2005 Mci E4500 problems, complaints & recalls
Safety recalls (4)
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.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility:wheelchair Lift/Ramp 2021-09-23 · campaign 21V737000 · 510 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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 admin21e068@Wabtec.com 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 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.
Service bulletins (14)
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.
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
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.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2012-12-21 · SB 3077 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin informs affected customers that mci was notified by shaw development that the diesel exhaust fluid (def) tank cap requires routine cleaning to prevent the potential for crystallization build up at the vent, which may result in potential vacuum issues which could result in colla
Structure:frame And Members 2012-09-21 · SB-390 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
motor coach inc: drive axle suspension support structure may accumulate water causing support structure damage due to expansion, in freezing temperatures, while coach is being operated. models e4500, j4500. no model years listed. *pe updated 12/10/12. *pe
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2011-12-14 · SB-367 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
motor coach industries: on some coaches, water may migrate onto/into the transmission and/or the fill tube, through the breather vent that is located on top of transmission. no model years listed. *pe
Unknown Or Other 2011-04-25 · SB-357 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
motor coach indudstries: information on replacing the coolant pump that may have a problem. *rm
Showing the 6 most recent of 14 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
No detailed complaint narratives on file.
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.