The defect
Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2018-2020 D4000, D4005, D4500, D4505 and D45CRTLE buses manufactured with electric cooling fans (E-fan) for the radiator and charge air cooler, Borg Warner 55SI model dual alternator configuration (with a sense stud and wire), and Parker Vansco Multiplexing Module (VMM) Multiplex system. A build-up of debris, corrosion, and/or water flow could cause a high resistance path to ground for the sense stud on the back of the alternator and cause the alternator to produce excessive voltage output, which may exceed the threshold limit currently programmed in the VMM and result in a loss of engine power and vehicle shutdown.
The risk
If the engine shuts down or loses power while the vehicle is in motion, this may increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
MCI will notify the affected owners, and dealers will install a new application code in the Parker VMM multiplex modules increasing the overvoltage threshold limit, free of charge. The recall began July 23, 2020. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1-800-241-2947. MCI's number for this recall is SB 479.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| MCI D4000 | 2018, 2019, 2020 |
| MCI D4005 | 2018, 2019, 2020 |
| MCI D45 CRT LE | 2018, 2019, 2020 |
| MCI D4500 | 2018, 2019, 2020 |
| MCI D4505 | 2018, 2019, 2020 |
| MCI J4500 | 2018, 2019, 2020 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCI D4000 | 2018 | 0 | 4 |
| MCI D4000 | 2019 | 0 | 1 |
| MCI D4000 | 2020 | 0 | 1 |
| MCI D4005 | 2018 | 0 | 5 |
| MCI D4005 | 2019 | 0 | 5 |
| MCI D4005 | 2020 | 0 | 4 |
| MCI D45 CRT LE | 2018 | 0 | 4 |
| MCI D45 CRT LE | 2019 | 0 | 5 |
| MCI D45 CRT LE | 2020 | 0 | 5 |
| MCI D4500 | 2018 | 0 | 7 |
| MCI D4500 | 2019 | 0 | 8 |
| MCI D4500 | 2020 | 0 | 8 |
| MCI D4505 | 2018 | 0 | 7 |
| MCI D4505 | 2019 | 0 | 8 |
| MCI D4505 | 2020 | 0 | 7 |
| MCI J4500 | 2018 | 0 | 13 |
| MCI J4500 | 2019 | 0 | 12 |
| MCI J4500 | 2020 | 0 | 9 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2020
105 of the 782 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2020 concerned the electrical system; Motor Coach Industries filed 45 campaigns in all.
| 20V812000 28 Dec 2020 | Marion Body Works Inc. |
| 20V805000 21 Dec 2020 | SVI Trucks |
| 20V801000 18 Dec 2020 | Keystone RV Company |
| 20V790000 17 Dec 2020 | General Motors, LLC |
| 20V798000 17 Dec 2020 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) |
| 20V779000 15 Dec 2020 | Rosenbauer America |
| 20V783000 15 Dec 2020 | Halcore Group, Inc. |
| 20V781000 15 Dec 2020 | Ducati North America |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2020