Check a VIN

2020 Mci J4500 problems

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
0
Recalls
9
Service bulletins
47

The worst 2020 Mci J4500 problems

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

Problems by type

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

Recalls 9

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: mechanical: carrier/rackReported April 5, 2023 · 140 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2019-2021 D45CRTLE, J3500, and J4500 coaches, equipped with a rear-mounted bike rack. The vehicle's rear lighting may be obstructed when bikes are installed on the bike rack. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk
Obstructed rear lighting may reduce the visibility of the vehicle to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
MCI will provide instructions and a kit to add lighting to the rear-mounted bike rack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 31, 2023. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1‑800‑241‑2947.

Recall number 23V240000 · Recall details

Fuel system, diesel: fuel injection system: fuel railReported December 15, 2021 · 1,125 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2019-2022 D4000 ISTV, D4500, 2021 D4000, D4520, 2020-2021 D4505, D4005, 2020-2022 D45CRTLE, and 2019-2021 J4500 vehicles equipped with certain Cummins X12 diesel engines. The fuel tubes between the fuel rail and the injectors for cylinders four, five, and six may fatigue and crack, which can result in a high pressure fuel leak.
Risk
A high pressure fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
On engines with 75 miles or less, Cummins dealers will install vibration isolators to the fuel tubes. Engines with more than 75 miles will receive new fuel tubes with vibration isolators. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 11, 2022. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1‑800‑241‑2947. MCI's number for this recall is R21-028.

Recall number 21V971000 · Recall details

Electrical systemReported September 24, 2021 · 2,455 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2018 D4000, 2018-2020 D4005, D4000ISTV, 2017-2020 D4500, D4505, 2018-2021 J3500, 2017-2021 J4500, 2020 D4520, and 2018-2021 D45CRTLE motorcoaches. The Main Distribution Panel (MDP) located within the battery compartment contains a circuit board that may fail.
Risk
MDP circuit board failure can result in a fire or an unexpected vehicle shutdown, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
MCI Service Centers will remove the MDP and install a new main disconnect and circuit breaker panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 12, 2021. Owners may contact MCI's customer service at 1‑800‑241‑2947. MCI's number for this recall is R21-010.

Recall number 21V748000 · Recall details

Fuel system, diesel: fuel injection system: fuel railReported May 18, 2021 · 1,845 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2017-2018 D4000, 2017-2019 D4005, D4000ISTV, D4505, 2017-2020 D4500, J4500, 2018-2020 D45CRTLE, and 2018-2021 J3500 vehicles. The sealing washer may not seat correctly in the pilot bore holes, allowing the high pressure fuel rail assembly to leak.
Risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the rail threads, and replace the rail as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 28, 2021. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1‑800‑241‑2947. MCI's number for this recall is R21-009.

Recall number 21V364000 · Recall details

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery: cablesReported February 10, 2021 · 1,229 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2018-2021 J4500 and 2018-2020 D45CRTLE vehicles. The power cables may have been improperly installed and routed in the vehicle battery compartment, which may result in chafing.
Risk
The power cables may chafe, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
MCI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary, correct the clearance for the power cables in the battery compartment, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1‑800‑241‑2947. MCI's number for this recall is R21-003.

Recall number 21V063000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittingsReported August 31, 2020 · 1,561 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2017-2020 J4500 motor coaches. The coolant hose may fail, resulting in a low coolant warning followed by an engine shut down sequence, as well as the potential for engine coolant spilling on the roadway.
Risk
The spilled coolant may increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, transferring passengers from the disabled bus can increase their risk of injury.
Remedy
MCI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the coolant hose, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1‑800‑241‑2947. MCI's number for this recall is SB 486.

Recall number 20V526000 · Recall details

Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulatorReported June 12, 2020 · 1,067 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2018-2020 D4000, D4005, D4500, D4505 and D45CRTLE buses manufactured with electric cooling fans (E-fan) for the radiator and charge air cooler, Borg Warner 55SI model dual alternator configuration (with a sense stud and wire), and Parker Vansco Multiplexing Module (VMM) Multiplex system. A build-up of debris, corrosion, and/or water flow could cause a high resistance path to ground for the sense stud on the back of the alternator and cause the alternator to produce excessive voltage output, which may exceed the threshold limit currently programmed in the VMM and result in a loss of engine power and vehicle shutdown.
Risk
If the engine shuts down or loses power while the vehicle is in motion, this may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
MCI will notify the affected owners, and dealers will install a new application code in the Parker VMM multiplex modules increasing the overvoltage threshold limit, free of charge. The recall began July 23, 2020. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1‑800‑241‑2947. MCI's number for this recall is SB 479.

Recall number 20V352000 · Recall details

Seat beltsReported April 29, 2020 · 641 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2015-2016 D4000, 2015-2020 D4500 and D4505, 2016-2020 J4500, 2018 J3500, and 2017 D4005 buses. The seat belts may not extend from the retracted position, rendering the seat belt unusable. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," and number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Risk
Inability to use the seat belt may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy
MCI will notify the affected owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the seat belts, as necessary, free of charge. MCI issued owners an interim notification June 26, 2020. The recall began January 13, 2021. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1‑800‑241‑2947. MCI's number for this recall is SB 482.

Recall number 20V242000 · Recall details

See all 9 recalls for the 2020 Mci J4500

Defect investigations

Supply and return heater hose ruptureOpened March 13, 2020, closed September 21, 2020

By letter dated August 31, 2020, Motor Coach Industries (MCI) notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of a safety defect that may exist in certain model year (MY) 2017-2020 J4500 vehicles. An ODI review of Early Warning Reporting (EWR) submissions by MCI, on MY 2017-2019 J4500 buses, identified ruptured heater hoses on multiple motor coaches leading to the vehicles becoming disabled. ODI communications with fleets found that a low coolant level light with an audible warning would provide notice to the bus driver to pull off the roadway before the bus shut down to prevent catastrophic engine damage. According to the fleets interviewed, there is not sufficient time between the warning and the engine shutting down to allow the driver to pull to a safe location. Multiple reports/interviews describe buses requiring passenger transfer to a second bus at roadside. Analysis of data provided by MCI in response to an ODI Information Request (IR) letter showed an elevated frequency of heater hose ruptures. The heater hoses may fail, resulting in a low coolant warning followed by an engine shut down sequence, as well as the potential for engine coolant spilling on the roadway. Following discussions with ODI about the elevated failure rates on the heater hoses, MCI decided to conduct safety recall 20V‑526.With recall action 20V‑526 taken by MCI, this investigation is closed. Further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist on other model or MY vehicles outside of the recall scope. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference Using the following identification number: 10168841

PE20001

Technical service bulletins for the 2020 Mci J4500 47

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

See all 47 bulletins for the 2020 Mci J4500

Compare the 2020 Mci J4500

Other model years

200320072012

Questions about the 2020 Mci J4500

Is the 2020 Mci J4500 reliable?

Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2020 Mci J4500.

What is the most common problem with the 2020 Mci J4500?

There are not enough complaints to tell.

How many recalls does the 2020 Mci J4500 have?

9 recalls, covering visibility, equipment and fuel system, diesel.

Share your experience with the 2020 Mci J4500

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2020 Mci J4500?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN