Model year record

2021 MCI J3500

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. No owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 25V853000

Structure: body: door

Component
Structure: body: door
Manufacturer
Motor Coach Industries, Inc
Vehicles affected
15,454
Reported to NHTSA
2025-12-10
Owners notified
2026-02-04

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

The incorrect window glazing material may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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 campaignNHTSA 23V240000

Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack

Component
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack
Manufacturer
Motor Coach Industries
Vehicles affected
140
Reported to NHTSA
2023-04-05
Owners notified
2023-08-31

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

Obstructed rear lighting may reduce the visibility of the vehicle to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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 campaignNHTSA 21V748000

Electrical system

Component
Electrical system
Manufacturer
Motor Coach Industries
Vehicles affected
2,455
Reported to NHTSA
2021-09-24
Owners notified
2021-11-24

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

MDP circuit board failure can result in a fire or an unexpected vehicle shutdown, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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 campaignNHTSA 21V364000

Fuel system, diesel: fuel injection system: fuel rail

Component
Fuel system, diesel: fuel injection system: fuel rail
Manufacturer
Motor Coach Industries
Vehicles affected
1,845
Reported to NHTSA
2021-05-18
Owners notified
2021-06-28

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

No complaints recorded for this model year.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.