Recall 19V344 affects 75 2018-2019 Mci J4500, J3500, and D4505 buses with shattering glass roof hatches. Free replacement at the hatch manufacturer.
Mci is recalling 75 2018-2019 J4500, J3500, and D4505 buses under recall 19V344 because temperature and vibration stresses can shatter the Transpec T287x Series tempered glass roof hatch. Falling glass fragments can injure passengers, and Mci dealers will replace the affected roof hatches free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The glass roof hatch on these MCI buses is a tempered glass panel mounted in the roof that lets in light and can open for ventilation. The hatch is built around a single piece of tempered glass held in a frame, supported by closing springs and sealed against the roof. Under normal use, the glass handles road vibration, temperature swings, and the force of opening and closing without trouble.
On affected J4500, J3500, and D4505 buses, some of these glass panels left the supplier with small chips along their edges from the manufacturing process. Heat and cold cycles, plus vibration and shock from normal road travel, concentrate stress at those edge chips. Over time, that stress can fracture the tempered glass, and the panel can shatter while the bus is in operation.
There is no warning sign before failure. The supplier reports no early indicator that the glass is about to break, so owners and drivers cannot rely on a visible crack or noise to predict it.
Who's affected?
Covers three MCI coach models (J4500, J3500, D4505) across the 2018 and 2019 model years, all built between June and December 2018 with the same sun/moon roof assembly.
| 2018 Mci J4500 | visibility component |
|---|---|
| 2019 Mci J4500 | visibility component |
| 2019 Mci J3500 | visibility component |
| 2019 Mci D4505 | visibility component |
| Units affected | 75 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 5 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
If the tempered glass roof hatch shatters, fragments can fall onto passengers and cause injury. There is no warning sign before failure, so inspect the hatch before each trip and keep passengers clear of seats directly below it until the replacement is installed. Schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mci dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 MCI J4500, 2019 J3500, or 2019 D4505 bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised MCI dealer or MCI customer service to arrange the free roof-hatch replacement that fixes the shatter-prone tempered glass hatch.
- Call MCI customer service at 1-800-241-2947 and reference recall number 19V344 (MCI recall SB 471) when you call.
- Bring the recall notice to your service appointment if MCI has mailed one; if not, reference recall number 19V344 at check-in.
- Keep passengers clear of the area directly beneath the glass roof hatch until the replacement is complete, since a shattered hatch can drop glass fragments onto seats below.
What happens at the repair
To get the recall fix, contact MCI customer service at 1-800-241-2947 and reference SB 471. MCI will direct you to the hatch manufacturer for a replacement roof hatch at no cost. The kit includes a Transpec glass hatch replacement and full instructions for removing the defective components and installing the new lid. Parts are free under the recall, and the swap takes about 15 minutes per hatch. If you previously paid an installer for a related repair, MCI's reimbursement plan covers documented expenses, so bring your receipts when you submit the claim.
| Estimated time at dealer | 15 minutes |
|---|---|
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
Timeline
| May 3, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 14, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| June 14, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 14, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| June 20, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V344?
Recall 19V344 covers 75 2018-2019 MCI J4500, 2019 J3500, and 2019 D4505 buses equipped with Transpec T287x Series glass roof hatches. Temperature and vibration stresses can cause the tempered glass roof hatch to shatter, dropping glass fragments onto passengers. The replacement roof hatch is free.
What should I do if my 2018-2019 MCI J4500, J3500, or D4505 bus is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 19V344. If it is, contact MCI customer service at 1-800-241-2947 and reference recall number SB 471. MCI will direct you to the hatch manufacturer for a free replacement roof hatch.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost. The replacement roof hatch is free of charge through the hatch manufacturer once MCI directs you to them. Call MCI customer service at 1-800-241-2947 and reference recall number SB 471 to start the process.
What is the safety risk?
If the tempered glass roof hatch shatters, glass fragments can fall onto passengers, increasing the risk of injury. The hatch is held together by temperature and vibration stresses that build up over time, so the failure can happen without a clear warning to the driver or passengers below.
What if I already paid to replace the roof hatch on my MCI bus?
Contact MCI customer service at 1-800-241-2947 and reference recall number SB 471 to ask about reimbursement for the prior roof-hatch replacement. Have your receipts, the work order, and your VIN ready when you call so MCI can confirm the repair matches the recall remedy.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V344000 |
|---|---|
| Mci customer service | 1-800-241-2947 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V344 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V344000 |
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 →