Forest River Bus is recalling 213 2026 Collins School Bus school buses for misplaced body-panel adhesive. Free repair at a franchised dealer.
Forest River Bus is recalling 213 2026 Collins School Bus vehicles because body panel joint adhesive was applied in the wrong location and the panels can separate. Separated panels can reduce structural integrity and raise injury risk in a crash; Forest River Bus dealers will complete the free recall repair.
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What's wrong?
The body panel joint adhesive on a 2026 Forest River Bus Collins School Bus is the structural bonding material used where bus body panels meet. Its job is to help hold those body joints together so the school bus body keeps the joint strength required by the school bus safety standard.
On the affected buses, the adhesive was applied in the wrong location. That means the body panels were not bonded the way Forest River Bus engineering instructions required. The issue was traced to operators in that work area not following the proper application guidelines for the structural adhesive.
An owner or driver should not expect a warning sign before the problem is found. The filing lists none, so the concern is the hidden body joint bond, not a dashboard light, sound, or handling change.
Who's affected?
| 2026 Forest River Bus Collins School Bus | body structure |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 213 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2026 Forest River Bus Collins School Bus is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
A separated body panel can weaken the bus body and increase the risk of injury in a crash. There is no warning sign listed for this defect, so owners should schedule the inspection and adhesive repair soon. 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 School Bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River Bus dealer to schedule the free body-panel joint adhesive inspection and repair that secures panels bonded in the wrong location.
- Bring the owner letter if Forest River Bus mailed one. If not, reference recall number 26V041 when you call.
- Ask the dealer whether the bus should stay out of passenger service until the structural body-panel repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River Bus technician inspects the body panel joints on the 2026 Collins School Bus and applies adhesive where the joint needs additional bonding. The inspection, adhesive, parts, and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid out of pocket for a related body joint repair before the recall notice, Forest River Bus's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring repair invoices and payment records to the service desk, or contact Forest River Bus customer service with the paperwork before your appointment.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 23, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 18, 2026 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 4, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| March 4, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V041?
Recall 26V041 covers 213 2026 Forest River Bus Collins School Bus vehicles 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 School Bus is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included in recall 26V041. If it is, contact a franchised Forest River Bus dealer to schedule the body panel joint inspection and adhesive repair. Reference recall number 26V041 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. Forest River Bus dealers will inspect the school bus body panel joints and apply adhesive as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is reduced crash protection. If the body panels separate, the school bus can lose structural integrity, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. The repair path is the dealer inspection and adhesive application, free of charge.
When were owners notified?
Forest River Bus mailed owner notification letters on February 18, 2026. If you own or operate a 2026 Collins School Bus and never received a letter, check your VIN and call a franchised Forest River Bus dealer with recall number 26V041.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V041000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River Bus customer service | 1-620-888-3310 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V041 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V041000 |
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 →