International Harvester 3900FC Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 0 owner complaints across 16 model years of the International Harvester 3900FC (1979–1995).

Pick your International Harvester 3900FC model year

• 1979
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• 1991
• 1992
• 1993
• 1994
• 1995

All International Harvester 3900FC recalls (6)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a International Harvester 3900FC, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

1. Hydraulic (service brakes)

   NHTSA 94V234000 Reported November 28, 1994 62 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE

   The hydraulic brake system on these buses uses two hydraulic pressure switches to operate the brake lights and the brake booster pump. The brake pressure warning light can activate when actual system failure has not occurred.

   Remedy: Dealers will replace the two hydraulic pressure switches with one mechanical switch that is activated by brake pedal stroke.

   Model years: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995

2. Mounting (fuel system)

   NHTSA 93V112000 Reported July 7, 1993 10,629 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE

   The fuel tank cage assembly bolts mounting the vertical straps to the horizontal angle were assembled with the threaded end of the bolts facing the fuel tank.

   Remedy: The fuel tank cage mounting bolts will be removed and reinstalled with the bolt head toward the tank.

   Model years: 1991, 1992

3. Air suspension system (suspension)

   NHTSA 93V092000 Reported May 21, 1993 193 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE

   The pressure relief valve was omitted in the air tank. The air tank is the reservoir for the air suspension and is not brake related. Without the pressure relief valve, there is no back-up system to limit air pressure in the air suspension system.

   Remedy: Install a pressure relief valve in the air tank.

   Model years: 1991, 1992, 1993

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. Hose, piping, and connections (steering)

   NHTSA 92V096000 Reported July 7, 1992 1,184 vehicles potentially affected NAVISTAR INTL CORP.

   The power steering return hose was incorrectly routed, and could kink and reduce power steering assist.

   Remedy: Install a new, correctly routed, power steering return assembly.

   Model years: 1991, 1992

6. Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

   NHTSA 91V208000 Reported November 27, 1991 62 vehicles potentially affected NAVISTAR INTL CORP.

   The pinch bolt connecting the upper steering column to the lower steering column may not have been properly tightened and separation of upper and lower steering columns can occur.

   Remedy: Tighten the upper pinch bolt as required.

   Model years: 1991, 1992

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.