RoadVitals

2012 Mci J4500

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 May 31, 2013
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.
0
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2012 Mci J4500, most frequently naming the engine category. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 57 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

  • Engine1100.0%

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
21V737000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY:WHEELCHAIR LIFT/RAMP

Sep 23, 2021
510 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: 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.
The 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 Ricon’s 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.
Motor Coach IndustriesManufacturer number R21-024View 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

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
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

NHTSA ID
10514462
Incident
Jan 2, 2012

Manufacturer communications

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

TSIB 24-03

ENGINE

Information to owners showing the proper procedure for checking the oil level in a BITZER HVAC compressor.

TSIB 22-12

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MCI has released Technical Service Information Bulletin (TSIB) 22-12 to address concerns with water ingress in remote switch box. The TSIB provides guidance on how to rework the box to inhibit water intrusion and connector corrosion

TSIB 22-03

SEATS

Technical Service Information Bulletin describing the replacement of seating backrest attachment hardware with the addition of a mechanical lock nut on specifically equipped buses manufactured prior to model year 2020.

TSIB 21-01

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

This Technical Service Information Bulletin (TSIB) describes an update from Meritor for the bolt torque application requirements on hub-to-rotor bolts for the front, drive and tag axles, on specific coaches equipped with Meritor EX225 disc brakes, on either Conventional, PreSet or Unitized Wheel-End hubs.

SB 3139

EQUIPMENT

This Service Bulletin provides a checklist of actions to perform on a daily, weekly and monthly basis for parked coaches before they are considered ready for driving.

SB 3143

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

This Service Bulletin informs affected owners of the steps to add a tensioner bracket to increase the tension on the A/C compressor belt.

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 J4500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026010—
2025010—
2024000—
2023000—
2022000—
2021050—
2020091—
20190121—
20180131—
2017081—
2016070—
20150100—
20140100—
2013070—
2012Viewing170—
20110130—
20100110—
20090110—
20080100—
2007180—
2006080—
2005090—
2004080—
2003190—
2002070—
2001080—
2000000—
1999000—
1998000—

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.