RecallMyCar

1989 International Harvester 3800 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

3 safety recalls list the 1989 International Harvester 3800. Check your own VIN below.

3
safety recalls
0
owner complaints to NHTSA

3 safety recalls for the 1989 International Harvester 3800

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. Cables (vehicle speed control)

    NHTSA 95V127000 Reported 21,742 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE

    The wire end of the hand throttle cable passes through a split plastic grommet in the accelerator rod. This wire can work through the slot in the grommet and become lodged between the grommet and the edge of the hole in the accelerator rod.

    Remedy: Dealers will repair buses by installing a new cable grommet without a slot; install a new cable stop; and readjust the throttle cable.

  3. 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 1989 International Harvester 3800. 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 3800 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every International Harvester 3800 model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1979 International Harvester 380010
1980 International Harvester 380010
1981 International Harvester 380020
1982 International Harvester 380030
1983 International Harvester 380020
1984 International Harvester 380020
1985 International Harvester 380020
1986 International Harvester 380020
1987 International Harvester 380021
1988 International Harvester 380020
1989 International Harvester 380030
1991 International Harvester 380051
1992 International Harvester 380050
1993 International Harvester 380041
1994 International Harvester 380043
1995 International Harvester 380048
1996 International Harvester 380032
1997 International Harvester 380033
1998 International Harvester 380014
1999 International Harvester 380029
2000 International Harvester 380039
2001 International Harvester 380020

Checking a specific 1989 International Harvester 3800

How do I know if my 1989 International Harvester 3800 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. 3 campaigns currently list the 1989 International Harvester 3800; 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.