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1986 International Harvester Cargostar Series Recalls, Complaints & Specs

3 safety recalls list the 1986 International Harvester Cargostar Series. Check your own VIN below.

3
safety recalls
0
owner complaints to NHTSA

3 safety recalls for the 1986 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. Alternator/generator/regulator (electrical system)

    NHTSA 87V005000 Reported 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.

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

    NHTSA 86V085000 Reported 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.

  3. Fuel injection system (fuel system)

    NHTSA 86V046000 Reported 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.

No owner complaints on file

NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1986 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 1986 International Harvester Cargostar Series

How do I know if my 1986 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. 3 campaigns currently list the 1986 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 86V046000).

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.