RoadVitals

2018 Mci J4500 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

13 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
21V748000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Sep 24, 2021
2,455 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: MDP circuit board failure can result in a fire or an unexpected vehicle shutdown, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Motor Coach IndustriesManufacturer number R21-010View on NHTSA.gov
21V364000

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

May 18, 2021
1,845 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The 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.
Motor Coach IndustriesManufacturer number R21-009View on NHTSA.gov
21V063000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

Feb 10, 2021
1,229 units potentially affected
The defect: Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2018-2021 J4500 and 2018-2020 D45CRTLE vehicles. The power cables may have been improperly installed and routed in the vehicle battery compartment, which may result in chafing.
The risk: The power cables may chafe, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy: MCI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary, correct the clearance for the power cables in the battery compartment, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1-800-241-2947. MCI's number for this recall is R21-003.
Motor Coach IndustriesManufacturer number R21-003View on NHTSA.gov
20V526000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS

Aug 31, 2020
1,561 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: The spilled coolant may increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, transferring passengers from the disabled bus can increase their risk of injury.
The 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.
Motor Coach IndustriesManufacturer number SB 486View on NHTSA.gov
20V352000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

Jun 12, 2020
1,067 units potentially affected
The defect: Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2018-2020 D4000, D4005, D4500, D4505 and D45CRTLE buses manufactured with electric cooling fans (E-fan) for the radiator and charge air cooler, Borg Warner 55SI model dual alternator configuration (with a sense stud and wire), and Parker Vansco Multiplexing Module (VMM) Multiplex system. A build-up of debris, corrosion, and/or water flow could cause a high resistance path to ground for the sense stud on the back of the alternator and cause the alternator to produce excessive voltage output, which may exceed the threshold limit currently programmed in the VMM and result in a loss of engine power and vehicle shutdown.
The risk: If the engine shuts down or loses power while the vehicle is in motion, this may increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: MCI will notify the affected owners, and dealers will install a new application code in the Parker VMM multiplex modules increasing the overvoltage threshold limit, free of charge. The recall began July 23, 2020. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1-800-241-2947. MCI's number for this recall is SB 479.
Motor Coach IndustriesManufacturer number SB 479View on NHTSA.gov
20V242000

SEAT BELTS

Apr 29, 2020
641 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: Inability to use the seat belt may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The 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.
Motor Coach IndustriesManufacturer number SB 482View on NHTSA.gov
20V233000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR; SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Apr 27, 2020
2,272 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: 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.
The 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.
Motor Coach IndustriesManufacturer number SB 481View on NHTSA.gov
19V344000

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

May 3, 2019
75 units potentially affected
The defect: Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2019 J3500 and D4505 buses, and 2018-2019 J4500 buses equipped with Transpec T287x Series glass roof hatches. Temperature and vibration stresses may cause the tempered glass roof hatch to shatter.
The risk: If the tempered glass roof hatch shatters, glass fragments may fall onto passengers, increasing the risk of an injury.
The remedy: MCI will notify owners, instructing them to contact the hatch manufacturer for a replacement roof hatch, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2019. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1-800-241-2947. MCI's number for this recall is SB 471.
Motor Coach IndustriesManufacturer number SB 471View on NHTSA.gov
18V692000

STRUCTURE:EMERGENCY:ESCAPE/EGRESS/EXIT

Oct 3, 2018
37 units potentially affected
The defect: Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2018-2019 MCI J4500 motorcoaches with the 60 passenger seating option. These vehicles may have an insufficient number of emergency egress windows, inhibiting passenger exit in the event of an emergency. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 217, "Bus Emergency Exits and Window Retention and Release."
The risk: In the event of an emergency, an insufficient number of emergency egress windows can lengthen the time that passengers need to exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: MCI will notify owners, and dealers will replace a non-egress window on each side of the vehicle to an egress window and install the proper emergency exit window labels, free of charge. The recall began April 4, 2019. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1-800-241-2947. MCI's number for this recall is FCP 468.
Motor Coach IndustriesManufacturer number FCP 468View on NHTSA.gov
18V225000

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

Apr 9, 2018
640 units potentially affected
The defect: Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2018 MCI J4500 motor coaches. The rear left hand window may separate from the vehicle.
The risk: If the left rear window separates from the vehicle while it is moving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash or injury.
The remedy: MCI will notify owners, and dealers will check the rear left hand window to make sure that it is securely installed, correcting it as necessary, free of charge. MCI issued owners an interim notification on June 8, 2018. The recall began on August 24, 2018. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1-800-241-2947. MCI's number for this recall is SB 463.
Motor Coach IndustriesManufacturer number SB 463View on NHTSA.gov
18V223000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

Apr 9, 2018
197 units potentially affected
The defect: Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2018 J4500 vehicles. The left rear taillight harness branch of the engine compartment wiring may contact the engine coolant tank causing a loss of power to the left taillight. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: If the left taillight does not work, the coach would have reduced visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: MCI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left taillight wiring harness, re-routing and repairing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 23, 2018. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1-800-241-2947. MCI's number for this recall is SB 461.
Motor Coach IndustriesManufacturer number SB 461View on NHTSA.gov
17V687000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Oct 30, 2017
35 units potentially affected
The defect: Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2018 MCI J4500 buses. The primary air line was incorrectly hooked to the secondary air pressure gauge and the secondary air line was hooked to the primary air pressure gauge. As such, these buses fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
The risk: The incorrect air pressure readings may increase the risk of a crash by delaying the driver's reaction to addressing the low air condition.
The remedy: MCI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air lines for proper connection, repairing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2017. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1-800-241-29471. MCI's number for this recall is SB 455.
Motor Coach IndustriesManufacturer number SB 455View 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.

PE20001ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Supply and return heater hose rupture

Opened Mar 13, 2020
Closed Sep 21, 2020

By letter dated August 31, 2020, Motor Coach Industries (MCI) notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of a safety defect that may exist in certain model year (MY) 2017-2020 J4500 vehicles. An ODI review of Early Warning Reporting (EWR) submissions by MCI, on MY 2017-2019 J4500 buses, identified ruptured heater hoses on multiple motor coaches leading to the vehicles becoming disabled. ODI communications with fleets found that a low coolant level light with an audible warning would provide notice to the bus driver to pull off the roadway before the bus shut down to prevent catastrophic engine damage. According to the fleets interviewed, there is not sufficient time between the warning and the engine shutting down to allow the driver to pull to a safe location. Multiple reports/interviews describe buses requiring passenger transfer to a second bus at roadside. Analysis of data provided by MCI in response to an ODI Information Request (IR) letter showed an elevated frequency of heater hose ruptures. The heater hoses 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. Following discussions with ODI about the elevated failure rates on the heater hoses, MCI decided to conduct safety recall 20V-526.With recall action 20V-526 taken by MCI, this investigation is closed. Further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist on other model or MY vehicles outside of the recall scope. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID Using the following identification number: 10168841

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGSLed to recall 20V526000

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources