International Harvester 1853 Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 0 owner complaints across 18 model years of the International Harvester 1853 (1968–1992).

Pick your International Harvester 1853 model year

• 1968
• 1970
• 1971
• 1974
• 1978
• 1979
• 1980
• 1981
• 1982
• 1983
• 1984
• 1985
• 1986
• 1987
• 1988
• 1989
• 1991
• 1992

All International Harvester 1853 recalls (9)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a International Harvester 1853, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

1. Switch (exterior lighting)

   NHTSA 96V192000 Reported November 12, 1996 171,638 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE

   These buses have a turn signal lever that will not operate consistently in the lane change mode if the lever is not moved to the position where resistance to movement is felt.

   Remedy: Operators will be mailed information concerning the proper method of using turn signals. A decal will also be provided to be placed on the instrument panel of each bus.

   Model years: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992

2. Suspension: rear

   NHTSA 96V096000 Reported June 11, 1996 588 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE

   The axle housings were manufactured with a tight friction weld curl radius on the inside diameter of the axle housing. Under operational loads, cracks can initiate at the weld curl radius on the inside of the housing. These cracks may propagate, eventually allowing the axle spindle to separate from the axle housing.

   Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear axle housing with a new housing.

   Model years: 1982

3. Shaft pitman (steering)

   NHTSA 92V153000 Reported October 24, 1992 145,682 vehicles potentially affected NAVISTAR INTL CORP.

   The saginaw gear does not relieve pressure when the wheels have been turned fully against the axle stops. The resulting continued pressure on the steering system can result in the development of cracks in the splines of the pitman shaft, which can develop into a complete fracture of the pitman shaft.

   Remedy: Replace the existing pitman shaft in the steering gear assembly with a new, strengthened pitman shaft.

   Model years: 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987

4. Tank assembly (fuel system)

   NHTSA 92V102000 Reported July 20, 1992 185,000 vehicles potentially affected NAVISTAR INTL CORP.

   The fuel system failed the crash barrier test.

   Remedy: Modify the fuel tank cage to comply with FMVSS 301.

   Model years: 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992

5. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)

   NHTSA 74V242000 Reported December 10, 1974 500 vehicles potentially affected NAVISTAR INTL CORP.

   Model years: 1974

6. Linkages (vehicle speed control)

   NHTSA 74V129000 Reported August 16, 1974 7,808 vehicles potentially affected NAVISTAR INTL CORP.

   Model years: 1974

7. Drum (service brakes)

   NHTSA 73V067000 Reported March 21, 1973 400 vehicles potentially affected NAVISTAR INTL CORP.

   Model years: 1970, 1971

8. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)

   NHTSA 69V006000 Reported January 13, 1969 256 vehicles potentially affected NAVISTAR INTL CORP.

   Model years: 1968

9. Pedals and linkages (service brakes)

   NHTSA 68V136000 Reported December 23, 1968 215 vehicles potentially affected NAVISTAR INTL CORP.

   Model years: 1968

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.