Recall 20V526 affects 1,561 2017-2020 Mci J4500 motor coaches for coolant hose failure. Repair is free at any franchised Mci dealer.
Mci is recalling 1,561 2017-2020 J4500 motor coaches because a coolant hose can fail, trigger a low-coolant warning, start an engine shutdown sequence, and spill coolant on the roadway. Spilled coolant raises crash risk, and transferring passengers from a disabled bus raises injury risk; Mci dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
In NHTSA campaign 20V526, the coolant hose on 2017-2020 Mci J4500 motor coaches carries hot engine coolant through the cooling system. That coolant helps control engine temperature while the coach is running. The hose has to stay sealed under heat, pressure, and vibration.
On affected coaches, the hose liner was not fully fused during manufacturing. That weak spot lets the hose rupture during service. Once the hose opens, coolant leaks out, the coolant level drops, and the engine starts a shutdown sequence. Coolant also spills onto the roadway, and the coach can be left disabled where the failure happens.
The warning sign is a low coolant light on the dash. It turns on once the coolant drops below the minimum level, so the driver gets a warning before the engine shuts down.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 J4500 model years, all tied to the same hot water supply tube in the cooling system.
| 2020 Mci J4500 | Hoses/lines/piping/fittings |
|---|---|
| 2017 Mci J4500 | Hoses/lines/piping/fittings |
| 2018 Mci J4500 | Hoses/lines/piping/fittings |
| 2019 Mci J4500 | Hoses/lines/piping/fittings |
| Units affected | 1,561 |
| 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?
Spilled coolant can raise crash risk, and moving passengers from a disabled bus can raise injury risk. A low coolant telltale illuminates once engine coolant drops below the minimum level. If that light appears, pull over where safe and arrange service before continuing. Repair is free at any franchised Mci dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2020 Mci J4500 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mci dealer to schedule the free coolant-hose replacement for the recalled hose failure tied to low coolant warnings, engine shutdown sequence, and coolant spills.
- Bring the recall notice if Mci sent one. If not, reference recall number 20V526 and Mci recall SB 486 when you call.
- Pull over safely if a low coolant warning appears or the engine shutdown sequence starts, then call the dealer before moving passengers.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, the Mci technician replaces the coolant hose covered by recall 20V526. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. Mci has a general reimbursement plan on file, so owners who already paid for a related coolant hose repair before the recall notice should ask Mci customer service or the service desk how to submit documentation for review. Keep any repair invoice, payment record, and service description tied to the coolant hose work.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 31, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 30, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| September 30, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 30, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| September 30, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| October 30, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V526?
Recall 20V526 covers 1,561 2017-2020 Mci J4500 motor coaches with a coolant hose that can fail. The failure can trigger a low coolant warning, start an engine shutdown sequence, and spill coolant on the roadway. Mci dealers will replace the coolant hose for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2020 Mci J4500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motor coach is included in recall 20V526. If it is, contact a franchised Mci dealer to schedule the coolant hose replacement. Reference recall number 20V526 and Mci service bulletin SB 486 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost, and Mci will replace the coolant hose free of charge at a franchised dealer. Parts and labor are covered under the recall remedy.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is spilled coolant on the roadway and a disabled bus. The official consequence says spilled coolant increases crash risk, and transferring passengers from a disabled bus increases injury risk. The repair path is a free coolant hose replacement at an Mci dealer.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Watch for a low coolant warning. The recall filing says coolant hose failure can lead to that warning, followed by an engine shutdown sequence and coolant spilling onto the roadway. If that happens, stop safely and arrange service with an Mci dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V526000 |
|---|---|
| Mci customer service | 1-800-241-2947 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V526 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V526000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →