Recall 16V020 affects 607 2010-2016 Mci coaches with Recaro driver-seat brackets missing welds. Repair is free at any franchised Mci dealer.
Mci is recalling 607 2010-2016 coaches, including D4000, D4500, and J4500 models, because certain Recaro driver seat J-Brackets are missing welds. If the seat belt anchorage separates from the bracket, the driver is not properly restrained in a crash, and Mci dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The affected 2010-2016 Mci D4000, D4500, J4500, D4505, D4000ISTV, and D4005 coaches use Recaro Ergo-M commercial bus driver seats. In that seat, the J-Bracket is part of the structure that holds the seat belt anchorage assembly in place. When the driver is belted, that bracket is supposed to keep the belt attachment tied securely to the seat frame.
On these coaches, the J-Bracket on certain driver seats was built with missing welds. Johnson Controls reported that a component supplier changed from the welding control plan without approval. With too few welds, the bracket does not have the intended attachment strength, and the seat belt anchorage assembly can separate from the J-Bracket when the belt is loaded.
There is no warning sign before failure. The seat can look normal, and the driver is not expected to hear, feel, or see a clear symptom before the anchorage problem shows up.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2010-2016 model years across D4000, D4500, J4500, D4505, D4000ISTV, and D4005 buses, all tied to the seat assembly.
| 2012 Mci D4000 | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2011 Mci D4000 | seat assembly |
| 2015 Mci D4500 | seat assembly |
| 2014 Mci D4500 | seat assembly |
| 2010 Mci D4500 | seat assembly |
| 2011 Mci J4500 | seat assembly |
| 2011 Mci D4500 | seat assembly |
| 2011 Mci D4505 | seat assembly |
| 2012 Mci D4505 | seat assembly |
| 2012 Mci D4500 | seat assembly |
| 2012 Mci D4000ISTV | seat assembly |
| 2012 Mci J4500 | seat assembly |
| 2011 Mci D4005 | seat assembly |
| 2012 Mci D4005 | seat assembly |
| 2013 Mci D4000ISTV | seat assembly |
| 2013 Mci D4005 | seat assembly |
| 2013 Mci D4500 | seat assembly |
| 2013 Mci D4505 | seat assembly |
| 2013 Mci J4500 | seat assembly |
| 2014 Mci D4000 | seat assembly |
| 2014 Mci D4000ISTV | seat assembly |
| 2014 Mci D4505 | seat assembly |
| 2015 Mci J4500 | seat assembly |
| 2015 Mci D4005 | seat assembly |
| 2015 Mci D4505 | seat assembly |
| 2015 Mci D4000 | seat assembly |
| 2016 Mci D4000ISTV | seat assembly |
| 2016 Mci D4005 | seat assembly |
| 2016 Mci D4500 | seat assembly |
| 2016 Mci D4505 | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 607 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the seatbelt anchorage separates from the J-Bracket, the driver is not properly restrained in a crash, increasing injury risk. There is no reported warning sign before separation, so schedule the inspection and free replacement if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised Mci dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2016 Mci D4000, D4500, J4500, D4505, D4000ISTV, or D4005 coach is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mci dealer to schedule the free driver-seat inspection and J-Bracket replacement that secures the seat belt anchorage.
- Bring the recall notice if Mci mailed one. Reference recall number 16V020 when you call.
- Ask the dealer whether the coach should stay out of service until the driver-seat inspection is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Mci technician inspects the affected driver seats to confirm whether welds are missing on the J-Brackets. Any J-Bracket with missing welds is removed and replaced. The inspection, replacement parts, and labor are free under the recall. Mci has a general reimbursement plan on file, so documented out-of-pocket repairs tied to this seat bracket issue are handled through that plan. Bring repair paperwork to the service desk and ask how Mci processes eligible reimbursement claims.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 20, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 2, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| February 2, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 2, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 2, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| February 15, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V020?
Recall 16V020 covers 607 2010-2016 Mci D4000, D4500, J4500, D4505, D4000ISTV, and D4005 coaches equipped with Recaro Ergo-M Commercial Bus Driver Seats. The inspection checks the seat J-Bracket welds because missing welds can let the seat belt anchorage assembly separate. Mci dealers replace affected J-Brackets for free.
What should I do if my 2010-2016 Mci D4000, D4500, J4500, D4505, D4000ISTV, or D4005 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific coach is included in recall 16V020. If it is, contact a franchised Mci dealer to schedule the driver-seat inspection. Reference recall number 16V020 or Mci service bulletin SB 431 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, and Mci dealers will inspect the Recaro driver seat and replace any J-Bracket with missing welds free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included coaches.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is driver restraint failure in a crash. If the seat belt anchorage assembly separates from the J-Bracket, the bus driver is not properly restrained, increasing injury risk. The free dealer repair checks the welds and replaces any affected J-Bracket.
When did recall 16V020 begin?
Mci began the recall on February 15, 2016. Owners can contact Mci at 1-800-241-2947, or call a franchised Mci dealer and reference recall 16V020 or service bulletin SB 431 to schedule the free seat inspection and repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V020000 |
|---|---|
| Mci customer service | 1-800-241-2947 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V020 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V020000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (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 May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →