RoadVitals

2004 Mci D4500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1
Latest Feb 20, 2007
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
7
Latest Dec 10, 2025
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2004 Mci D4500, most frequently naming the steering category. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 4 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Steering1100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
25V853000

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR; VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

Dec 10, 2025
15,454 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: The incorrect window glazing material may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Motor Coach Industries, IncManufacturer number 22-005View on NHTSA.gov
13V498000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Oct 17, 2013
10,016 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.
The 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.
Motor Coach IndustriesManufacturer number 401View on NHTSA.gov
10V087000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Mar 9, 2010
4,457 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IF THE COACH IS IN MOTION, POTENTIAL INJURY TO PERSONS AND/OR DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLES OR PROPERTY COULD OCCUR.
The 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.
MOTOR COACH INDUSTRIES, INCManufacturer number 341View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA12007ClosedEngineering Analysis

MCI Drive Shaft Safety Loop Failures

Opened Sep 13, 2012
Closed Dec 3, 2015

In the fall of 2011, network contacts made ODI aware of four (4) incidents of drive shaft failure on the subject buses involving a loss of vehicle control.Two of the incidents were relatively low speed non-crash events; and two resulted in motor coach rollovers.All four events showed signs of a common failure mode.The incidents and crashes studied during this investigation all resulted from a series of complex events that began with the the yoke journal ears on the drive shafts fracturing.Once the drive shaft failed. it was not adequately contained by a drive shaft safety loop or structure.The spinning and unrestrained drive shaft caused severe damage to components on the steerable tag axle at the rear of the vehicle and created a forced steering condition.Once the rear of the bus was being forcibly steered by the tag axle, the driver lost control of the vehicle.These conclusions are based on the forensics evidence and testing conducted by the Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC).The VRTC test report is attached to this closing resume that provides details on how the test center was able to conclusively identify the defective components on the buses and demonstrate the sequence of events that caused the buses to crash.Prior to the drive shaft failure events, there were no indications of improper maintenance or that maintenance was required that would have prevented the incidents.Additionally, the U-joints on the incident vehicles were found to be in good working condition at the time of the failure. Finally, records of driver interviews indicated a sudden onset of the failure with no warning.Following the VRTC testing, MCI issued recall 14V-335 involving certain model year 1993-1995 102DL3 motor coaches manufactured November 1992 to January 1995, and 2006 and 2008 D4505 motor coaches manufactured June 2005 to April 2008.The affected buses are equipped with a drive shaft with a compressed length of 30 inches or less (allowing it to escape containment if it fails), a steerable trailing tag axle equipped with a system that changes the axle caster when the vehicle is in reverse travel and no electronic stability control (ESC).Recall 14V-335 addresses the concerns of this investigation.The ODI report cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID: ODI Number 10447575.

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINELed to recall 14V335000
PE12007ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

MCI Driveshaft Safety Loop Failures

Opened Mar 21, 2012
Closed Sep 20, 2012

ODI has identified certain MCI coaches with powertrain configurations that may allow a driveshaft separated at the rearward universal joint to escape the guardian structure of the steerable tag axle and damage steering and braking components.The damaged components may increase the risk of a loss of vehicle control. The subject coaches include 806 model year 1992 through 2012 MCI D and E series motor coaches with steerable tag axles.This Preliminary Evaluation is being upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA12-007) to further study the alleged defect and to determine if a safety defect exists. The ODI report cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID: ODI Number 10447575.

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Steering
Filed Feb 20, 2007
Crash reported

TL*- THE CONTACTLOST CONTROL OF A 2004 MCI F3500 COACH AT A SPEED OF 30 MPH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 250000. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A FACILITY IN ST. LOUIS, WHERE HE WAS TOLD UPON ARRIVAL THAT THE STEERING PIVOT POINT RIPPED FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE, AND WAS INOPERABLE. HE CALLEDF THE MANUFACTURER THEY HAD IT TOWED TO THE REPAIR CENTER. THE FRAME WAS WEAK, AND THEY WANTED TO WIRE NEW FRAME MATERIAL, WHICH THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. HE DID NOT KNOW IF THIS HAPPENED TO ANY OTHER MOTOR COACH ON THE ROAD . ONCE THE MANUFACTURER REPAIRED THIS PROBLEM HE HA TO PAY FOR IT, BUT HE KNEW THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE A REIMBURSEMENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10183086
Incident
Feb 13, 2007
Mileage
250,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SB 3120

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Service Bulletin informs owners of the procedure to clean the batteries and reapply corrosion inhibitor every 6000 miles or 3 months, whichever first occurs.

SB-357

MOTOR COACH INDUDSTRIES: INFORMATION ON REPLACING THE COOLANT PUMP THAT MAY HAVE A PROBLEM. *RM

354

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

MOTOR COACH INDUSTRIES SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. THERE MAY BE A HARSH DOWNSHIFT, RPM FLARE, OR THE TRANSMISSION MAY LOCK. *RM

SB-277C

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT; POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT

MOTOR COACH: TAG AXLE/DRIVESHAFT INTERFERENCE-FIXED TAG AXLE. INTERFERENCE DUE TO LIMITED CLEARANCE BETWEEN DRIVE SHAFT U JOINT BEARING CAP BOLTS AND TAG AXLE CENTER BEAM. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mci D4500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024000—
2023010—
2022020—
2021020—
2020080—
2019080—
2018070—
2017050—
2016051—
2015091—
2014081—
2013051—
2012073—
2011093—
20100102—
20090113—
2008083—
2007073—
2006093—
20050103—
2004Viewing172—
2003072—
2002172—
2001052—
2000032—
1999012—
1998012—
1997012—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.