Recall 26V040 affects 19 2026 Forest River Bus Collins Bus buses for misplaced body-panel adhesive. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River Bus dealer.
Forest River Bus is recalling 19 2026 Collins Bus transit buses because body panel joint adhesive is in the wrong location, which lets body panels separate. Separated panels reduce structural integrity and increase injury risk in a crash; Forest River Bus dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The structural adhesive on the 2026 Forest River Bus Collins Bus is the bonding material used at body panel joints. Its normal job is to hold adjoining body panels together so the bus body keeps the joint strength required by federal school bus body rules.
On affected buses, the adhesive was applied in the wrong location. That leaves the joint without the intended bond, so the panels do not have the designed attachment at that seam. Forest River Bus traced the issue to operators not following the engineering guidelines for where the adhesive belongs.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or driver should not expect a dashboard light, sound, or handling change before a body panel joint separates.
Who's affected?
| 2026 Forest River Bus Collins Bus | body structure |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 19 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2026 Forest River Bus Collins Bus is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
Separated body panels can reduce the bus body's structural integrity and increase the risk of injury in a crash. There is no warning sign before the panels separate, so schedule the inspection soon if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River Bus dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2026 Forest River Bus Collins Bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River Bus dealer to schedule the free inspection and adhesive repair that secures the body panel joints.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 26V040 and Forest River Bus recall 551-2023 when you call.
- Ask the dealer about safe use before carrying passengers if the repair appointment is not immediate.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River Bus technician inspects the body panel joints and applies adhesive where the joint needs repair. The inspection, adhesive work, parts, and labor are free under the recall. Forest River Bus uses the manufacturer's standard reimbursement plan for this campaign. If you already paid out of pocket for a related body panel joint repair before the notice, contact Forest River Bus customer service with your repair documentation.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 23, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 16, 2026 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 4, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| March 4, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V040?
Recall 26V040 covers 19 2026 Forest River Bus Collins Bus transit buses with body panel joint adhesive applied in the wrong location. The panels can separate, reducing structural integrity and increasing injury risk in a crash. Dealers will inspect and apply adhesive as needed for free.
What should I do if my 2026 Forest River Bus Collins Bus is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 26V040. If it is, contact a franchised Forest River Bus dealer to schedule the inspection and adhesive repair. Reference recall 26V040 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform recall repairs at no cost, and Forest River Bus dealers will inspect the body panel joints and apply adhesive as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced body strength in a crash. If the body panels separate, the bus structure does not provide the intended joint strength, increasing the risk of injury. The repair path is an inspection and adhesive application at a Forest River Bus dealer for free.
When were owners notified about recall 26V040?
Forest River Bus mailed owner notification letters on February 16, 2026. If you did not receive a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2026 Collins Bus is included, then call a franchised Forest River Bus dealer for the free inspection and repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V040000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River Bus customer service | 1-620-888-3310 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V040 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V040000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 →