Recall 15V183 covers 21 2007-2010 Mci E4500 and J4500 motor coaches for seat belt locking interference. Repair is free at any franchised Mci dealer.
Mci is recalling 21 2007-2010 J4500 and E4500 motor coaches because certain Recaro driver seats can let the tether bar interfere with the seat belt locking mechanism. If the belt does not lock as intended, the driver is not properly restrained in a crash; the dealer repair will be free once Mci makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The affected Recaro Ergo M driver seat in 2007-2010 Mci E4500 and J4500 motor coaches includes the driver's seat belt retractor. The retractor lets the belt pull out and wind back in, then locks the belt when the coach stops hard or the belt is pulled sharply. That lock is what keeps the driver restrained when the seat belt is under sudden load.
On these coaches, the seat was built so the tether bar can press into the retractor panel door. That contact can interfere with the seat belt locking mechanism. If the retractor does not lock as designed, the belt does not provide the same restraint for the driver during a hard stop or crash.
There is no warning sign before failure. The belt can look normal during routine use, so the VIN and seat equipment decide whether this recall applies.
Who's affected?
Covers both J4500 and E4500 buses across the 2007-2010 model years, all tied to the seat belt component.
| 2007 Mci J4500 | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2008 Mci J4500 | seat belt |
| 2007 Mci E4500 | seat belt |
| 2008 Mci E4500 | seat belt |
| 2009 Mci J4500 | seat belt |
| 2009 Mci E4500 | seat belt |
| 2010 Mci E4500 | seat belt |
| 2010 Mci J4500 | seat belt |
| Units affected | 21 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
A seat belt locking mechanism that fails to work as intended leaves the bus driver improperly restrained and increases injury risk in a crash. No warning sign is reported before the locking problem, so confirm whether the VIN is included and schedule the inspection and retrofit. Repair will be free at any franchised Mci dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2007-2010 Mci J4500 or E4500 is included in this recall.
- Use the Mci owner notice mailed on May 14, 2015 when you contact the dealer.
- Reference recall number 15V183 when you call a franchised Mci dealer.
- Schedule the free seat inspection and retrofit that fixes interference with the seat belt locking mechanism.
- Bring the coach in for service before putting it back into regular passenger operation.
What happens at the repair
The listed repair is an inspection and retrofit of the Recaro Ergo M driver seat. At the dealer, an Mci technician will inspect the seat and retrofit it so the tether bar does not interfere with the seat belt retractor panel door or locking mechanism. The dealer repair will be free once available. If your coach is included, use the recall campaign number when you contact the service desk so the visit is tied to the correct seat repair.
Timeline
| March 30, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 14, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V183?
Recall 15V183 covers 21 2007-2010 Mci J4500 and E4500 motor coaches equipped with certain Recaro Ergo M driver seats. The seat tether bar can interfere with the seat belt locking mechanism, and Mci dealers will inspect and retrofit the seats for free.
What should I do if my 2007-2010 Mci J4500 or E4500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific coach is included in recall 15V183. If it is, contact a franchised Mci dealer to schedule the seat inspection and retrofit. Reference recall number 15V183000 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Mci dealers will inspect and retrofit the driver seat free of charge. The recall repair began on May 14, 2015.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is that the driver seat belt locking mechanism can fail to work as intended. In a crash, the bus driver can be improperly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury. Confirm the VIN and arrange the free dealer retrofit.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V183000 |
|---|---|
| Mci customer service | 1-800-241-2947 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V183 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V183000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →