International Harvester S1600 Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 0 owner complaints across 8 model years of the International Harvester S1600 (1978–1985).

Pick your International Harvester S1600 model year

• 1978
• 1979
• 1980
• 1981
• 1982
• 1983
• 1984
• 1985

All International Harvester S1600 recalls (4)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a International Harvester S1600, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

1. Idler and attachment (steering)

   NHTSA 86V026000 Reported January 14, 1986 120,292 vehicles potentially affected NAVISTAR INTL CORP.

   Steering arm may crack after repeated full lock turns due to the lack of end-of-travel relief features. Consequence of defect: loss of steering control would be experienced if cracks expand to complete fracture of the arm, and a crash could occur without prior warning.

   Remedy: Replace steering arm with a redesigned strengthened arm.

   Model years: 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985

2. Arm (steering)

   NHTSA 85V037000 Reported April 2, 1985 31,746 vehicles potentially affected NAVISTAR INTL CORP.

   The steering arm may crack after repeated full-lock turns. Consequence of defect: if cracks progress to complete fracture of the arm, steering control would be lost and a vehicle accident could occur.

   Remedy: Replace steering arm with redesigned strengthened arm.

   Model years: 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985

3. Tie rod assembly (steering)

   NHTSA 83V075000 Reported August 17, 1983 1,318 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER

   The nuts that mount the tie rod ends to the steering arms may not have been securely fastened; the nuts could loosen and eventually fall off. Also, tie rod tubes on some axle assemblies may be too short. Either condition could lead to a separation of the tie rod from the steering arm.

   Remedy: Upon inspection, nuts will be tightened to meet specifications and any undersized tie rod tubes will be replaced.

   Model years: 1983

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

   NHTSA 80V030000 Reported March 19, 1980 4,180 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER

   The brake fluid lines which run to and from the frame mounted power assist unit may be incorrectly routed resulting in the lines rubbing or chafing on a fender splash shield bracket.

   Remedy: All vehicles will be inspected and, if necessary, the brake lines will be repositioned to provide clearance to the splash shield bracket at no charge to owners.

   Model years: 1979, 1980

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.