Recall 26V168 covers 2,874 2023-2027 Ic Bus Cesb and Evsb school buses for weak body-panel joints. Repair is free at any franchised Ic Bus dealer.
Ic Bus is recalling 2,874 2023-2027 Cesb and Evsb school buses because a body panel joint lacked enough epoxy coverage and does not meet school bus body joint strength rules. The body panels can separate during a crash, reducing structural integrity and increasing injury risk; Ic Bus dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The epoxy in this recall is the adhesive used at the body panel joint near the side emergency door on certain 2023-2027 Ic Bus Cesb and Evsb school buses. That joint is where overlapping body panels are bonded together so the bus body keeps the strength required for a school bus body joint. The epoxy works with the fasteners and panel lap to keep the joint from separating under load.
On affected buses, the side emergency door interior vertical joints were built without enough epoxy coverage. The assembly process did not leave the joint bonded as intended, and pull testing confirmed that a joint built without epoxy did not meet the required body joint strength standard. International later updated the work instructions for applying epoxy to the panel lap.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or fleet technician should not expect a noise, warning light, or obvious exterior change that confirms the missing adhesive.
Who's affected?
Spans Cesb and Evsb buses across 2023-2027, with both body structure and critical fasteners tied to missing epoxy.
| 2023 Ic Bus Cesb | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| 2023 Ic Bus Cesb | body structure |
| 2024 Ic Bus Cesb | body or structural component |
| 2024 Ic Bus Cesb | body structure |
| 2025 Ic Bus Cesb | body or structural component |
| 2025 Ic Bus Cesb | body structure |
| 2026 Ic Bus Cesb | body or structural component |
| 2026 Ic Bus Cesb | body structure |
| 2027 Ic Bus Cesb | body or structural component |
| 2027 Ic Bus Cesb | body structure |
| 2025 Ic Bus Evsb | body or structural component |
| 2025 Ic Bus Evsb | body structure |
| 2027 Ic Bus Evsb | body or structural component |
| 2027 Ic Bus Evsb | body structure |
| 2026 Ic Bus Evsb | body or structural component |
| 2026 Ic Bus Evsb | body structure |
| Units affected | 2,874 |
| 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?
In a crash, separated body panels can reduce structural integrity and increase the risk of injury. There is no listed warning sign before a crash reveals the problem, so confirm your VIN and arrange the dealer inspection and repair promptly. Repair is free at any franchised Ic Bus dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2023-2027 Ic Bus Cesb or Evsb school bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ic Bus dealer to schedule the free interior vertical joint inspection and repair that restores body-panel joint strength.
- Reference recall number 26V168 when you call, and ask whether the bus needs service before regular routes continue.
- Bring the recall notice if Ic Bus has mailed one, along with any service records for body-panel or structure repairs.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Ic Bus technician inspects the interior vertical body panel joint for the epoxy coverage problem covered by this recall. If the joint needs work, the technician repairs it so the body joint meets the recall remedy. The inspection and repair are free under the recall, with parts and labor covered. International used its general reimbursement plan on file, so owners who already paid for a related repair should submit documentation through International's reimbursement process.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 19, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 11, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| May 11, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 11, 2026 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V168?
Recall 26V168 covers 2,874 2023-2027 Ic Bus Cesb and Evsb school buses with body panel joints that lack sufficient epoxy coverage. The buses fail FMVSS No. 221 for school bus body joint strength. Ic Bus dealers will inspect and repair the interior vertical joint for free.
What should I do if my 2023-2027 Ic Bus Cesb or Evsb is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included in recall 26V168. If it is, contact a franchised Ic Bus dealer to schedule the interior vertical joint inspection and repair. Reference recall 26V168 and Ic Bus recall number 26504 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair this safety defect at no cost. Ic Bus dealers will inspect the interior vertical joint and complete the needed repair free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced crash protection. If the affected body panel joints separate during a crash, the school bus body loses structural integrity, which increases the risk of injury. The repair path is to have an Ic Bus dealer inspect and repair the joint.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V168000 |
|---|---|
| Ic Bus customer service | 1-800-448-7825 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V168 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V168000 |
Source documents
-
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 →