NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 MCI 102DL3 Recalls & Complaints

The 1997 MCI 102DL3 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized MCI dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 MCI 102DL3. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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1997 MCI 102DL3 owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 1997 MCI 102DL3, describing incidents dated November 16, 2013.

Most-cited components

Suspension 1 complaint

The complaint on file reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10553371 · Filed November 22, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MCI 102DL3 BUS. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH AND TRANSPORTING CHILDREN WHEN A BURNING ODOR WAS EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT THE FAILURE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TAG AND THE DRIVE WHEEL WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS…

Read the full complaint

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1997 MCI 102DL3 in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA12-007: MCI Drive Shaft Safety Loop Failures
Closed December 3, 2015
- Recall 14V-335
Preliminary Evaluation PE12-007: MCI Driveshaft Safety Loop Failures
Closed September 20, 2012

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Incorrect Front Door Glaze Material/FMVSS 205

NHTSA #25V853000 · Structure — Body — Door · NHTSA notice

Reported December 10, 2025 · Motor Coach Industries, Inc

Potentially affected: 15,454 vehicles

Repair completion: 0.03% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 22-005 · Owners notified February 4, 2026

Defect description

Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 102DL3, 102D3, MC12PTV, E4500, D4000, 102D3ISTV, D4500, J4500, D4000ISTV, D4005, D4505, and J3500 transit buses. Please refer to MCI's recall report for specific model year information. The front door lower curb view glazing material is incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 205, "Glazing Materials."

Safety consequence

The incorrect window glazing material may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

MCI will replace the glass, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 4, 2026. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1-800-241-2947. MCI's number for this recall is 22-005.

BOOST CONNECTOR

NHTSA #06V481000 · Electrical System — 12V/24V/48V Battery · NHTSA notice

Reported December 19, 2006 · MOTOR COACH INDUSTRIES, INC

Potentially affected: 1,617 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 274 · Owners notified January 2, 2007 · Vehicles built August 26, 1997 – June 7, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MOTOR COACHES, THE BOOST CONNECTOR HOUSING CAN FAIL OVER TIME, EXPOSING THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE TERMINALS.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN THE GROUNDING OF AN UNPROTECTED CIRCUIT AND COULD LEAD TO A THERMAL EVENT IF NOT CORRECTED.

Manufacturer remedy

CUSTOMERS ARE BEING ADVISED TO REMOVE THE BOOST CONNECTOR AND DISCARD IT. CUSTOMERS WILL BE OFFERED A NEW DESIGN BOOST CONNECTOR AS AN ALTERNATIVE AT NO COST. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MCI AT 1-800-241-2947.

Notes

MCI RECALL NO. 274.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

MCI/ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

NHTSA #97V053000 · Equipment — Recreational Vehicle/Trailer — LPG Systems — Furnace · NHTSA notice

Reported April 3, 1997 · MOTOR COACH IND., INC.

Potentially affected: 3,300 vehicles

Owners notified September 30, 1997 · Vehicles built October 1, 1992 – March 4, 1997 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BUSES EQUIPPED WITH 4-STROKE CYCLE ENGINES. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES HAVE OCCURRED AT OR NEAR THE WEBASTO DIESEL FUELED AUXILIARY HEATER.

Safety consequence

PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE CAN OCCUR DUE TO AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

MCI IS ASKING COACH OPERATORS TO DISABLE THE WEBASTO HEATER BY DISCONNECTING THE APPROPRIATE FUSES.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION WAS COMPLETED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MCI AT 1-701-825-6234.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1997 MCI 102DL3. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

1 owner complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 MCI 102DL3.

Suspension

ODI #10553371

Fire

Incident: November 16, 2013 · Filed: November 22, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MCI 102DL3 BUS. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH AND TRANSPORTING CHILDREN WHEN A BURNING ODOR WAS EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT THE FAILURE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TAG AND THE DRIVE WHEEL WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BY USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,232.

Other MCI 102DL3 model years

Check your 1997 MCI 102DL3 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your MCI 102DL3 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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