2003 Mci J4500 problems, complaints & recalls
Safety recalls (6)
Visibility:glass, Side/Rear 2025-12-10 · campaign 25V853000 · 15,454 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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 System 2019-01-07 · campaign 19V027000 · 2,089 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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 System 2013-10-17 · campaign 13V498000 · 10,016 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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) 2011-10-26 · campaign 11V524000 · 1,962 vehicles
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) SYSTE
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.
Fix: 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/Rear 2010-08-11 · campaign 10V373000 · 1,087 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer:motor 2010-04-06 · campaign 10V135000 · 1,261 vehicles
Defect: MCI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999-2001, 2007-2011 E4500 AND MODEL YEAR 2001-2011 J4500 COACHES EQUIPPED WITH DOGA WINDSHIELD MOTORS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL TO OPERATE PROPERLY WHILE THE WIPER SYSTEM IS FUNCTIONING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAY OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY, OPERATE AT A SINGLE SPEED ONLY, OR COMPLETELY STOP OPERATING.
Risk: IF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP FUNCTIONING, THE DRIVER'S CLEAR FIELD OF VIEW MAY BE REDUCED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL FURNISH THE PARTS AND LABOR REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT THE DOGA-RECOMMENDED REMEDIES ON THE AFFECTED COACHES. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MCI CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-241-2947.
Service bulletins (23)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2022-09-07 · TSIB 22-12 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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
Structure 2021-05-03 · TSIB 21-04 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service information bulletin issued as a reminder to customers of specifically equipped older motor coaches, who performed service bulletin 348 in conjunction with nhtsa recall 10v-373, to continue to inspect the se-gi side windows for de-bonding as indicated in the maintenance manual, and
Equipment 2020-03-18 · D20M4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Steering 2018-12-20 · SB 3118 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Wheels 2017-03-02 · SB 3101 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin informs affected customers that zf friedrichshafen ag has released a service information bulletin regarding checking axle hubs and wheel heads if an abs tell-tale lamp is activated during coach operation on mci j model coaches, and that immediate action is required in such even
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor 2017-03-01 · SB 3099 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin informs affected customers of the maintenance procedures for the torca accuseal clamp utilized on the connection between the after-treatment system (selective catalyst reduction device) and tailpipe; that the clamp is a one time usage clamp; and that a new clamp must be utiliz
Showing the 6 most recent of 23 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2017-04-29 · Unknown Or Other“coach side glass is bowing (changing shape) and de-bonding. all glass on coach says "si-gi", which is the defective glass subject to a recall (nhtsa recall #10v373000). contacted mci in 2015 after 1 of the pieces of glass actually almost fell out. mfgr refuses to honor warranty because they shipped replacement glass to the previous vehicle owner fo…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.