VehicleVerdict

2012 Collins Sl problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 2012 Collins Sl — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other Sl years?

Sl NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted1 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 0 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 0 complaints2017: 0 complaints2018: 0 complaints2019: 0 complaints2020: 0 complaints
Sl NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sl years to avoid →

Does the 2012 Collins Sl have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V699000OtherSeptember 19, 2022 · 3,514 units

Defect

Collins Bus is recalling certain 2012-2020 Ford SL, Ford SH, Ford DH, Ford DE, Ford TH, Ford TL, Chevy DE, and Chevy DH school buses. The emergency exit label may be placed in the incorrect location and the lettering height may not be high enough. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 217, "Bus Emergency Exits and Window Retention and Release."

Consequence

In an emergency, the incorrect window label instructions may prevent or delay the use of the emergency exit, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Collins Bus will mail new labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 21, 2022. Owners may contact Collins Bus' customer service at 1-800-533-1850 ext. 424.

12V386000Body & StructureAugust 6, 2012 · 641 units

Defect

Collins is recalling certain model year 2012 Collins, Corbeil and Mid Bus Brand SL, SH, DH, and DE school buses and multi-function school activity buses manufactured from March 12, 2012, through August 1, 2012. Some of the body mount bolts may not have been torqued to specification.

Consequence

Without correctly tightened body mount bolts, there may be a reduction in the vehicle's integrity, which in the event of a crash, may result in the passengers having an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

Collins will notify owner, and dealers will repair the buses free of charge. The safety recall began during August 2012. Owners may contact Collins at 1-800-533-1850, ext 424.

12V387000BrakesAugust 6, 2012 · 282 units

Defect

Collins is recalling certain model year 2012 Collins, Corbeil and Mid Bus brand SL, SH, DH, and DE school and multi-function school activity buses manufactured from March 12, 2012, through July 13, 2012. The metal hydraulic service brake line feeding the RH rear service brake assembly may interfere with a body mount assembly. The location of this interference is at the first body mount location directly ahead of the rear axle and on the inboard side of the passenger side frame rail.

Consequence

This interference could cause a rupture in the brake line, leading to the loss of brake fluid and failure of the brakes, potentially leading to a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Collins will notify owners, and dealers will repair the buses free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during August 2012. Owners may contact Collins at 1-800-533-1850.

12V340000Visibility & WipersJuly 19, 2012 · 1,429 units

Defect

Collins is recalling certain model year 2012 Collins, Mid-Bus, or Corbeil SL, SH, DH, and DE model school and multi-function school activity buses manufacturer from March 15, 2012, through October 30, 2012, equipped with Spectal split sash emergency egress windows. The split sash windows fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 217, "Bus Emergency Exits and Window Retention and Release." The windows may have an improperly installed retainer bar, insufficient strength of the egress window latch connecting rod, and/or missing or failed window fasteners.

Consequence

In the event of a crash, vehicle occupants may not be able to exit the bus, increasing the risk of injury. If all the fasteners on a single retaining bar failed, the window would not remain secured to the bus, creating a risk of injury for passengers or persons outside of the bus.

Remedy

Collins will notify owners, and dealers will repair the buses free of charge. The safety recall began during September 2012. Owners may contact Collins at 1-800-533-1850.

12V342000Electrical SystemJuly 19, 2012 · 196 units

Defect

Collins is recalling certain model year 2012 Collins, Mid-Bus, and Corbeil SL, SH, DH, and DE model school and multi-function school activity buses manufactured from March 12, 2012, through July 2, 2012. The electrical panel cover above the driver may not be adequately secured. Vibration can cause the designed disks to lose grip and release the cover without warning.

Consequence

The panel could fall and injure or distract the driver, leading to a crash.

Remedy

Collins will notify owners, and dealers will repair the buses free of charge. The safety recall began on August 13, 2012. Owners may contact Collins at 1-800-533-1850.

12V346000Body & StructureJuly 19, 2012 · 171 units

Defect

Collins is recalling certain model year 2012 Collins, Mid-Bus, or Corbeil SL, SH, DH, and DE model school and multi-function school activity buses manufacturer from March 12, 2012, through July 3, 2012. When the Double Out Door is open, there is potential for a drawstring of a backpack or an article of clothing to become entangled in a gap at the door bracket or support hardware as a passenger is exiting the bus.

Consequence

If a drawstring or any other article of clothing worn by a passenger is entangled or snagged by the handrail, the bus operator may not be aware that the passenger is caught and could move the bus, potentially pulling the passenger under the wheels. This situation could lead to injury or even death.

Remedy

Collins will notify owners, and dealers will repair the buses free of charge. The safety recall began on August 16, 2012. Owners may contact Collins at 1-800-533-1850.

2012 Collins Sl — common questions

Is the 2012 Collins Sl reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2012 Collins Sl have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Collins Sl. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.