- The problem
- 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."
- The risk
- The incorrect window glazing material may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The 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.
Vehicle safety record
2003 Mci J4500 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2003 Mci J4500 with NHTSA, most often about the body, doors & structure (1). It is covered by 9 recalls, the latest in December 2025 for the door. For comparison, the 2002 has 0 and the 2004 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical J4500 year, for its age
#427 most complained-about 2003 vehicle
- Complaints
- 1
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2003 Mci J4500 problems
Share of all 1 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2003 Mci J4500 recalls 9
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash.
- The 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.
- The 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.
- The problem
- 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) system. This might cause the esc to perceive an over steering situation and therefore apply the outer wheel brake on the front axle until the vehicle is perceived to be stable.
- The 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.
- The 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If the windshield wipers stop functioning, the driver's clear field of view may be reduced increasing the risk of a crash.
- The 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.
- The problem
- Mci is recalling 1,893 my 2002-2008 d model and my 2001-2008 e and j4500 motor coaches equipped with zf transmissions. There is a potential for the shift selector to malfunction as a result of a cell phone or radio being placed in close proximity to the shifter control pad.
- The risk
- When this happens, the shift selector may move into reverse without driver knowledge increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Mci is working with zf and has created a software update that protects against the potential for transient analog or digital signal interference. The recall is expected to begin during november 2008. .Owners may contact mci at 1-800-333-0371 and zf at 1-734-416-6200.
- The problem
- On certain motor coaches equipped with a slide switch to control the defroster blower speed, there is a speed controller for each of the two defroster fan motors. The speed controller may fail causing the fan motor to operate continuously in the "high" speed mode, and the carrier slide switch may fail to reduce or otherwise control the fan motor speed.
- The risk
- The speed controller may overheat and result in a thermal even, such as smoking or possible fire.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the defroster speed controller free of charge. The recall began on july 20, 2006. Owners may contact motor coach at 1-800-241-2947.
- The problem
- On certain motor coaches equipped with detroit diesel series 60 engines, the turbocharger compressors can fail.
- The risk
- A FIRE CAN RESULT SHOULD THE TURBOCHARGER FAIL.
- The fix
- Detroit diesel is conducting this recall (please see 06e019000) and will remedy these motor coaches. The engines will be repaired free of charge. Owners may contact detroit diesel at 313-592-3708 or motor coach at 866-624-2622.
What owners say
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1 complaints about the 2003 Mci J4500
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
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 for them to install themselves. Defective si-gi glass still in the coach. Mfgr practice of shipping replacement glass to owners is a very bad idea. Mfgr does not actually...
Read the full complaint
verify that the work was completed. I'm sure 95% of owners never get around to installing it or just keep the glass as spares, so the recall is actually never completed. As temporary fix, we re-bonded the glass that was coming de-bonded, but it is becoming de-bonded again, since glass on the bus has bowed. We want mfgr to honor the recall, as it was never done, and glass is very bad.
Mci J4500: every year compared
All J4500 years2003 Mci J4500 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Mci J4500 | 1 | 9 | C | |
| 2003 Mci E4500 | 1 | 9 | D | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2003 Mci J4500
Does the 2003 Mci J4500 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2003 Mci J4500: door (December 2025); hydraulic power assist system (January 2019); electrical system (October 2013); electronic stability control (ESC) (October 2011) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mci J4500?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the body, doors & structure (1).
How many complaints has the 2003 Mci J4500 had?
1 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 29, 2017 and the latest on April 29, 2017. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2003 Mci J4500 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 49 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Mci J4500 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Mci J4500 years have the most complaints?
2003 (1), 2007 (1), 2012 (1). See every Mci J4500 year compared.
What should I do if my 2003 Mci J4500 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data