RoadVitals

2020 Mci J4500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
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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.
9
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.
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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.
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Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Mci J4500. 9 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 44 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.

Safety recalls

9 campaigns cover this model year

View all 9

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
23V240000

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

Apr 5, 2023
140 units potentially affected
The defect: Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2019-2021 D45CRTLE, J3500, and J4500 coaches, equipped with a rear-mounted bike rack. The vehicle's rear lighting may be obstructed when bikes are installed on the bike rack. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: Obstructed rear lighting may reduce the visibility of the vehicle to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: MCI will provide instructions and a kit to add lighting to the rear-mounted bike rack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 31, 2023. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1-800-241-2947.
Motor Coach IndustriesView on NHTSA.gov
21V971000

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

Dec 15, 2021
1,125 units potentially affected
The defect: Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2019-2022 D4000 ISTV, D4500, 2021 D4000, D4520, 2020-2021 D4505, D4005, 2020-2022 D45CRTLE, and 2019-2021 J4500 vehicles equipped with certain Cummins X12 diesel engines. The fuel tubes between the fuel rail and the injectors for cylinders four, five, and six may fatigue and crack, which can result in a high pressure fuel leak.
The risk: A high pressure fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: On engines with 75 miles or less, Cummins dealers will install vibration isolators to the fuel tubes. Engines with more than 75 miles will receive new fuel tubes with vibration isolators. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 11, 2022. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1-800-241-2947. MCI's number for this recall is R21-028.
Motor Coach IndustriesManufacturer number R21-028View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

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

Recent owner complaints

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

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Manufacturer communications

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

TSIB 26-05

ENGINE

This bulletin introduces an optional product improvement to the A/C compressor drive system for coaches equipped with a Cummins X12. The improved pulley system is available for customers who wish to reduce noise and vibration characteristics and may be installed at the customer’s discretion.

TSIB 26-01

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This TSIB provides information to provide a software update. Some coaches using MCC HVAC Eco-Tempo ECU # 07-10-009 software T35-1581 / V1.04 may be experiencing random fault codes due to MCC software errors.

ITS61078

ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Instructions to remove DEF sensor bypass calibration from engine ECM and new sensor installation AR - 22inch DEF tank

ITS61414

Instructions to add parts and labels for required impact sensors and Prop 65 warning decals (for diesel) for the State of California new coach deliveries.

TSIB 26-04

STEERING; SUSPENSION

This TSIB is to inform customers the recommended steering axle cleaning/greasing instructions to prevent damage on axle components due to displacement of grease from the bearings, lubrication reduction and accelerate wear for coaches with independent front suspension.

ITS61475

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Instructions to download BCC program (T35-1581) V4.06. This program will allow the Eco-Temp system to properly log A17 code for low suction pressure.

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—
2020Viewing091—
20190121—
20180131—
2017081—
2016070—
20150100—
20140100—
2013070—
2012170—
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.