RecallMyCar

1982 International Harvester 1853 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

4 safety recalls list the 1982 International Harvester 1853. Check your own VIN below.

4
safety recalls
0
owner complaints to NHTSA

4 safety recalls for the 1982 International Harvester 1853

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Switch (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 96V192000 Reported 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.

  2. Suspension: rear

    NHTSA 96V096000 Reported 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.

  3. Shaft pitman (steering)

    NHTSA 92V153000 Reported 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.

  4. Tank assembly (fuel system)

    NHTSA 92V102000 Reported 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.

No owner complaints on file

NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1982 International Harvester 1853. 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 1853 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every International Harvester 1853 model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1968 International Harvester 185320
1970 International Harvester 185310
1971 International Harvester 185310
1974 International Harvester 185320
1978 International Harvester 185310
1979 International Harvester 185320
1980 International Harvester 185320
1981 International Harvester 185330
1982 International Harvester 185340
1983 International Harvester 185330
1984 International Harvester 185330
1985 International Harvester 185330
1986 International Harvester 185330
1987 International Harvester 185330
1988 International Harvester 185320
1989 International Harvester 185320
1991 International Harvester 185320
1992 International Harvester 185320

Checking a specific 1982 International Harvester 1853

How do I know if my 1982 International Harvester 1853 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. 4 campaigns currently list the 1982 International Harvester 1853; 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 92V102000).

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

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.