Recall 17V687 affects 35 2018 Mci J4500 buses for reversed air-brake pressure gauge lines. Repair is free at any franchised Mci dealer.
Mci is recalling 35 2018 J4500 buses because the primary and secondary air brake pressure lines were connected to the wrong gauges. The wrong readings can delay the driver's response to a low air condition and raise crash risk; Mci dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The air brake system on a 2018 Mci J4500 uses separate primary and secondary air circuits to supply pressure for braking. The instrument panel gauges are supposed to show the pressure in each circuit, so the driver can see whether the correct air supply is available before and during operation. On these buses, the issue is in the gauge connections, not in a recalled replacement part.
The primary air line was connected to the secondary air pressure gauge, and the secondary air line was connected to the primary gauge. That reverses the readings on the instrument panel. The green air line belongs on the left instrument panel connection, and the red air line belongs on the right connection when viewed from the driver's seat. The affected buses have those color coded air line connections reversed because the lines were connected incorrectly during production.
The driver is not given a separate symptom that identifies the reversed gauge connections. There is no warning sign before failure.
Who's affected?
| 2018 Mci J4500 | brake system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 35 |
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?
Incorrect air pressure readings can delay the driver's response to a low air condition, which increases the risk of a crash. No warning sign is identified for this recall. Schedule the dealer inspection soon so the air lines can be checked and repaired. Repair is free at any franchised Mci dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Mci J4500 is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Mci dealer to schedule the free air-line inspection and repair, which corrects the crossed brake-air gauge connections.
- Bring the recall notice if Mci mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V687 when you call.
- Tell the dealer if the driver has seen confusing air pressure readings or low-air warnings before the appointment.
- Ask Mci customer service at 1-800-241-2947 about recall SB 455 if the dealer needs help locating the repair instructions.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mci technician inspects the primary and secondary air lines for proper connection to the air pressure gauges. If a line is connected incorrectly, the dealer repairs the air line connection. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Mci's general reimbursement plan covers documented out-of-pocket repairs paid before the recall notice. Contact Mci customer service with prior repair paperwork to ask how to submit a claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 30, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 12, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V687?
Recall 17V687 covers 35 2018 Mci J4500 buses with primary and secondary air lines connected to the wrong air pressure gauges. The wrong readings can delay the driver's response to a low-air condition, increasing crash risk. Mci dealers will inspect and repair the line connections for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Mci J4500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 17V687. If it is, contact a franchised Mci dealer to schedule the air-line inspection and any needed repair. Reference recall number 17V687 and Mci recall number SB 455 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Mci will inspect the air lines and repair the connections as needed free of charge at a franchised Mci dealer.
Is it safe to drive a 2018 Mci J4500 with this recall?
The recall does not include a do-not-drive instruction. The safety concern is that incorrect air pressure readings can delay the driver's response to a low-air condition. Confirm your VIN, schedule the free dealer repair, and ask the dealer what operating guidance applies before the inspection is complete.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V687000 |
|---|---|
| Mci customer service | 1-800-241-2947 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V687 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V687000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - 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 May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →