The worst 2002 Mci 102EL3 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
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Recalls 3
Steering: hydraulic power assist system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 19V027000 · Recall details
Visibility: defroster/defogger/HVAC system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- The speed controller may overheat and result in a thermal even, such as smoking or possible fire.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 06V241000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel
- What is wrong
- On certain motor coaches equipped with detroit diesel series 60 engines, the turbocharger compressors can fail.
- Risk
- A fire can result should the turbocharger fail.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 06V140000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 2002 Mci 102EL3
Defect investigations
MCI Drive Shaft Safety Loop Failures
In the fall of 2011, network contacts made ODI aware of four (4) incidents of drive shaft failure on the subject buses involving a loss of vehicle control.Two of the incidents were relatively low speed non-crash events; and two resulted in motor coach rollovers.All four events showed signs of a common failure mode.The incidents and crashes studied during this investigation all resulted from a series of complex events that began with the the yoke journal ears on the drive shafts fracturing.Once the drive shaft failed. it was not adequately contained by a drive shaft safety loop or structure.The spinning and unrestrained drive shaft caused severe damage to components on the steerable tag axle at the rear of the vehicle and created a forced steering condition.Once the rear of the bus was being forcibly steered by the tag axle, the driver lost control of the vehicle.These conclusions are based on the forensics evidence and testing conducted by the Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC).The VRTC test report is attached to this closing resume that provides details on how the test center was able to conclusively identify the defective components on the buses and demonstrate the sequence of events that caused the buses to crash.Prior to the drive shaft failure events, there were no indications of improper maintenance or that maintenance was required that would have prevented the incidents.Additionally, the U-joints on the incident vehicles were found to be in good working condition at the time of the failure. Finally, records of driver interviews indicated a sudden onset of the failure with no warning.Following the VRTC testing, MCI issued recall 14V‑335 involving certain model year 1993-1995 102DL3 motor coaches manufactured November 1992 to January 1995, and 2006 and 2008 D4505 motor coaches manufactured June 2005 to April 2008.The affected buses are equipped with a drive shaft with a compressed length of 30 inches or less (allowing it to escape containment if it fails), a steerable trailing tag axle equipped with a system that changes the axle caster when the vehicle is in reverse travel and no electronic stability control (ESC).Recall 14V‑335 addresses the concerns of this investigation.The ODI report cited above can be viewed at www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference: ODI Number 10447575.
EA12007
Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Mci 102EL3 2
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
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Questions about the 2002 Mci 102EL3
Is the 2002 Mci 102EL3 reliable?
Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2002 Mci 102EL3.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Mci 102EL3?
There are not enough complaints to tell.
How many recalls does the 2002 Mci 102EL3 have?
3 recalls, covering steering, visibility and engine and engine cooling.
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