RoadVitals

2011 Mci E4500 Recalls

Safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA that cover this model year

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
Recall campaignsA 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.
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Newest Dec 10, 2025
Carrying an NHTSA advisoryCampaigns where NHTSA told owners not to drive the vehicle, or to park it outside, until the repair is done.
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Open 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.
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1 investigation on file

Recall campaigns

9 campaigns cover this model year — what the defect is, what it could cause, and what the remedy is

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
19V027000

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Jan 7, 2019
2,089 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: Loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Motor Coach IndustriesManufacturer number SB 469View on NHTSA.gov
14V172000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE; SEATS

Apr 4, 2014
957 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: In the event of a crash, the seat may detach from its floor mounting, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
The 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.
Motor Coach IndustriesManufacturer number 408View 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
11V524000

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

Oct 26, 2011
1,962 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
MOTOR COACH INDUSTRIES, INCView on NHTSA.gov
11V457000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Aug 31, 2011
10 units potentially affected
The defect: MOTOR COACH INDUSTRIES, INC. (MCI) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 E4500 AND J4500 MOTOR COACHES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 2010 THROUGH JANUARY 2011, EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS ISX 11.9 DIESEL ENGINE. THE V-BAND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, PART NUMBERS Q187684, Q187685, AND Q187686, USED TO CONNECT THE INLET AND OUTLET CONE SECTIONS TO THE DIESEL OXIDATION CATALYST (DOC)/DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) INCLUDE A T-BOLT WHICH CAN FRACTURE AND FAIL WHEN SUBJECTED TO STRESS OR LOAD. A FRACTURE OR FAILURE OF THE T-BOLT MAY CAUSE THE CLAMP TO LOOSEN AND THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS ATTACHED TO THE DOC/DPF HOUSING TO DISCONNECT.
The risk: IF THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS DISCONNECT, HOT EXHAUST GASES CAN VENT PRIOR TO EXITING THE TAILPIPE, CREATING THE RISK OF COMBUSTION AND A FIRE. IF BOTH CLAMPS FAIL, THERE IS A RISK IN SOME APPLICATIONS THAT THE DOC/DPF HOUSING MAY DETACH COMPLETELY, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD.
The remedy: MCI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED CUMMINS DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MCI AT 1-800-241-2947 OR CUMMINS AT 1-812-377-5000 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
MOTOR COACH INDUSTRIES, INCManufacturer number 364View on NHTSA.gov
11V379000

VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

Jul 27, 2011
300 units potentially affected
The defect: MCI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 MCI E4500, AND J4500, MOTOR COACHES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2010 THROUGH JULY 2011, EQUIPPED WITH A DOGA WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. AN UNDERRATED FUSE MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY, WHICH COULD BLOW, RESULTING IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT OPERATING.
The risk: THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY MAY BE REDUCED, WHICH IN TURN COULD RESULT IN A CRASH OR OTHERWISE CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUSE AND REPLACE ANY UNDERRATED FUSES THAT MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 3, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MCI CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-241-2947.
MOTOR COACH INDUSTRIES, INCView on NHTSA.gov
11V150000

VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

Mar 1, 2011
144 units potentially affected
The defect: MCI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 MCI J4500, E4500, AND J4500C MOTOR COACHES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 1, 2010 THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2011, AND EQUIPPED WITH DOGA WINDSHIELD WIPERS. CERTAIN WIRES MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED BY MCI AT THE FACTORY WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILING TO OPERATE.
The risk: THE DRIVER'S FIELD OF VIEW MAY BE REDUCED, WHICH IN TURN COULD RESULT IN A CRASH OR OTHERWISE CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND CONNECT ANY WIRES THAT WERE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 14, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MCI CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-241-2947.
MOTOR COACH INDUSTRIES, INCManufacturer number 356View on NHTSA.gov
10V135000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

Apr 6, 2010
1,261 units potentially affected
The defect: MCI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999-2001, 2007-2011 E4500 AND MODEL YEAR 2001-2011 J4500 COACHES EQUIPPED WITH DOGA WINDSHIELD MOTORS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL TO OPERATE PROPERLY WHILE THE WIPER SYSTEM IS FUNCTIONING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAY OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY, OPERATE AT A SINGLE SPEED ONLY, OR COMPLETELY STOP OPERATING.
The risk: IF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP FUNCTIONING, THE DRIVER'S CLEAR FIELD OF VIEW MAY BE REDUCED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL FURNISH THE PARTS AND LABOR REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT THE DOGA-RECOMMENDED REMEDIES ON THE AFFECTED COACHES. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MCI CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-241-2947.
MOTOR COACH INDUSTRIES, INCView on NHTSA.gov

What a recall is

Safety recall
A 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.
Safety investigation
NHTSA 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.
Manufacturer communication
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.

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and it is not a recall.

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

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources