Use cautionVehicle recall · NHTSA · Published March 19, 2026
International IC Bus CESB (2023-2027) recall: Body panels may separate in crashes
International is recalling certain 2023-2027 IC Bus CESB school buses due to potential body panel separation during crashes, risking reduced structural integrity and injury. Owners must contact customer service for free repairs.
“International IC Bus CESB (2023-2027) recall: Body panels may separate in crashes.” GovInfoNow, updated August 18, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/81405-international-ic-bus-cesb-2023-2027-recall-body-panels-may. Based on NHTSA recall #26V168000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=26V168000).
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced on March 19, 2026, that International Motors, LLC is recalling certain IC Bus CESB and EVSB school buses because body panels may separate during a crash. Dealers will inspect and repair the interior vertical joint as necessary, free of charge.
How to tell if you have it
International IC BUS CESB, 2023-2027
International IC BUS EVSB, 2025-2027
What to do
Dealers will inspect and repair the interior vertical joint as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 4, 2026. Owners may contact International's customer service at 1-800-448-7825.
The hazard
The body panels may separate during a crash, reducing structural integrity and increasing the risk of injury. The vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 221 because the body panel joint may have been attached without sufficient epoxy coverage.
Context
GovInfoNow's records show International Motors, LLC has 41 other recalls on record since October 31, 2024. Other recent recalls of similar products include Thomas Built SAF-T-LINER HDX2 Recall (June 12, 2026), Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 (2026) Recall (December 9, 2025), and Gillig 2025 Low Floor Bus Recall (December 29, 2025). Manufacturers have sent NHTSA 88 technical service bulletins covering the 2023 IC BUS CESB as of August 20, 2026.
How to tell if you have this one
Check your school bus for the 2023-2027 model year. The recall covers IC Bus CESB models, which are school buses with specific body panel joints.
Brand
International
Category
Vehicle
Based on the official NHTSA remedy
What to do — step by step
Contact Customer Service
Call International's customer service at 1-800-448-7825 to schedule a free repair at a dealer.
Get VIN Checked
Search your vehicle's VIN on NHTSA.gov starting May 11, 2026 to confirm if your bus is affected.
May 11, 2026
Official remedy
What NHTSA says to do
Dealers will inspect and repair the interior vertical joint as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 4, 2026. Owners may contact International's customer service at 1-800-448-7825. International's number for this recall is 26504. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 11, 2026.
How this recall unfolded
Recall timeline
Owners were mailed letters 46 days after NHTSA received the defect report.
1NHTSA received the defect report
2Owner letters mailed
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
Take action
Contact International
We’ve drafted a message you can send International to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 26V168000 — International IC Bus CESB (2023-2027) recall: Body panels may separate in crashes
Hello,
I own a International IC Bus CESB (2023-2027) recall: Body panels may separate in crashes that is covered by recall 26V168000 from International.
The official recall notice states: Dealers will inspect and repair the interior vertical joint as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 4, 2026. Owners may contact International's customer service at 1-800-448-7825. International's number for this recall is 26504. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 11, 2026.
I’m writing to arrange the remedy described in the recall (a refund, repair, or replacement as applicable). Could you please tell me the next steps to resolve this?
Thank you.
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on August 18, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.