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2012 Mci J4500 problems

The most common problem on the 2012 Mci J4500 is engine and cooling. Its complaint count is close to a typical J4500 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
1
Recalls
7
Service bulletins
57
Worst area
Engine

The worst 2012 Mci J4500 problems

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

  • Engine
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    1

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

Equipment adaptive/mobility: wheelchair lift/rampReported September 23, 2021 · 510 vehicles affected
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 Ricon’s 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 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

SeatsReported January 20, 2016 · 607 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 16V020000 · Recall details

SeatsReported April 4, 2014 · 957 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
In the event of a crash, the seat may detach from its floor mounting, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 14V172000 · Recall details

Visibility: glass, side/rearReported March 30, 2012 · 615 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
A transom window may detach without warning, increasing the risk of personal injury or property damage.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 12V135000 · Recall details

Electronic stability control (ESC)Reported October 26, 2011 · 1,962 vehicles affected
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

See all 7 recalls for the 2012 Mci J4500

Technical service bulletins for the 2012 Mci J4500 57

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

See all 57 bulletins for the 2012 Mci J4500

What 2012 Mci J4500 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 31, 2013 · Engine · TX

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 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.

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Other model years

200320072012

Questions about the 2012 Mci J4500

Is the 2012 Mci J4500 reliable?

Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2012 Mci J4500, close to a typical J4500 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2012 Mci J4500?

Engine and cooling, with 1 complaint.

How many recalls does the 2012 Mci J4500 have?

7 recalls, covering visibility, equipment adaptive/mobility and steering.

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