2012 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.
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.
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.
Service bulletins (19)
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.
Unknown Or Other 2024-11-05 · TSIB 24-03 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
information to owners showing the proper procedure for checking the oil level in a bitzer hvac compressor.
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
Service Brakes, Air:disc 2013-05-22 · SB-3080 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mci: information procedure outlining operational checks for park brake automatic actuation operation and primary brake system on certain coaches. models e4500 series, j4500 series. no model years listed. *pe
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 19 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.