International Harvester S1800 Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 0 owner complaints across 9 model years of the International Harvester S1800 (1977–1985).

Pick your International Harvester S1800 model year

• 1977
• 1978
• 1979
• 1980
• 1981
• 1982
• 1983
• 1984
• 1985

All International Harvester S1800 recalls (10)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a International Harvester S1800, 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. Hose, piping, and connections (steering)

   NHTSA 83V127000 Reported December 2, 1983 1,387 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER

   Within the steering system, high operating temperatures may cause eventual deterioration of the hose which returns power steering fluid to the pump. The hose may rupture and power steering assist will be lost.

   Remedy: Dealer will replace the power steering hose and install a heat shield between the engine and hose at no charge.

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Gear box (other than rack and pinion) (steering)

   NHTSA 83V001000 Reported January 10, 1983 3,500 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER

   Under certain circumstances, the output shaft of the steering gear may develop cracks at a location between the gear and the pitman arm mounting. The suspect component is found on steering gears with the code 05057. Continued operation may result in fracture and disconnection of the steering linkage.

   Remedy: The dealer will remove original output shaft from steering gear and replace it with a new case-hardened shaft free of charge.

   Model years: 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983

7. Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle) (power train)

   NHTSA 82V040000 Reported April 23, 1982 11,130 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER

   On the involved vehicles the clutch pressure plate may suddenly self destruct, scattering broken fragments.

   Remedy: Dealer will remove the bellville spring clutch assembly and replace it with a coil spring clutch assembly at no cost to owner.

   Model years: 1980, 1981, 1982

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

   NHTSA 81V129000 Reported October 22, 1981 1,500 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER

   An extra adapter fitting used along with an incorrect through-frame fitting may have been installed in the fluid line. The additional length of the extra fitting could move the fluid line into a position of interference with the clutch rod, causing wear on the fluid line.

   Remedy: The unnecessary adapter fitting will be removed from the brake system and the correct through-frame fitting will be installed. The brake line will be inspected for evidence of wear and replaced, if necessary, at no…

   Model years: 1980

9. Tie rod assembly (steering)

   NHTSA 81V041000 Reported March 25, 1981 6,700 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER

   The nut that fastens the tapered tie rod ends to the steering arms may not have been sufficiently tightened on certain vehicles. The nut could loosen and eventually come off, causing the tie rod to disengage from the steering arm. The nut may come off despite the installation of locking cotter pins.

   Remedy: The nut will be securely fastened at no charge.

   Model years: 1980, 1981

10. 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.