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1978 International Harvester Cargostar Series Recalls, Complaints & Specs

4 safety recalls list the 1978 International Harvester Cargostar Series. Check your own VIN below.

4
safety recalls
0
owner complaints to NHTSA

4 safety recalls for the 1978 International Harvester Cargostar Series

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

  1. Linkages (steering)

    NHTSA 85V046000 Reported 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.

  2. Linkages (steering)

    NHTSA 84V109000 Reported 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.

  3. Labels (equipment)

    NHTSA 79V227000 Reported 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.

  4. Drum (service brakes)

    NHTSA 79V211000 Reported 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.

No owner complaints on file

NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1978 International Harvester Cargostar Series. 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 Cargostar Series model years

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

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1970 International Harvester Cargostar Series10
1971 International Harvester Cargostar Series30
1972 International Harvester Cargostar Series30
1973 International Harvester Cargostar Series30
1974 International Harvester Cargostar Series40
1975 International Harvester Cargostar Series80
1976 International Harvester Cargostar Series50
1977 International Harvester Cargostar Series60
1978 International Harvester Cargostar Series40
1979 International Harvester Cargostar Series30
1980 International Harvester Cargostar Series20
1981 International Harvester Cargostar Series20
1982 International Harvester Cargostar Series40
1983 International Harvester Cargostar Series40
1984 International Harvester Cargostar Series40
1985 International Harvester Cargostar Series30
1986 International Harvester Cargostar Series30

Checking a specific 1978 International Harvester Cargostar Series

How do I know if my 1978 International Harvester Cargostar Series 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 1978 International Harvester Cargostar Series; 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 79V211000).

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.