2017 Mci J4500: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2016-09-30 (September 30, 2016)

Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain model year 2017 J4500 motorcoaches manufactured March 14, 2016, to August 23, 2016. The affected vehicles may experience a multiplexing programming error that will not provide any visual or audible warnings if the vehicle's primary service brake air reservoir system has low pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Consequence: If the driver is unaware that the service brakes have low air pressure, the brakes may apply automatically, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MCI will notify owners, and dealers will correct the programming of the multiplexing system, free of charge. The recall began on October 18, 2016. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1-800-241-2947. MCI's number for this recall is SB 439.

Reported: 2017-06-02 (June 2, 2017)

Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2014-2017 J4500 motor coaches equipped with ZF front axles. In the affected vehicles, the front brake hose routing clamps may have been over-tightened, possibly damaging the brake hose wall reinforcement. If the brake hose wall reinforcement is damaged, the brake hose may leak. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Consequence: If the front brake hoses leak, the distance needed to stop the vehicle may be lengthened, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MCI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the clamp tightness, replacing any damaged brake hoses, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2017. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1-800-241-2947. MCI's number for this recall is SB 454.

Reported: 2020-04-27 (April 27, 2020)

Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain model year 2014-2019 J4500 and 2018-2019 J3500 motor coaches. The brake hoses may crack or otherwise fail resulting in an air leak. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Consequence: A leaking brake hose could cause a delay in the actuation time of the front brake, which would increase vehicle's stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MCI will notify owners to inspect the brake hoses and replace any hoses that are leaking or otherwise damaged. MCI will reimburse owners for the cost of the inspection, and will provide replacement parts as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2020. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1-800-241-2947. MCI's number for this recall is SB 481.

Reported: 2020-04-29 (April 29, 2020)

Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2015-2016 D4000, 2015-2020 D4500 and D4505, 2016-2020 J4500, 2018 J3500, and 2017 D4005 buses. The seat belts may not extend from the retracted position, rendering the seat belt unusable. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," and number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

Consequence: Inability to use the seat belt may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: MCI will notify the affected owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the seat belts, as necessary, free of charge. MCI issued owners an interim notification June 26, 2020. The recall began January 13, 2021. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1-800-241-2947. MCI's number for this recall is SB 482.

Reported: 2020-08-31 (August 31, 2020)

Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2017-2020 J4500 motor coaches. The coolant hose may fail, resulting in a low coolant warning followed by an engine shut down sequence, as well as the potential for engine coolant spilling on the roadway.

Consequence: The spilled coolant may increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, transferring passengers from the disabled bus can increase their risk of injury.

Remedy: MCI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the coolant hose, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1-800-241-2947. MCI's number for this recall is SB 486.

Reported: 2021-05-18 (May 18, 2021)

Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2017-2018 D4000, 2017-2019 D4005, D4000ISTV, D4505, 2017-2020 D4500, J4500, 2018-2020 D45CRTLE, and 2018-2021 J3500 vehicles. The sealing washer may not seat correctly in the pilot bore holes, allowing the high pressure fuel rail assembly to leak.

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rail threads, and replace the rail as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 28, 2021. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1-800-241-2947. MCI's number for this recall is R21-009.

Reported: 2021-09-24 (September 24, 2021)

Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2018 D4000, 2018-2020 D4005, D4000ISTV, 2017-2020 D4500, D4505, 2018-2021 J3500, 2017-2021 J4500, 2020 D4520, and 2018-2021 D45CRTLE motorcoaches. The Main Distribution Panel (MDP) located within the battery compartment contains a circuit board that may fail.

Consequence: MDP circuit board failure can result in a fire or an unexpected vehicle shutdown, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MCI Service Centers will remove the MDP and install a new main disconnect and circuit breaker panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 12, 2021. Owners may contact MCI's customer service at 1-800-241-2947. MCI's number for this recall is R21-010.

Reported: 2025-12-10 (December 10, 2025)

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."

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

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.