Recall 25V457 covers 321 2025-2026 Mci D4520, D45CRTLE, D45CRT, J3500, and J4500 buses for misplaced emergency-exit labels. Repair is free at any franchised Mci dealer.
Mci is recalling 321 2025-2026 J4500, J3500, D4520, D45CRT, and D45CRTLE buses because the emergency exit label is in the wrong location. An incorrect label location can delay use of the emergency exit and increase injury risk; Mci dealers will correct the label free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The emergency exit label or plate on a 2025-2026 Mci J4500, J3500, D4520, D45CRT, or D45CRTLE bus is the instruction marker for an emergency exit window. It is supposed to sit close enough to the release mechanism that a passenger or responder can quickly see how to open the exit under FMVSS 217.
On these buses, the windows use a newer emergency egress design added with FMVSS 227 compliance. When the release mechanisms changed, the matching labels were placed in locations that Mci determined did not meet the label location rules. The window release hardware is not described as broken; the problem is that the instruction plate is not where the standard requires it to be.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners, operators, and drivers would not hear, feel, or see a drivability symptom from this label issue before it is found by inspection.
Who's affected?
The scope spans five Mci bus lines across the 2025-2026 model years, all tied to emergency-exit labeling.
| 2026 Mci J4500 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
|---|---|
| 2025 Mci J3500 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2025 Mci J4500 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2025 Mci D4520 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2025 Mci D45CRT | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2025 Mci D45CRTLE | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| Units affected | 321 |
| 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?
Incorrectly placed emergency exit labels can prevent or delay use of the exit during an emergency and increase injury risk. There is no warning sign before someone needs the exit. Until the labels are corrected, make sure occupants and staff know where the emergency exit is and schedule the label repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mci dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2025-2026 Mci J4500, J3500, D4520, D45CRT, or D45CRTLE bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mci dealer to schedule the free emergency-exit-label correction that places the labels where riders can find the exits.
- Bring the recall notice if Mci mailed one. If not, reference recall number 25V457 when you call.
- Follow Mci's mailed label instructions if Mci sends labels instead of scheduling dealer installation.
- Keep the corrected emergency exit labels in place after the repair or label kit is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mci technician checks the emergency exit label location and installs the correct label where needed. Mci can also mail labels when that is the proper fix, and the label work is free under the recall. The manufacturer used its general reimbursement plan on file for this campaign. If you already paid for a related emergency exit label repair before the recall notice, contact Mci customer service with documentation so the reimbursement request can be reviewed.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 8, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 6, 2025 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V457?
Recall 25V457 covers 321 2025-2026 Mci J4500, J3500, D4520, D45CRT, and D45CRTLE buses with an emergency exit label placed in the wrong location. The label issue can delay use of the emergency exit and increase injury risk.
What should I do if my 2025-2026 Mci J4500, J3500, D4520, D45CRT, or D45CRTLE is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 25V457. If it is, contact Mci customer service at 1-800-241-2947 or a franchised Mci service location and ask how the emergency exit label will be installed or mailed. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to correct the defect at no cost. For recall 25V457, Mci will install or mail the required emergency exit labels free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is delayed emergency exit use. If the emergency exit label is in the wrong location, passengers or operators can lose time finding and using the exit during an emergency, increasing the risk of injury.
When were owners notified about recall 25V457?
Mci mailed owner notification letters on August 6, 2025. If you bought the bus used or never received a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included, then reference recall 25V457 when you contact Mci.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V457000 |
|---|---|
| Mci customer service | 1-800-241-2947 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V457 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V457000 |
Source documents
-
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 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →