2011 Mci E4500 problems, complaints & recalls
Safety recalls (9)
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.
Seats 2014-04-04 · campaign 14V172000 · 957 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2011-08-31 · campaign 11V457000 · 10 vehicles
Defect: MOTOR COACH INDUSTRIES, INC. (MCI) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 E4500 AND J4500 MOTOR COACHES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 2010 THROUGH JANUARY 2011, EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS ISX 11.9 DIESEL ENGINE. THE V-BAND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, PART NUMBERS Q187684, Q187685, AND Q187686, USED TO CONNECT THE INLET AND OUTLET CONE SECTIONS TO THE DIESEL OXIDATION CATALYST (DOC)/DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) INCLUDE A T-BOLT WHICH CAN FRACTURE AND FAIL WHEN SUBJECTED TO STRESS OR LOAD. A FRACTURE OR FAILURE
Risk: IF THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS DISCONNECT, HOT EXHAUST GASES CAN VENT PRIOR TO EXITING THE TAILPIPE, CREATING THE RISK OF COMBUSTION AND A FIRE. IF BOTH CLAMPS FAIL, THERE IS A RISK IN SOME APPLICATIONS THAT THE DOC/DPF HOUSING MAY DETACH COMPLETELY, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD.
Fix: MCI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED CUMMINS DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MCI AT 1-800-241-2947 OR CUMMINS AT 1-812-377-5000 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Visibility:rear Window Wiper/Washer:motor 2011-07-27 · campaign 11V379000 · 300 vehicles
Defect: MCI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 MCI E4500, AND J4500, MOTOR COACHES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2010 THROUGH JULY 2011, EQUIPPED WITH A DOGA WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. AN UNDERRATED FUSE MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY, WHICH COULD BLOW, RESULTING IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT OPERATING.
Risk: THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY MAY BE REDUCED, WHICH IN TURN COULD RESULT IN A CRASH OR OTHERWISE CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUSE AND REPLACE ANY UNDERRATED FUSES THAT MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 3, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MCI CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-241-2947.
Visibility:rear Window Wiper/Washer:motor 2011-03-01 · campaign 11V150000 · 144 vehicles
Defect: MCI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 MCI J4500, E4500, AND J4500C MOTOR COACHES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 1, 2010 THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2011, AND EQUIPPED WITH DOGA WINDSHIELD WIPERS. CERTAIN WIRES MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED BY MCI AT THE FACTORY WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILING TO OPERATE.
Risk: THE DRIVER'S FIELD OF VIEW MAY BE REDUCED, WHICH IN TURN COULD RESULT IN A CRASH OR OTHERWISE CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND CONNECT ANY WIRES THAT WERE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 14, 2011. 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 (17)
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2021-12-14 · TSIB 21-01 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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
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.
Engine 2013-06-18 · SB 396 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin informs customers that mci was notified by cummins inc. that it has released campaign c1344 that addresses a calibration change, which cummins advises will improve the engine and aftertreatment reliability on cummins isx engines in model year 2011-2013 mci d model coaches, mode
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
Engine 2012-12-07 · SB 393 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin informs affected customers that mci was notified by cummins inc. that it has issued campaign c1241 that addresses a calibration issue, which results in the engine brakes being energized with 24 volts rather than the required 12 volts on cummins isx engines in model year 2011-20
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2012-11-13 · SB 3074 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin informs affected customers of the procedures to replace the existing 2007 epa cummins engine harness p-clip, in the event that loom damage or chafing has occurred on model year 2008-2011 mci e4500 model coaches and model year 2007-2011 mci j4500 model coaches, and that mci has
Showing the 6 most recent of 17 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.