International Harvester S Series Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 14 safety recalls and 0 owner complaints across 13 model years of the International Harvester S Series (1975–1987).

Pick your International Harvester S Series model year

• 1975
• 1976
• 1977
• 1978
• 1979
• 1980
• 1981
• 1982
• 1983
• 1984
• 1985
• 1986
• 1987

All International Harvester S Series recalls (14)

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

1. Tie rod assembly (steering)

   NHTSA 88V096000 Reported June 20, 1988 5,587 vehicles potentially affected NAVISTAR INTL CORP.

   Right side tie rod steering arm on front steering axle may have missed the heat treatment operations.

   Remedy: Replace right tie rod steering arm.

   Model years: 1987

2. Fan (engine and engine cooling)

   NHTSA 87V150000 Reported September 18, 1987 1,521 vehicles potentially affected NAVISTAR INTL CORP.

   Engine viscous fan drive mounting studs located in fan spacer may not be of specified hardness, nor have specified thread locking material.

   Remedy: Replace mounting studs in fan spacer.

   Model years: 1987

3. 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: 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987

4. 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

5. Anchorage (seat belts)

   NHTSA 86V052000 Reported April 8, 1986 5,940 vehicles potentially affected NAVISTAR INTL CORP.

   The seat belts loosen as truck is driven. The non locking retractor takes up any belt slack, giving false impression that the belt is still tight. Consequence of defect: the defect can increase the possibility of injury to the belt wearer in event of a vehicle crash.

   Remedy: Replace inboard driver and passenger seat belt halves with longer belts that assure proper locking angle between belt webbing and buckle.

   Model years: 1985, 1986

6. 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

7. Vehicle speed control

   NHTSA 84V091000 Reported August 14, 1984 16,000 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER

   The engine shutdown cable located between the dash board and firewall, may interfere with the accelerator linkage.

   Remedy: Engine shutdown cable will be rerouted and strapped down as necessary.

   Model years: 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984

8. 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

9. Tie rod assembly (steering)

   NHTSA 80V148000 Reported November 17, 1980 19,500 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER

   The nuts which fasten the tie rod ends to the steering arms may not have been tightened to the specified 150 ft-lb torque. Insufficiently tightened tie rod end nuts could loosen, break off the locking cotter pin, and allow the tie rod to disengage from the steering arm.

   Remedy: The dealer will remove the locking cotter pin, tighten the nut to 150 ft-lbs and reinstall the cotter pin. Both left and right tie rod ends will be tightened. This will be done at no charge.

   Model years: 1979, 1980

10. Linkages (steering)

    NHTSA 79V258000 Reported December 14, 1979 400 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER

    The pitman arm pinch bolt which holds the pitman arm to the steering gear output shaft may not have been tightened to the correct specifications. As a result sufficient clamp force will not be maintained and the long life and high mileage integrity of the steering joint may be degraded.

    Remedy: Dealer will tighten the pinch bolt to specifications at no cost to owner.

    Model years: 1979

11. 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

12. 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

13. Multi piece (wheels)

    NHTSA 79V051000 Reported February 21, 1979 9,700 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER

    A casting deficiency may allow wheels to develop cracks in the spokes between the hub cap mounting area and the rim clamp pocket. Continued usage can lead to the disengaging of the rim and tire from the vehicle.

    Remedy: Wheels with casting defects will be replaced at no charge.

    Model years: 1977, 1978

14. 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

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.