1990 International 3800 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
4 safety recalls list the 1990 International 3800, and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
4 safety recalls for the 1990 International 3800
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
-
Switch (exterior lighting)
These buses have a turn signal lever that will not operate consistently in the lane change mode if the lever is not moved to the position where resistance to movement is felt.
Remedy: Operators will be mailed information concerning the proper method of using turn signals. A decal will also be provided to be placed on the instrument panel of each bus.
-
Cables (vehicle speed control)
The wire end of the hand throttle cable passes through a split plastic grommet in the accelerator rod. This wire can work through the slot in the grommet and become lodged between the grommet and the edge of the hole in the accelerator rod.
Remedy: Dealers will repair buses by installing a new cable grommet without a slot; install a new cable stop; and readjust the throttle cable.
-
Tank assembly (fuel system)
The fuel system failed the crash barrier test.
Remedy: Modify the fuel tank cage to comply with FMVSS 301.
-
Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)
The throttle valve inside the hydraulic brake booster may deform from buildup of heat and pressure and close-off fluid return ports.
Remedy: Replace brake booster assembly.
2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1990 International 3800 have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Complaints peaked in 1998 with 1 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“International has agreed to replace the frame rails but jackson city schools must pay for the labor at a cost of $4000 per bus. State highway patrol inspectors for this southeastern part of ohio infor”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 30, 2002 · Structure
“Torque converter failed causing transmission to stop pulling.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 2, 1998 · Power train
Compare International 3800 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every International 3800 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 International 3800 | 4 | 2 |
| 2002 International 3800 | 2 | 4 |
| 2003 International 3800 | 3 | 0 |
| 2004 International 3800 | 2 | 1 |
Checking a specific 1990 International 3800
How do I know if my 1990 International 3800 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. 4 campaigns currently list the 1990 International 3800; 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 dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 89V224000).
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 models
- 430037 complaints
- Prostar35 complaints
- School Bus21 complaints
- International17 complaints
- Ce16 complaints
- LT16 complaints
- 440010 complaints
- 30007 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.