Recall 12V135 affects 615 2009-2012 Mci J4500 motor coaches because transom windows can detach. Repair is free at any franchised Mci dealer.
Mci is recalling 615 2009-2012 J4500 motor coaches because inadequate bonding can let the transom windows, the rear-most side windows, detach from the coach. A window separating without warning increases the risk of injury or property damage, and the Mci dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The transom windows on 2009-2012 Mci J4500 motor coaches are the rear-most side windows on each side of the coach. They close the rear side opening and are bonded to the coach body, so the glass stays fixed while the coach is in service.
On affected coaches, that bond is inadequate. The glass is not held to the body with the strength the design requires, so the window can detach from the coach. The problem is with the attachment of the rear side glass, not with how the driver operates the vehicle.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or driver should not rely on noise, a visible gap, or a dashboard alert to show that the window bond has weakened.
Who's affected?
Spans four model years of the J4500, all tied to the same side or rear glass visibility component.
| 2009 Mci J4500 | visibility component |
|---|---|
| 2010 Mci J4500 | visibility component |
| 2011 Mci J4500 | visibility component |
| 2012 Mci J4500 | visibility component |
| Units affected | 615 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
A transom window can detach without warning, creating a risk of personal injury or property damage. There is no warning sign before detachment, so keep passengers away from any loose or rattling transom window and arrange dealer service promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised Mci dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2012 Mci J4500 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mci dealer to ask about the free transom-window retention-clip repair.
- Bring the Mci owner notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 12V135 when you call.
- Inspect the rear-most side windows before each trip and keep passengers clear of loose glass if a window shows movement.
- Ask Mci customer service at 1-800-241-2947 if the dealer needs help confirming the repair path.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mci technician installs mechanical retention clips on the transom windows, the rear-most windows on each side of the coach. Those clips add a physical backup to the window bond so the glass is held in place if the bonding is inadequate. The remedy described by Mci is free of charge. Because the recall record does not give a separate reimbursement plan, keep the focus on getting the transom-window clip installation completed through the dealer process.
Timeline
| March 30, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 5, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V135?
Recall 12V135 covers 615 2009-2012 Mci J4500 coaches with transom windows, the rear-most side windows, that can detach because the bonding is inadequate. A detached window increases the risk of personal injury or property damage. Mci dealers install mechanical retention clips for free.
What should I do if my 2009-2012 Mci J4500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific coach is included in recall 12V135. If it is, contact a franchised Mci dealer and ask for the transom window retention clip repair. Reference recall number 12V135 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. Mci's recall remedy says dealers install mechanical retention clips on the transom windows free of charge.
What warning signs should I watch for?
There is no warning sign before the transom window detaches. The defect involves inadequate bonding at the rear-most side windows, so treat VIN confirmation and the dealer retention clip repair as the practical safety steps.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V135000 |
|---|---|
| Mci customer service | 1-800-241-2947 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V135 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V135000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →