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2004 Mci E4500 problems

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
0
Recalls
7
Service bulletins
14

The worst 2004 Mci E4500 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

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Recalls 7

Visibility: glass, side/rearReported December 10, 2025 · 15,454 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 25V853000 · Recall details

Steering: hydraulic power assist systemReported January 7, 2019 · 2,089 vehicles affected
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

Electrical systemReported October 17, 2013 · 10,016 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 13V498000 · Recall details

Visibility: glass, side/rearReported August 11, 2010 · 1,087 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 10V373000 · Recall details

EquipmentReported November 21, 2008 · 1,893 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
When this happens, the shift selector may move into reverse without driver knowledge increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 08V603000 · Recall details

Visibility: defroster/defogger/HVAC systemReported July 6, 2006 · 1,768 vehicles affected
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: dieselReported April 27, 2006 · 4,765 vehicles affected
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 7 recalls for the 2004 Mci E4500

Defect investigations

MCI Drive Shaft Safety Loop FailuresOpened September 13, 2012, closed December 3, 2015

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 2004 Mci E4500 14

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 14 bulletins for the 2004 Mci E4500

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Other model years

20012003

Questions about the 2004 Mci E4500

Is the 2004 Mci E4500 reliable?

Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2004 Mci E4500.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Mci E4500?

There are not enough complaints to tell.

How many recalls does the 2004 Mci E4500 have?

7 recalls, covering visibility, steering and electrical system.

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