2012 Mci J4500

Routine

Owners filed 1 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It has been recalled 7 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling1
000

7 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.

Equipment Adaptive/Mobility › Wheelchair Lift/Ramp21V737000
Filed Sep 23, 2021510 vehiclesMotor Coach Industries

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."

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.

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.

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.

Seats16V020000
Filed Jan 20, 2016607 vehiclesMotor Coach Industries

Defect. Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 and 2015 J4500 coaches manufactured November 18, 2011, to July 10, 2015, 2011-2012 and 2014-2015 D4000 coaches manufactured manufactured September 24, 2010, to September 5, 2015, 2011-2013 and 2015-2016 D4005 coaches manufactured January 17, 2011, to November 23, 2015, 2012-2014 and 2016 D4000ISTV coaches manufactured July 18, 2012, to December 2, 2015, 2010-2016 D4500 coaches manufactured April 15, 2010, to December 18, 2015 and 2011-2016 D4505 coaches manufactured December 15, 2010, to December 4, 2015. The affected buses are equipped with certain Recaro Ergo-M Commercial Bus Driver Seats that have J-Brackets that may be missing welds which could allow the seat belt anchorage assembly to separate from the J-Bracket.

Risk. If the seatbelt anchorage assembly separates from the J-Bracket, the bus driver may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy. MCI will notify owners and dealers will inspect the seats and determined if welds are missing. Any J-Bracket that is missing welds will be removed and replaced, free of charge. The recall began on February 15, 2016. Owners may contact MCI at 1-800-241-2947. MCI's number for this recall is SB 431.

Seats14V172000
Filed Apr 4, 2014957 vehiclesMotor Coach Industries

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.

Risk. In the event of a crash, the seat may detach from its floor mounting, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.

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.

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear12V135000
Filed Mar 30, 2012615 vehiclesMotor Coach Industries, Inc

Defect. MOTOR COACH INDUSTRIES, INC (MCI) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 J MOTOR COACHES. DUE TO INADEQUATE BONDING, THE TRANSOM WINDOWS (THE REAR-MOST WINDOWS ON EACH SIDE), MAY DETACH FROM THE COACH.

Risk. A TRANSOM WINDOW MAY DETACH WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy. MCI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSTALL MECHANICAL RETENTION CLIPS ON THE TRANSOM WINDOWS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 5, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MCI AT 1-800-241-2947.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 31, 2013TX

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

1 of 1 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2012
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20260100Routine
20250100Routine
20210500Routine
20200900Routine
201901200Routine
201801300Routine
20170800Routine
20160700Routine
201501000Routine
201401000Routine
20130700Routine
2012 — this page1700Routine
201101300Routine
201001100Routine
200901100Routine
200801000Routine
20071800Routine
20060800Routine
20050900Routine
20040800Routine
20031900Routine
20020700Routine
20010800Routine

Compare every J4500 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.