TSB: MCI E4500, J4500 (1999–2012)

Bulletin SB-390 — September 21, 2012

Bulletin Details

Bulletin IDSB-390
ManufacturerMCI
ModelsE4500, J4500
Model Years1999–2012
Date IssuedSeptember 21, 2012
Date Added to NHTSASeptember 19, 2012
ComponentSTRUCTURE
Vehicles Affected60 combinations

What is a TSB?

A Technical Service Bulletin is a document issued by the vehicle manufacturer to inform dealership technicians about a known issue and the recommended repair procedure. TSBs are not mandatory recalls — they serve as repair guidance for common problems.

If your vehicle has this issue, bring this bulletin ID to your dealer. If under warranty, the repair should be covered at no cost.

Summary

MOTOR COACH INC: DRIVE AXLE SUSPENSION SUPPORT STRUCTURE MAY ACCUMULATE WATER CAUSING SUPPORT STRUCTURE DAMAGE DUE TO EXPANSION, IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES, WHILE COACH IS BEING OPERATED. MODELS E4500, J4500. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED.

Affected Vehicles

MakeModelYearComponent
MCI E4500 2012 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI E4500 2012 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI J4500 2012 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI J4500 2012 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI E4500 2011 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI E4500 2011 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI J4500 2011 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI J4500 2011 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI E4500 2010 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI E4500 2010 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI J4500 2010 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI J4500 2010 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI E4500 2009 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI E4500 2009 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI J4500 2009 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI J4500 2009 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI E4500 2008 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI E4500 2008 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI J4500 2008 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI J4500 2008 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI E4500 2007 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI E4500 2007 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI J4500 2007 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI J4500 2007 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI E4500 2006 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI E4500 2006 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI J4500 2006 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI J4500 2006 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI E4500 2005 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI E4500 2005 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI J4500 2005 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI J4500 2005 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI E4500 2004 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI E4500 2004 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI J4500 2004 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI J4500 2004 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI E4500 2003 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI E4500 2003 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI J4500 2003 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI J4500 2003 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI E4500 2002 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI E4500 2002 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI J4500 2002 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI J4500 2002 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI E4500 2001 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI E4500 2001 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI J4500 2001 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI J4500 2001 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI E4500 2000 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI E4500 2000 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI J4500 2000 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI J4500 2000 160000 STRUCTURE
MCI E4500 1999 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MCI E4500 1999 160000 STRUCTURE

Related MCI Recalls

CampaignModelYearComponentSummary
E4500 1998 VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 102DL3, 102D3, MC12PTV, E45...
D4500 2006 VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 102DL3, 102D3, MC12PTV, E45...
D4500 2005 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 102DL3, 102D3, MC12PTV, E45...
D4500 2004 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 102DL3, 102D3, MC12PTV, E45...
D4500 2003 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 102DL3, 102D3, MC12PTV, E45...

What Should You Do?

If your vehicle is affected by this TSB, contact your authorized MCI dealer. Bring this bulletin ID (SB-390) when you visit. If under warranty, the repair should be free. If your warranty has expired, ask about goodwill coverage — manufacturers sometimes cover TSB-related repairs beyond the warranty period.

Frequently Asked Questions

A recall is a mandatory safety fix — the manufacturer must repair every affected vehicle for free. A TSB is an advisory document that describes a known issue and the recommended fix, but repairs are not required. However, some TSBs eventually lead to recalls if the issue poses a safety risk. TSBs are generally issued for quality or performance problems, while recalls address safety defects.

If your vehicle is still under the manufacturer's warranty, TSB-related repairs are typically covered at no cost. If your warranty has expired, you can ask the dealer about goodwill or customer assistance programs. Many manufacturers will cover or partially cover repairs for well-known issues, especially if the TSB was issued recently or affects a large number of vehicles.

Check the make, model, and model year listed above against your vehicle. If they match, this bulletin likely applies. However, TSBs may only affect vehicles with specific production dates, VIN ranges, or configurations. Your dealer can confirm by entering your VIN into their service system, which will show all applicable TSBs and recalls.

This data comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Manufacturers are required to submit copies of all communications (including TSBs) sent to their dealers to NHTSA. The agency makes this data publicly available as part of its vehicle safety monitoring program.