Plastic container has a container body having an outer surface and defining a longitudinal axis, at least one recessed panel defined in the container body having an outer perimeter and recessed relative to the outer surface of the container body, the perimeter including opposing longitudinal sides and transverse ends, a transition region defined along the perimeter of the recessed panel, the transition region extending between the recessed panel and the outer surface, and at least one indentation formed in the transition region proximate at least one transverse end of the outer perimeter, the indentation having a height, a width, and a depth, the height of the indentation extending beyond the transition region. The indentation can prevent or reduce container failure due to external forces, such as side loading during a hot-fill process.