- 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
2012 Mci J4500 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2012 Mci J4500 with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (1). It is covered by 7 recalls, the latest in December 2025 for the door. For comparison, the 2011 has 0 and the 2013 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical J4500 year, for its age
#360 most complained-about 2012 vehicle
- Complaints
- 1
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2012 Mci J4500 problems
Share of all 1 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2012 Mci J4500 recalls 7
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 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."
- The 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.
- The 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 Ricons Recall Coordinator, at [email protected] 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.
- 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 2011-2013 and 2015 J4500 coaches manufactured November 18, 2011, to July 10, 2015, 2011-2012 and 2014-2015 D4000 coaches manufactured manufactured September 24, 2010, to September 5, 2015, 2011-2013 and 2015-2016 D4005 coaches manufactured January 17, 2011, to November 23, 2015, 2012-2014 and 2016 D4000ISTV coaches manufactured July 18, 2012, to December 2, 2015, 2010-2016 D4500 coaches manufactured April 15, 2010, to December 18, 2015 and 2011-2016 D4505 coaches manufactured December 15, 2010, to December 4, 2015. The affected buses are equipped with certain Recaro Ergo-M Commercial Bus Driver Seats that have J-Brackets that may be missing welds which could allow the seat belt anchorage assembly to separate from the J-Bracket.
- The risk
- If the seatbelt anchorage assembly separates from the J-Bracket, the bus driver may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash increasing their risk of injury.
- The fix
- MCI will notify owners and dealers will inspect the seats and determined if welds are missing. Any J-Bracket that is missing welds will be removed and replaced, free of charge. The recall began on February 15, 2016. Owners may contact MCI at 1-800-241-2947. MCI's number for this recall is SB 431.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- In the event of a crash, the seat may detach from its floor mounting, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
- The 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.
- The problem
- Motor coach industries, inc (mci) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 j motor coaches. Due to inadequate bonding, the transom windows (the rear-most windows on each side), may detach from the coach.
- The risk
- A transom window may detach without warning, increasing the risk of personal injury or property damage.
- The fix
- Mci will notify owners, and dealers will install mechanical retention clips on the transom windows, free of charge. The safety recall began on june 5, 2012. Owners may contact mci at 1-800-241-2947.
- 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.
What owners say
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1 complaints about the 2012 Mci J4500
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
This problem exists on at least 4 out of 10, mci motor-coaches manufactured from 2006 to 2013. The problem has not been reported nor investigated because it remains un-detected during routine maintenance, computer diagnostics or by any company mechanics. The issue only becomes apparent after several hours of continuous driving a (minimum of 400 miles ) mci passenger motor-coach. No facility or mechanic will drive the vehicle for the extended amount of time to detect the problem. There is also no...
Read the full complaint
equipment/monitor available to monitor or evaluate the air quality in the driver cabin area. The driver area begins to smell of antifreeze vapors/toxic fumes that have escaped into the driver cockpit. There is no obvious leaks of any coolant/antifreeze in the driver area and the driver ac/heater core appears to have no leaks yet the toxic fumes/vapors are seeping into the driver cabin. The drivers are forced to cope with continuous exposure of the dangerous fumes/vapors that not only affect the entire environment and air quality but the health of the driver and possibly the general public/passengers. *Tr
Mci J4500: every year compared
All J4500 yearsQuestions about the 2012 Mci J4500
Does the 2012 Mci J4500 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2012 Mci J4500: door (December 2025); wheelchair lift / ramp (September 2021); hydraulic power assist system (January 2019); seats (January 2016) 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 2012 Mci J4500?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (1).
How many complaints has the 2012 Mci J4500 had?
1 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on May 31, 2013 and the latest on May 31, 2013. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2012 Mci J4500 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 58 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 2012 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