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1981 International Harvester S2500 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

3 safety recalls list the 1981 International Harvester S2500. Check your own VIN below.

3
safety recalls
0
owner complaints to NHTSA

3 safety recalls for the 1981 International Harvester S2500

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

  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.

  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.

  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.

No owner complaints on file

NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1981 International Harvester S2500. 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 S2500 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every International Harvester S2500 model year in NHTSA's database.

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

Checking a specific 1981 International Harvester S2500

How do I know if my 1981 International Harvester S2500 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. 3 campaigns currently list the 1981 International Harvester S2500; 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 81V109000).

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.