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International Harvester S2500 Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 0 owner complaints across 7 model years of the International Harvester S2500 (1977–1983).

3
safety recalls, all years
0
owner complaints, all years
1981
year with most recalls

Pick your International Harvester S2500 model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1983 International Harvester S250020
1982 International Harvester S250020
1981 International Harvester S250030
1980 International Harvester S250020
1979 International Harvester S250010
1978 International Harvester S250010
1977 International Harvester S250010

All International Harvester S2500 recalls (3)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a International Harvester S2500, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Fifth wheel assembly (trailer hitches)

    NHTSA 83V074000 Reported 250 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER

    Bolts which mount the fifth wheel base plate to the frame brackets may not be securely fastened.

    Remedy: Upon inspection, bolts will be tightened, and any damaged parts will be replaced. All fasteners will be tightened to 145 to 175 ft. Lbs. As required.

    Model years: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983

  2. 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.

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

  3. Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

    NHTSA 81V109000 Reported 112 vehicles potentially affected INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER

    The steering column yoke unit may have been assembled with a 3/8 inch bolt and 30-35 ft/lbs of torque instead of the specified 7/16 inch bolt requiring 60-65 ft/lbs.

    Remedy: The inadequate bolt will be replaced with the proper 7/16 inch bolt and lock nut, and the proper torque of 60-65 ft/lbs will be applied.

    Model years: 1981

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.