Recall 21V971 affects 1,125 2019-2022 Mci coaches with Cummins X12 fuel tubes that crack and leak. Repair is free at any franchised Mci dealer.
Mci is recalling 1,125 2019-2022 coaches, including D45CRTLE and J4500 vehicles, because fuel tubes on certain Cummins X12 diesel engines can fatigue and crack. A high pressure fuel leak near an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire, and the Mci dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The injector fuel supply tube in NHTSA campaign 21V971 is the metal line between the fuel rail and each injector on certain Cummins X12 diesel engines in 2019-2022 Mci coaches. The fuel rail holds diesel fuel under high pressure, and each tube carries that fuel to an injector so the engine receives the correct amount at the correct cylinder.
On affected coaches, the tubes for cylinders four, five, and six are vulnerable to metal fatigue. Vibration, assembly strain, and material strength combine to stress the tube until it cracks. Once that happens, diesel fuel can escape as a high pressure leak instead of staying sealed inside the injection system.
Maintenance staff can find the leak during service. An operator can also smell fuel or see a fuel mist near the engine area, which is the warning sign to treat the coach as needing inspection before continued service.
Who's affected?
Spans eight Mci bus models across the 2019-2022 model years, all tied to the same injector fuel supply tube.
| 2021 Mci D45CRTLE | fuel system |
|---|---|
| 2020 Mci D45CRTLE | fuel system |
| 2021 Mci D4520 | fuel system |
| 2022 Mci D45CRTLE | fuel system |
| 2022 Mci D4500 | fuel system |
| 2021 Mci D4505 | fuel system |
| 2021 Mci D4500 | fuel system |
| 2021 Mci D4005 | fuel system |
| 2021 Mci D4000 | fuel system |
| 2021 Mci J4500 | fuel system |
| 2020 Mci D4505 | fuel system |
| 2020 Mci D4005 | fuel system |
| 2020 Mci D4500 | fuel system |
| 2019 Mci D4500 | fuel system |
| 2020 Mci J4500 | fuel system |
| 2019 Mci J4500 | fuel system |
| 2020 Mci D4000 Istv | fuel system |
| 2021 Mci D4000 Istv | fuel system |
| 2022 Mci D4000 Istv | fuel system |
| 2019 Mci D4000 Istv | fuel system |
| Units affected | 1,125 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
A high pressure fuel leak near an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. Fuel smell or fuel mist points to a leak, so park safely and call the dealer if either appears. Schedule the recall repair soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Mci dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2022 Mci D45CRTLE, D4520, D4500, D4505, D4005, D4000, J4500, or D4000 Istv is included in this recall.
- Use Mci's March 11, 2022 owner letter to confirm the repair instructions before arranging service.
- Call Mci customer service at 1-800-241-2947 with questions and reference recall number 21V971 when you call.
- Ask about the free Cummins fuel-tube repair that prevents cracked high-pressure fuel tubes from leaking near an ignition source.
- Keep the coach away from ignition sources and stop operating it if you smell fuel or see signs of a diesel leak.
What happens at the repair
The final dealer repair is still under development, so do not assume the dealer can complete it today. Once it opens, an Mci technician will handle the repair free of charge. Engines with 75 miles or less get vibration isolators installed on the fuel tubes. Engines with more than 75 miles get new fuel tubes with vibration isolators. The work targets the fuel tubes between the fuel rail and the injectors for cylinders 4, 5, and 6. Owner letters were mailed March 11, 2022.
Timeline
| December 15, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 28, 2022 | Dealer notification began |
| January 28, 2022 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 28, 2022 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 28, 2022 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 11, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V971?
Recall 21V971 covers 1,125 2019-2022 Mci coaches with certain Cummins X12 diesel engines. Fuel tubes for cylinders four, five, and six can fatigue and crack, creating a high pressure fuel leak. Mci and Cummins provide the recall repair free of charge.
What should I do if my 2019-2022 Mci D45CRTLE, D4520, D4500, D4505, D4005, D4000, J4500, or D4000 Istv is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific coach is included in recall 21V971. If it is, contact a franchised Mci service location or Mci customer service at 1-800-241-2947 and reference recall R21-028. Ask which Cummins repair applies to your engine mileage.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform recall repairs at no cost, and Mci says this repair will be performed free of charge. Engines with 75 miles or less receive vibration isolators, while engines with more than 75 miles receive new fuel tubes with vibration isolators.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. A cracked fuel tube can cause a high pressure fuel leak, and fuel near an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. If your VIN is included, arrange the free repair and ask the service desk about safe operation before the coach is moved.
When were owners notified about recall 21V971?
Mci mailed owner notification letters on March 11, 2022. If you bought the coach used or never received that letter, the VIN still controls recall eligibility. Check your VIN, then call Mci customer service or a franchised Mci service location with recall R21-028.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V971000 |
|---|---|
| Mci customer service | 1-800-241-2947 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V971 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V971000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →