1983 International Harvester Cargostar Series Recalls, Complaints & Specs
4 safety recalls list the 1983 International Harvester Cargostar Series. Check your own VIN below.
4 safety recalls for the 1983 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.
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Linkages (steering)
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.
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Linkages (steering)
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.
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Foundation components (service brakes)
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.
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Drum (service brakes)
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.
No owner complaints on file
NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1983 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 year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 International Harvester Cargostar Series | 1 | 0 |
| 1971 International Harvester Cargostar Series | 3 | 0 |
| 1972 International Harvester Cargostar Series | 3 | 0 |
| 1973 International Harvester Cargostar Series | 3 | 0 |
| 1974 International Harvester Cargostar Series | 4 | 0 |
| 1975 International Harvester Cargostar Series | 8 | 0 |
| 1976 International Harvester Cargostar Series | 5 | 0 |
| 1977 International Harvester Cargostar Series | 6 | 0 |
| 1978 International Harvester Cargostar Series | 4 | 0 |
| 1979 International Harvester Cargostar Series | 3 | 0 |
| 1980 International Harvester Cargostar Series | 2 | 0 |
| 1981 International Harvester Cargostar Series | 2 | 0 |
| 1982 International Harvester Cargostar Series | 4 | 0 |
| 1983 International Harvester Cargostar Series | 4 | 0 |
| 1984 International Harvester Cargostar Series | 4 | 0 |
| 1985 International Harvester Cargostar Series | 3 | 0 |
| 1986 International Harvester Cargostar Series | 3 | 0 |
Checking a specific 1983 International Harvester Cargostar Series
How do I know if my 1983 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 1983 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 83V029000).
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
- 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.