The Used Car Index

2012 MCI J4500 problems

NHTSA lists 1 complaints for the 2012 MCI J4500, 0 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 0 complaints mention an injury, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as MCI J4500.

At a glance

Complaints
1
With crash
0
With fire
0
With injury (complaints)
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Recalls
7
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
15,454
Investigations
0
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
57

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1100.0%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
noise or comfort1100.0%0.43
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate1100.0%0.99

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 1 tagged complaints of 1 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

7 recalls.

25V853000

Date: 2025-12-10. Systems: STRUCTURE, VISIBILITY.

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, (excerpt)

Consequence: The incorrect window glazing material may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V737000

Date: 2021-09-23. Systems: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY.

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, " (excerpt)

Consequence: 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. (excerpt)

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 RiconA s Recall Coordinator, at admin21e068@Wabtec.com or by locating the nearest Ricon servicing dealer using the locator on the Ricon website A www.riconcorp.com. Owners may als (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

19V027000

Date: 2019-01-07. Systems: STEERING.

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.

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V020000

Date: 2016-01-20. Systems: SEATS.

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, (excerpt)

Consequence: 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. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

14V172000

Date: 2014-04-04. Systems: SEAT BELTS, SEATS.

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.

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

12V135000

Date: 2012-03-30. Systems: VISIBILITY.

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.

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

11V524000

Date: 2011-10-26. Systems: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC).

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 CHARACTERIS (excerpt)

Consequence: 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. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

0 investigations; 0 open.

Manufacturer communications

57 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING15
ENGINE11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
EQUIPMENT8
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL3
POWER TRAIN3

11011092

Date: 2024-11-05. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

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

10222404

Date: 2022-09-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: 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

10213033

Date: 2022-05-03. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: 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.

10206198

Date: 2021-12-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: 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

10180805

Date: 2020-09-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: 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.

10180807

Date: 2020-09-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT.

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

10172528

Date: 2020-03-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EQUIPMENT.

DDC Field service campaign for GHG17 Detroit DD13 engines requiring software reprogramming and new emission label replacement. This field service applies only to MCI (Motor Coach Industries) vehicles.

10167381

Date: 2019-10-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

This Procedure outlines the steps to install a relief valve on the air compressor for coaches equipped with DD13 engines.

10165727

Date: 2019-09-30. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL.

This Procedure outlines the steps to replace the fuel overflow hose and clamp on the fuel tank on model year 2011-2020 J4500 model coaches.

10152973

Date: 2018-12-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STEERING.

This Service Bulletin informs affected owners of 1997-2013 E4500 and 2001-2015 J4500 model coaches equipped with Rear Axle Steering (RAS) system of the importance of maintaining tag axle caster, and provides the procedure to adjust the caster, if necessary.

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
J45001

Same model, other years

All model years | All MCI models

Other MCI models, 2012

Sources

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