As I was trying to ease my way past another vehicle by using lite accelerator pressure to activate automatic clutch, the clutch suddenly engaged causing the bus to lurch forward. In doing so the spot mirror on the right side struck the back of the vehicle sitting next to me breaking the glass. This bus is equipped with a zf 12 speed transmission which I think is the problem. When moving in slow traffic the clutch kicks in and out automaticly when ever it feels like it. Several times it failed to kick out causing the bust to continue to move forward while foot was off throttle pedal. I nearly rear ended vehicles in front of me on several occasions. The other problem with this transmission is the slow response when begining to move. The automatic clutch needs to engage before bus will move. Many times this takes some time to happen making it necessary to hold up traffic before you have enough time to make your move. It also bogs down during the several shifts it makes which in itself could cause the car behind you to run into the back of the bus. I feel this transmission option is very dangerous when used in slow traffic situations.
The worst 2007 Mci J4500 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Transmission1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission1
Recalls 8
Visibility: glass, side/rear
- 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
Equipment adaptive/mobility: wheelchair lift/ramp
- What is wrong
- 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."
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 21V737000 · Recall details
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
Seat belts
- What is wrong
- Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 MCI E4500 and J4500 motor coaches manufactured November 21, 2006, to August 27, 2009, and equipped with certain Recaro Automotive Seating Ergo M bus driver seats. The affected seats were manufactured in a way that the tether bar may push into the retractor panel door and potentially interfere with the seat belt locking mechanism.
- Risk
- If the seat belt locking mechanism does not function as intended, the bus driver may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury in the event of a crash.
- Remedy
- MCI will notify owners , and dealers will inspect and retrofit the seats free of charge. The recall began on May 14, 2015. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1‑800‑241‑2947.
Recall number 15V183000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- 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
Electronic stability control (ESC)
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 11V524000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If the windshield wipers stop functioning, the driver's clear field of view may be reduced increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 10V135000 · Recall details
Equipment
- 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
Technical service bulletins for the 2007 Mci J4500 24
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- MCI has released Technical Service Information Bulletin (TSIB) 22-12 to address concerns with water...
- This Technical Service Information Bulletin (TSIB) describes an update from Meritor for the bolt torque...
- DDC Field service campaign for GHG17 Detroit DD13 engines requiring software reprogramming and new...
- This Service Bulletin informs affected owners of 1997-2013 E4500 and 2001-2015 J4500 model coaches...
- This Service Bulletin informs affected customers that ZF Friedrichshafen AG has released a Service...
- This Service Bulletin informs affected customers of the maintenance procedures for the Torca Accuseal...
- This Service Bulletin informs affected customers that MCI was notified by Shaw Development that the diesel...
- This Service Bulletin informs affected customers of the procedures to replace the existing 2007 EPA...
- Motor coach inc: drive axle suspension support structure may accumulate water causing support structure...
- Mci: on some coaches, due to an absence of washer, the fan clutch bracket bushing may walk out of bracket...
What 2007 Mci J4500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Compare the 2007 Mci J4500
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Questions about the 2007 Mci J4500
Is the 2007 Mci J4500 reliable?
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2007 Mci J4500, close to a typical J4500 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2007 Mci J4500?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 1 complaint.
How many recalls does the 2007 Mci J4500 have?
8 recalls, covering visibility, equipment adaptive/mobility and steering.
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