The 1998 Collins Grand Bantam has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 657 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. Last updated July 5, 2026.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: DUAL REAR WHEEL SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON FORD E-350 AND E-450 'SUPER DUTY' CUTAWAY CHASSIS, EXTERIOR BODY WIDTH OF 80", GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING OF 11,500 OR 14,050 POUNDS. THESE BUSES MAY HAVE A MODIFICATION TO THE FRAME RAIL CONSISTING OF A NOTCH IN THE LOWER FLANGE OF THE LEFT-HAND FRAME…
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE FRAME RAIL FLANGES COULD CONTACT AND RUPTURE THE FUEL TANK INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE FIRE AND PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy
OWNERS WILL NEED TO INSPECT THEIR BUSES AND IF REPAIRS ARE NECESSARY, WILL BE PROVIDED WITH THE REPAIR PARTS REQUIRED. IF AN OWNER DESIRES, THEIR DEALER CAN PERFORM THE INSPECTION AND REPAIR.
EQUIPMENT98V0610001998-03-19225 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: DUAL REAR WHEEL SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON FORD E-350 CUTAWAY CHASSIS. THE WRONG FRONT AND REAR AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS ARE LISTED ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL.
Consequence
OWNERS COULD OVERLOAD THE AXLES IF FOLLOWING THE RATINGS AS LISTED.
Remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A DECAL TO BE PLACED ON THE CURRENT CERTIFICATION PLATE SHOWING THE CORRECT WEIGHT LIMITS FOR THE AXLES.
Complaints by component
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
2
Total complaints2
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Difficulty getting seat belt to release when exiting the vehicle”
“Difficulty getting seat belt to release when exiting the vehicle”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 Collins Grand Bantam as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.