1978 International Harvester 1700 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
6 safety recalls list the 1978 International Harvester 1700. Check your own VIN below.
6 safety recalls for the 1978 International Harvester 1700
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Pedals and linkages (service brakes)
The pushrod may have been incorrectly mounted to the lower of two holes in the brake pedal assembly. Incorrect mounting can cause sideload forces to be applied to the pushrod, causing the pushrod to fracture.
Remedy: Vehicle will be inspected for correct (upper hole) pushrod mounting. Mismounted pushrods will be replaced and correctly mounted. The lower hole will be blocked to prevent future mistakes, without charge to owner.
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Windshield (visibility)
The opening for the windshield in the cab may be too large to permit proper retention or sealing of the windshield.
Remedy: Dealer will install upper and lower metal retaining brackets to hold windshield in position, without charge to owner.
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Master cylinder (service brakes)
Defective bolts may have been used to mount the brake master cylinder to the cab firewall, resulting in bolt fracture. Fracture of all the master cylinder mounting bolts would allow separation of the master cylinder from its mounting.
Remedy: Defective mounting bolts will be replaced without charge to owner.
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Master cylinder (service brakes)
Incorrect bolts may have been used to mount the master cylinder to the brake booster unit. The bolts could break and allow separation of the master cylinder from its mounting.
Remedy: Vehicles will be inspected and any incorrect bolts will be replaced without charge to owner.
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Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)
The defect is insecure clamping of the steering column coupling to the steering gear input shaft due to clamp failure. The clamp was improperly heat-treated and may be deformed or fractured. Insecure clamping can cause wear and progressive looseness, which if not detected or not promptly repaired could progress until serrations of shaft…
Remedy: The dealer will replace the clamp, bolt and nut on all affected vehicles at no cost to owner.
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)
The air supply lines from the primary and secondary air tanks to the air brake application (foot) valve may have been installed in reverse. In the event of air loss failure in the primary system, total loss of service brakes could occur.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, reinstall the air supply lines properly.
No owner complaints on file
NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1978 International Harvester 1700. For context, the average model year in NHTSA's database has dozens; a zero can mean a reliable vehicle, a rare one, or both.
Compare International Harvester 1700 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every International Harvester 1700 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 International Harvester 1700 | 1 | 0 |
| 1977 International Harvester 1700 | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 International Harvester 1700 | 6 | 0 |
| 1979 International Harvester 1700 | 4 | 0 |
Checking a specific 1978 International Harvester 1700
How do I know if my 1978 International Harvester 1700 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 6 campaigns currently list the 1978 International Harvester 1700; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised International Harvester dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 78V260000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other International Harvester models
- School Bus42 complaints
- 380041 complaints
- 470040 complaints
- 490021 complaints
- International Harvester11 complaints
- Conventional10 complaints
- 94008 complaints
- 93007 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.