2009 Mci D4000: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2010-03-09 (March 9, 2010)

MCI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000-2009 D4000, MODEL YEAR 2001-2010 D4500 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 D4505 COACHES EQUIPPED WITH RICON WHEELCHAIR LIFT (WCL) AND A CASSETTE-TYPE WCL COMPARTMENT DOOR. THE WHEELCHAIR LIFT MAY BECOME DISENGAGED FROM A LOCKED POSITION AND SLIDE UNRESTRAINED ON ITS ROLLERS IN THE STORAGE STRUCTURE, POTENTIALLY BREAKING THROUGH THE CASSETTE DOOR AND EXTENDING BEYOND THE OUTSIDE OF THE DOOR WHEN THE COACH IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE COACH IS MAKING A LEFT TURN.

Consequence: IF THE COACH IS IN MOTION, POTENTIAL INJURY TO PERSONS AND/OR DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLES OR PROPERTY COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: MCI WILL PROVIDE PARTS AND LABOR TO INSTALL FREE OF CHARGE TO CUSTOMERS, A RICON DESIGNED RETROFIT KIT THAT INCLUDES A SPRING LOADED LOCK MECHANISM. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MCI CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AT 1-800-241-2947.

Reported: 2010-03-24 (March 24, 2010)

MCI HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 D4000 AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 D4500 AND D4505 MOTOR COACHES FITTED WITH RICON PUBLIC USE LIFTS. THE RESTRAINT BELT ON THESE LIFTS WAS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE LIFT FROM MOVING, UNLESS THE TONGUE OF THE BELT IS FULLY ENGAGED AND LATCHED IN THE BUCKLE. RICON HAS DISCOVERED, HOWEVER, THAT IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE OPERATOR TO INSERT THE BELT TONGUE INTO THE BUCKLE WITHOUT FULLY ENGAGING THE LATCHING MECHANISM. IN THIS CASE, THE RESTRAINT BELT WOULD APPEAR TO BE LATCHED, AND THE OPERATOR COULD RUN THE LIFT. IF THE RESTRAINT BELT TONGUE IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED INTO THE RESTRAINT BELT BUCKLE, AND LATCHED, THE LIFT MAY OPERATE WITH AN OCCUPANT ON THE PLATFORM.

Consequence: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE WITHOUT THE RESTRAINT BELT PROPERLY BUCKLED.

Remedy: MCI IS WORKING WITH RICON AND RICON WILL BE HANDLING THE REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. PLEASE SEE RICON'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-060. RICON WILL PROVIDE CUSTOMERS WITH A WARNING DECAL AND A DVD-BASED TRAINING AID. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-322-2884, EMAILING AT WWW.DMATA@WABTEC.COM.

Reported: 2011-10-26 (October 26, 2011)

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.

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.

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.

Reported: 2012-05-31 (May 31, 2012)

MOTOR COACH INDUSTRIES, INC (MCI) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 D4000, D4500 AND 2010 D4505 MOTOR COACHES EQUIPPED WITH LED LIGHTS INTERIOR LIGHTS AND POWERED BY EITHER A VANSCO OR IO MULTIPLEX SYSTEM. DUE TO EXCESSIVE POWER DRAW OF THE LED LIGHTS, HEAT MAY BUILD UP AT THE FUSE BLOCK AND CONNECTOR, CAUSING COMPONENTS TO MELT.

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, SURROUNDING MATERIAL MAY BE DAMAGED AND WILL BURN, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy: MCI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSTALL RE-DESIGNED WIRING, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 17, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MCI AT 1-866-624-2622.

Reported: 2013-10-17 (October 17, 2013)

Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain model year 2000-2012 D, E, G and J series coaches manufactured January 2000 through June 2011 and equipped with Sure Power battery equalizers containing a particular epoxy sealing, aka 'potting', compound. The specific potting compound used in the subject products for insulation was found to be capable of conducting electricity after being exposed to heat.

Consequence: Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: MCI will notify owners, and Sure Power will replace the equalizers, free of charge. Owners may contact MCI at 1-847-285-2000. This campaign is MCI service bulletin 401.

Reported: 2014-06-16 (June 16, 2014)

Motor Coach Industries, Inc (MCI) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 D4000 and D4500 and 2010 D4505 motor coaches equipped with LED lights interior lights powered by either a Vansco or IO multiplex system. Due to the excessive power draw of the LED lights, heat may build up at the fuse block and connector, causing the components to melt.

Consequence: If this occurs, the surrounding material may be damaged and will burn, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: MCI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuse holders, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1-847-285-2090. MCI's number for this recall is 388B. Note: This recall supersedes recall 12V-250. Motorcoaches that were remedied under the previous campaign need to be remedied under this campaign as well.