2014 Collins DE416WR, 2014 Collins DE516WR, 2014 Collins DH400 and 13 other models Recall: Affected vehicles may have been assembled with an inadequate amount of…

The defect

Collins Bus Corporation (Collins) is recalling certain model year 2014 Collins and Mid Bus school buses, models SL400, SL408, DH400, DH416, DE416WR, DH500, DH516 and DE516WR, manufactured from July 21, 2014, to August 19, 2014. The affected vehicles may have been assembled with an inadequate amount of adhesive on some interior side panel joints. In the case of a collision to the side of the vehicle, the edge interior panel may become exposed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 221, "School Bus Body Joint Strength."

The risk

If the edge interior panel becomes exposed, there is an increased risk of injury to the passengers.

The fix — what to do

Collins will notify owners, and dealers will install additional structural fasteners on the applicable body panel joints, free of charge. The recall began on October 8, 2014 . Owners may contact Collins customer service at 1-800-533-1850.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.