NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 MCI J4500 Recalls & Complaints

The 2012 MCI J4500 has 7 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 2012 MCI J4500. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2012 MCI J4500 owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2012 MCI J4500, describing incidents dated January 2, 2012.

Most-cited components

Engine 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10514462 · Filed May 31, 2013
THIS PROBLEM EXISTS ON AT LEAST 4 OUT OF 10, MCI MOTOR-COACHES MANUFACTURED FROM 2006 TO 2013. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED NOR INVESTIGATED BECAUSE IT REMAINS UN-DETECTED DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS OR BY ANY COMPANY MECHANICS. THE ISSUE ONLY BECOMES APPARENT AFTER SEVERAL…

Read the full complaint

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.

Wheelchair Lift Outer Barrier May Fail/FMVSS 403

NHTSA #21V737000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility — Wheelchair Lift/Ramp · NHTSA notice

Reported September 23, 2021 · Motor Coach Industries

Potentially affected: 510 vehicles

Repair completion: 7.47% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign R21-024 · Owners notified October 18, 2021

Defect description

Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2005-2009 E4500 and 2005-2012 J4500 motorcoaches equipped with Ricon Baylift Wheelchair Lifts. When the lift's outer barrier is fully deployed, it may not withstand a sufficient amount of force, which could cause it to fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 403, "Platform Lift Systems," and number 404, "Platform lift installations."

Safety consequence

In the event that a mobility device pushes into the outer barrier, the barrier may fail, increasing the risk of injury for the lift occupant.

Manufacturer remedy

Ricon will reinforce the outer barrier with additional supports, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 18, 2021. Owners may contact the Ricon's Customer Service at (800) 322-2884, or email Ricons Recall Coordinator, at [email protected] or by locating the nearest Ricon servicing dealer using the locator on the Ricon website www.riconcorp.com. Owners may also contact MCI's customer service at 1-800-241-2947. MCI's number for this recall is R21-024.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Loss of Steering Control

NHTSA #19V027000 · Steering — Hydraulic Power Assist System · NHTSA notice

Reported January 7, 2019 · Motor Coach Industries

Potentially affected: 2,089 vehicles

Repair completion: 13.24% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign SB 469 · Owners notified May 14, 2021 · Vehicles built March 6, 2001 – October 24, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2001-2015 J4500 and 1997-2013 102EL3/E4500 coaches equipped with a hydraulic rear axle (tag axle) steering system. The axle's alignment and low hydraulic pressure in the steering system may cause the steering system to lock, causing a loss of steering control at highway speeds.

Safety consequence

Loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

MCI will inspect and repair axle alignment, as necessary, free of charge. MCI issued owners an interim notification on March 26, 2019. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 14, 2021. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1-800-241-2947. MCI's number for this recall is SB 469.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Missing J-Bracket Welds on Bus Operator Seat

NHTSA #16V020000 · Seats · NHTSA notice

Reported January 20, 2016 · Motor Coach Industries

Potentially affected: 607 vehicles

Repair completion: 71.83% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign SB 431 · Owners notified February 15, 2016 · Vehicles built November 18, 2011 – July 10, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 and 2015 J4500 coaches manufactured November 18, 2011, to July 10, 2015, 2011-2012 and 2014-2015 D4000 coaches manufactured manufactured September 24, 2010, to September 5, 2015, 2011-2013 and 2015-2016 D4005 coaches manufactured January 17, 2011, to November 23, 2015, 2012-2014 and 2016 D4000ISTV coaches manufactured July 18, 2012, to December 2, 2015, 2010-2016 D4500 coaches manufactured April 15, 2010, to December 18, 2015 and 2011-2016 D4505 coaches manufactured December 15, 2010, to December 4, 2015. The affected buses are equipped with certain Recaro Ergo-M Commercial Bus Driver Seats that have J-Brackets that may be missing welds which could allow the seat belt anchorage assembly to separate from the J-Bracket.

Safety consequence

If the seatbelt anchorage assembly separates from the J-Bracket, the bus driver may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash increasing their risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

MCI will notify owners and dealers will inspect the seats and determined if welds are missing. Any J-Bracket that is missing welds will be removed and replaced, free of charge. The recall began on February 15, 2016. Owners may contact MCI at 1-800-241-2947. MCI's number for this recall is SB 431.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Seats may Detach from Floor in a Crash

NHTSA #14V172000 · Seat Belts — Front — Anchorage · NHTSA notice

Reported April 4, 2014 · Motor Coach Industries

Potentially affected: 957 vehicles

Repair completion: 73.56% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 408 · Owners notified May 9, 2014 · Vehicles built October 1, 2008 – October 31, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 E4500 and J4500 motorcoaches manufactured October 2008 through October 2013, and equipped with passenger seats with 3-point seat belts. The seat track for the second row passenger seats may be missing a weld at the end of the seat track where it enters the frame structure.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash, the seat may detach from its floor mounting, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.

Manufacturer remedy

MCI will notify owners, and dealers will modify the seat anchorage, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2014. Owners may contact MCI at 1-800-241-2947. MCI's number for this recall is 408.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

TRANSOM WINDOWS

NHTSA #12V135000 · Visibility — Glass, Side/Rear · NHTSA notice

Reported March 30, 2012 · MOTOR COACH INDUSTRIES, INC

Potentially affected: 615 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 369 · Owners notified June 5, 2012

Defect description

MOTOR COACH INDUSTRIES, INC (MCI) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 J MOTOR COACHES. DUE TO INADEQUATE BONDING, THE TRANSOM WINDOWS (THE REAR-MOST WINDOWS ON EACH SIDE), MAY DETACH FROM THE COACH.

Safety consequence

A TRANSOM WINDOW MAY DETACH WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Manufacturer remedy

MCI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSTALL MECHANICAL RETENTION CLIPS ON THE TRANSOM WINDOWS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 5, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MCI AT 1-800-241-2947.

Notes

MCIS RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 369.CUSTOMERS MAY 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.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM MODULE

NHTSA #11V524000 · Electronic Stability Control (ESC) · NHTSA notice

Reported October 26, 2011 · MOTOR COACH INDUSTRIES, INC

Potentially affected: 1,962 vehicles

Owners notified January 4, 2012

Defect description

MOTOR COACH INDUSTRIES (MCI) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003, AND 2007-2012 E AND J MODELS ALONG WITH MODEL YEAR 2007-2012 D4000, D4005, D4500, D4505, D4000ISTV MOTOR COACHES EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR WABCO ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MODULES, MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2002, THROUGH OCTOBER 2011. UNDER CERTAIN ROAD AND DRIVING CONDITIONS, VEHICLE BODY ROLL AND ROAD INCLINATION CHARACTERISTICS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE SLIP ANGLE CALCULATION OF THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) SYSTEM. THIS MIGHT CAUSE THE ESC TO PERCEIVE AN OVER STEERING SITUATION AND THEREFORE APPLY THE OUTER WHEEL BRAKE ON THE FRONT AXLE UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS PERCEIVED TO BE STABLE.

Safety consequence

IF THE DRIVER IS SLOW TO REACT DURING THIS ESC INTERVENTION, THE VEHICLE MAY DEVIATE FROM THE INTENDED LINE OF TRAVEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

MCI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 4, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MCI CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-241-2947.

Notes

MCI SAFETY RECALL NUMBER IS 371.OWNERS MAY 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2012 MCI J4500. 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 2012 MCI J4500.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10514462

Incident: January 2, 2012 · Filed: May 31, 2013

THIS PROBLEM EXISTS ON AT LEAST 4 OUT OF 10, MCI MOTOR-COACHES MANUFACTURED FROM 2006 TO 2013. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED NOR INVESTIGATED BECAUSE IT REMAINS UN-DETECTED DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS OR BY ANY COMPANY MECHANICS. THE ISSUE ONLY BECOMES APPARENT AFTER SEVERAL HOURS OF CONTINUOUS DRIVING A (MINIMUM OF 400 MILES ) MCI PASSENGER MOTOR-COACH. NO FACILITY OR MECHANIC WILL DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR THE EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME TO DETECT THE PROBLEM. THERE IS ALSO NO EQUIPMENT/MONITOR AVAILABLE TO MONITOR OR EVALUATE THE AIR QUALITY IN THE DRIVER CABIN AREA. THE DRIVER AREA BEGINS TO SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE VAPORS/TOXIC FUMES THAT HAVE ESCAPED INTO THE DRIVER COCKPIT. THERE IS NO OBVIOUS LEAKS OF ANY COOLANT/ANTIFREEZE IN THE DRIVER AREA AND THE DRIVER AC/HEATER CORE APPEARS TO HAVE NO LEAKS YET THE TOXIC FUMES/VAPORS ARE SEEPING INTO THE DRIVER CABIN. THE DRIVERS ARE FORCED TO COPE WITH CONTINUOUS EXPOSURE OF THE DANGEROUS FUMES/VAPORS THAT NOT ONLY AFFECT THE ENTIRE ENVIRONMENT AND AIR QUALITY BUT THE HEALTH OF THE DRIVER AND POSSIBLY THE GENERAL PUBLIC/PASSENGERS. *TR

Other MCI J4500 model years

Check your 2012 MCI J4500 VIN

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