International Harvester Cargostar Series Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 17 safety recalls and 0 owner complaints across 17 model years of the International Harvester Cargostar Series (1970–1986).

Pick your International Harvester Cargostar Series model year

• 1970
• 1971
• 1972
• 1973
• 1974
• 1975
• 1976
• 1977
• 1978
• 1979
• 1980
• 1981
• 1982
• 1983
• 1984
• 1985
• 1986

All International Harvester Cargostar Series recalls (17)

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

1. Alternator/generator/regulator (electrical system)

   NHTSA 87V005000 Reported January 29, 1987 101,072 vehicles potentially affected NAVISTAR INTL CORP.

   Engine and brake backup system have common electrical power source; engine could die from electrical failure of the main power feed from the alternator.

   Remedy: Separate engine and brake back up circuits.

   Model years: 1984, 1985, 1986

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

   NHTSA 86V085000 Reported July 1, 1986 3,226 vehicles potentially affected NAVISTAR INTL CORP.

   Truck tractor to trailer hoses installed on these trucks may not meet adhesion requirements of FMVSS 106, hydraulic brake hoses. The hose outer cover and braid did not with stand tensile force required by the standard. Consequence of defect: the hose may fail causing partial loss of braking capability which could lead to a crash if all…

   Remedy: Replace hose assembly if of the suspect date code.

   Model years: 1986

3. Fuel injection system (fuel system)

   NHTSA 86V046000 Reported March 21, 1986 10,002 vehicles potentially affected NAVISTAR INTL CORP.

   The fuel injection pump throttle shaft bushing may be contaminated with a heat sensitive liquid polymer which can solidify on the bushing at normal engine operating temperature and cause the throttle to stick. Consequence of defect: throttle lever may stick and not return to low idle position after accelerator pedal is released. This…

   Remedy: Replace fuel injection pump governor housing with a new housing containing new bushings free of contamination.

   Model years: 1985, 1986

4. Linkages (steering)

   NHTSA 85V046000 Reported April 26, 1985 15,500 vehicles potentially affected NAVISTAR INTL CORP.

   The steering pitman arm could develop cracks and eventually fracture due to high bending loads. Consequence of defect: such a fracture could cause a loss of steering control and result in a vehicle crash without prior warning.

   Remedy: Replace pitman arm with a redesigned strengthened arm.

   Model years: 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985

5. Linkages (steering)

   NHTSA 84V109000 Reported September 19, 1984 13,200 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER

   The steering arm may crack or break in either low speed or stand still maneuvers. Cracking may occur as a result of repeated full lock turns.

   Remedy: The existing steering arm will be replaced with a redesigned and strengthened arm.

   Model years: 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984

6. Foundation components (service brakes)

   NHTSA 84V090000 Reported August 14, 1984 450 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER

   The hydrovac canisters were modified and do not work well with the rest of the braking system. More pedal effort is needed in order to bring vehicle to a halt and the maximum stopping distance is increased.

   Remedy: Upon inspection, hydrovac canisters with improved braking characteristics will be installed.

   Model years: 1982, 1983, 1984

7. Drum (service brakes)

   NHTSA 83V029000 Reported March 14, 1983 1,900 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER

   The 3/4 inch diameter fasteners which join the rear axle brake drum to the wheels were not tightened properly. These fasteners may loosen during vehicle operation, causing damage to the drum and brakes of the wheel.

   Remedy: The dealer will inspect and retighten fasteners to specified level and replace damaged components, if necessary.

   Model years: 1982, 1983

8. Labels (equipment)

   NHTSA 79V227000 Reported October 16, 1979 18,778 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER

   The involved vehicles do not have the required certification labels stating correct tire and rim information. These vehicles do not conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, "tire selection and rims for vehicles other than passenger cars".

   Remedy: Dealer will inspect and replace incorrect labels free of charge.

   Model years: 1977, 1978

9. Drum (service brakes)

   NHTSA 79V211000 Reported September 18, 1979 25,000 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER

   As a result of severe shock and vibrations, the brake spiders on the involved vehicles may develop cracks near the camshaft mounting boss. The crack propagates across the spider until the camshaft boss is completely severed from the remainder of the spider. When the camshaft boss has completely severed, the s-cam, s-cam bracket, air…

   Remedy: The dealer will replace the front brake spiders on all affected vehicles used in snow plow dump and refuse hauling applications. This will be done at no charge.

   Model years: 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979

10. Suspension: rear

    NHTSA 77V235000 Reported December 28, 1977 7,525 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER

    The involved vehicles may contain a poor quality or an insufficient weld of the brake group mounting flanges to the axle housing. This could lead to the flange breaking loose from the housing, allowing the brake group to turn with the brake drum on brake application. This will cut the brake lines to the brake group and may cause partial…

    Remedy: Dealer will reweld the brake flanges correctly, without charge to owner.

    Model years: 1976, 1977

11. Multi piece (wheels)

    NHTSA 77V180000 Reported October 17, 1977 21,980 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER

    The deficiency exists in the front axle forged aluminum hubs. The deficiency which is in the barrel section between the inner and outer bearing, may result in cracks which could lead to hub failure. When hub failure occurs, the separated hub is retained on the axle spindle by the wheel bearing and adjusting nut.

    Remedy: The dealer will replace the forged aluminum hubs with steel hubs, at no charge.

    Model years: 1975, 1976, 1977

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

    NHTSA 75V191000 Reported October 31, 1975 8,500 vehicles potentially affected NAVISTAR INTL CORP.

    Model years: 1975

13. Service brakes, air: control unit/module

    NHTSA 75V117000 Reported June 23, 1975 8,500 vehicles potentially affected NAVISTAR INTL CORP.

    Model years: 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975

14. Automatic transmission (power train)

    NHTSA 75V089000 Reported May 15, 1975 3,000 vehicles potentially affected NAVISTAR INTL CORP.

    Model years: 1974, 1975

15. Drum (service brakes)

    NHTSA 75V047000 Reported March 24, 1975 400 vehicles potentially affected NAVISTAR INTL CORP.

    Model years: 1975

16. Pedals and linkages (service brakes)

    NHTSA 74V115000 Reported July 16, 1974 685 vehicles potentially affected NAVISTAR INTL CORP.

    Model years: 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974

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

    NHTSA 72V032000 Reported January 7, 1972 79 vehicles potentially affected NAVISTAR INTL CORP.

    Model years: 1971, 1972

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.