2003 Mci E4500

Routine

Owners filed 1 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 9 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System1
000

9 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear25V853000
Filed Dec 10, 202515,454 vehiclesMotor Coach Industries, Inc

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."

Risk. The incorrect window glazing material may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System19V027000
Filed Jan 7, 20192,089 vehiclesMotor Coach Industries

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.

Risk. Loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash.

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.

Electrical System13V498000
Filed Oct 17, 201310,016 vehiclesMotor Coach Industries

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.

Risk. Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.

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.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)11V524000
Filed Oct 26, 20111,962 vehiclesMotor Coach Industries, Inc

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.

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.

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.

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear10V373000
Filed Aug 11, 20101,087 vehiclesMotor Coach Industries, Inc

Defect. MCI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 E4500, MODEL YEAR 2002-2006 E4500C, MODEL YEAR 2001-2005 J4500, AND MODEL YEAR 2006 J4500C MOTOR COACHES EQUIPPED WITH SE-GI PASSENGER WINDOWS. THE ADHESIVE BOND BETWEEN THE WINDOW GLASS AND THE ALUMINUM WINDOW FRAME ON THE AFFECTED COACHES MAY DEGRADE.

Risk. IF THE WINDOW GLASS BECOMES PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY DEBONDED FROM ITS FRAME, THE WINDOW GLASS MAY DETACH AND FALL FROM THE COACH AND CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT, TEST, AND REPAIR, AS NECESSARY, THE SE-GI WINDOW ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MCI CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-241-2947.

Steering09V196000
Filed Jun 1, 2009502 vehiclesMotor Coach Industries, Inc

Defect. MCI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 MOTOR COACHES, MODEL J4500 MANUFACTURED BETWEEN OCTOBER 2007 AND APRIL 2009; 2009 MOTOR COACHES MODELS D4000ISTV, D4005, D4500, AND D4505 MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY AND JULY 2009; 2010 D4500 COACHES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 2008 AND APRIL 2009; 2009 E4500 COACHES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY AND APRIL 2009; AND ONE 2003 E4500 COACH MANUFACTURED IN OCTOBER 2002. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR WABCO STEERING ANGLE SENSORS (SAS) WHICH CAN DEVELOP INTERNAL FRICTION BETWEEN THE SENSOR GEARS AND THE SENSOR HOUSING AS A RESULT OF EXTERNAL FORCES EXPERIENCED ON THE VEHICLE INCLUDING VIBRATION. IF DEVELOPED FRICTION IS GREAT ENOUGH, THE DRIVING TAB OF THE SAS CAN SHEER AS THE DRIVER TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL.

Risk. WITH A BROKEN SAS DRIVING TAB, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, WHICH COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. MCI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MCI AT 1-800-241-2947.

Equipment08V603000
Filed Nov 21, 20081,893 vehiclesMotor Coach Industries, Inc

Defect. MCI IS RECALLING 1,893 MY 2002-2008 D MODEL AND MY 2001-2008 E AND J4500 MOTOR COACHES EQUIPPED WITH ZF TRANSMISSIONS. THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE SHIFT SELECTOR TO MALFUNCTION AS A RESULT OF A CELL PHONE OR RADIO BEING PLACED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE SHIFTER CONTROL PAD.

Risk. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE SHIFT SELECTOR MAY MOVE INTO REVERSE WITHOUT DRIVER KNOWLEDGE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. MCI IS WORKING WITH ZF AND HAS CREATED A SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT PROTECTS AGAINST THE POTENTIAL FOR TRANSIENT ANALOG OR DIGITAL SIGNAL INTERFERENCE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2008. .OWNERS MAY CONTACT MCI AT 1-800-333-0371 AND ZF AT 1-734-416-6200.

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System06V241000
Filed Jul 6, 20061,768 vehiclesMotor Coach Industries, Inc

Defect. ON CERTAIN MOTOR COACHES EQUIPPED WITH A SLIDE SWITCH TO CONTROL THE DEFROSTER BLOWER SPEED, THERE IS A SPEED CONTROLLER FOR EACH OF THE TWO DEFROSTER FAN MOTORS. THE SPEED CONTROLLER MAY FAIL CAUSING THE FAN MOTOR TO OPERATE CONTINUOUSLY IN THE "HIGH" SPEED MODE, AND THE CARRIER SLIDE SWITCH MAY FAIL TO REDUCE OR OTHERWISE CONTROL THE FAN MOTOR SPEED.

Risk. THE SPEED CONTROLLER MAY OVERHEAT AND RESULT IN A THERMAL EVEN, SUCH AS SMOKING OR POSSIBLE FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DEFROSTER SPEED CONTROLLER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 20, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MOTOR COACH AT 1-800-241-2947.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel06V140000
Filed Apr 27, 20064,765 vehiclesMotor Coach Industries, Inc

Defect. ON CERTAIN MOTOR COACHES EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL SERIES 60 ENGINES, THE TURBOCHARGER COMPRESSORS CAN FAIL.

Risk. A FIRE CAN RESULT SHOULD THE TURBOCHARGER FAIL.

Remedy. DETROIT DIESEL IS CONDUCTING THIS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 06E019000) AND WILL REMEDY THESE MOTOR COACHES. THE ENGINES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DETROIT DIESEL AT 313-592-3708 OR MOTOR COACH AT 866-624-2622.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Feb 6, 2014WI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MCI E4500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V498000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHERE TO DIRECT THE CONTACT IN ORDER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.

1 of 1 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20140100Routine
20130300Routine
20120400Routine
20110900Routine
20100800Routine
20090800Routine
20080800Routine
20070800Routine
20060500Routine
20050700Routine
20040700Routine
2003 — this page1900Routine
20020700Routine
20011810Routine
20000400Routine
19990300Routine
19980200Routine
19970100Routine

Compare every E4500 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 10, 2025. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.