact a franchised Ic Bus dealer to ask whether the free wheelchair-retractor inspection and replacement is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 25V879 and International recall 25526 when you call the dealer or customer service.
- Secure wheelchair passengers only with restraints that lock correctly until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
The final dealer repair is still under development, so do not assume it can be scheduled yet. Once available, an Ic Bus technician will inspect the wheelchair securement retractors and replace any retractors that do not lock properly. The recall repair will be free, with parts and labor covered. International used its general reimbursement plan on file, so eligible out-of-pocket retractor repairs already paid can be submitted for reimbursement with documentation. Ask the service desk which paperwork International requires.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 18, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 9, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| February 9, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 9, 2026 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 16, 2026 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V879?
Recall 25V879 covers 627 2026-2027 Ic Bus Cesb school buses with wheelchair securement retractors that can fail to lock. An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit and increase injury risk. Ic Bus dealers will inspect and replace the retractors as needed for free.
What should I do if my 2026-2027 Ic Bus Cesb is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific school bus is included in recall 25V879. If it is, contact a franchised Ic Bus dealer or International customer service at 1-800-448-7825 and ask about the wheelchair retractor inspection and replacement. Reference recall 25V879 or International recall 25526.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Ic Bus dealers will inspect the wheelchair securement retractors and replace them as necessary free of charge under recall 25V879.
What is the safety risk in recall 25V879?
The risk is wheelchair movement during transit. NHTSA campaign 25V879 says the retractors can fail to lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured and increasing injury risk. Until a dealer checks the bus, do not rely on an affected securement position.
When were owners notified about recall 25V879?
International mailed owner notification letters on February 16, 2026. If you manage a 2026-2027 Ic Bus Cesb and did not receive a letter, check your VIN and contact a franchised Ic Bus dealer or International customer service with recall number 25V879.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V879000 |
|---|---|
| Ic Bus customer service | 1-800-448-7825 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V879 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V879000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →