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1981 International Harvester S1900 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

7 safety recalls list the 1981 International Harvester S1900. Check your own VIN below.

7
safety recalls
0
owner complaints to NHTSA

7 safety recalls for the 1981 International Harvester S1900

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Idler and attachment (steering)

    NHTSA 86V026000 Reported 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.

  2. Arm (steering)

    NHTSA 85V037000 Reported 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.

  3. Hose, piping, and connections (steering)

    NHTSA 83V127000 Reported 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.

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

    NHTSA 83V001000 Reported 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.

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

    NHTSA 82V040000 Reported 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.

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

    NHTSA 81V129000 Reported 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…

  7. Tie rod assembly (steering)

    NHTSA 81V041000 Reported 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.

No owner complaints on file

NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1981 International Harvester S1900. 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 S1900 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every International Harvester S1900 model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1977 International Harvester S190010
1978 International Harvester S190030
1979 International Harvester S190040
1980 International Harvester S190080
1981 International Harvester S190070
1982 International Harvester S190060
1983 International Harvester S190060
1984 International Harvester S190030
1985 International Harvester S190020

Checking a specific 1981 International Harvester S1900

How do I know if my 1981 International Harvester S1900 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. 7 campaigns currently list the 1981 International Harvester S1900; 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 81V041000).

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.