RoadVitals

1996 International Harvester 3800

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
2
Latest Oct 29, 2015
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Nov 27, 1996
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 International Harvester 3800, most frequently naming the body & structure, electrical and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Body & structure133.3%
  • Electrical133.3%
  • Engine133.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
96V239000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

Nov 27, 1996
727 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH THE INTERNATIONAL I6 ELECTRONIC ENGINE AND AN EXTRA THICK BUS BODY FLOOR. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO FLOOR CLEARANCE IS APPROXIMATELY 1.2 INCHES WITH A STANDARD BUS BODY FLOOR. HOWEVER, SOME CUSTOMERS ORDERED AN ADDITIONAL 3/4 INCH THICK FLOOR AND EXTRA THICK FLOOR MATS TO SERVE AS INSULATION IN COLD CLIMATES. WHEN THIS EXTRA FLOORING IS USED, THE BOTTOM EDGE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, WHEN DEPRESSED, CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH THE FLOOR.
The risk: SHOULD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CONTACT THE FLOOR, THE PEDAL COULD GET CAUGHT AND NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FLOORING ON THESE BUSES TO INSURE THERE IS A MINIMUM OF 1/4 INCH CLEARANCE. ON BUSES WITH LESS THAN 1/4 INCH CLEARANCE, THE DEALER WILL REMOVE THE PEDAL AND CUT OFF THE BOTTOM OF THE PAD TO OBTAIN THE PROPER CLEARANCE.
INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINEView on NHTSA.gov
96V174000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Sep 13, 1996
580 units potentially affected
The defect: THE WIRING FROM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WAS CONNECTED TO THE WRONG WHEEL SENSOR OR TO THE WRONG BRAKE MODULATOR VALVE. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT EITHER OR BOTH WIRING MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT EITHER THE FRONT OR REAR AXLE OR BOTH AXLES.
The risk: SHOULD THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) WIRING BE CROSSED, IT WOULD RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT DEGRADATION IN VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE. A SIGNAL WOULD BE SENT TO THE WRONG BRAKE CHAMBER WHEN A BRAKE IMBALANCE IS DETECTED. THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ABS WIRING AND, IF NECESSARY, PROPERLY CONNECT.
INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINEView on NHTSA.gov
96V041000

WHEELS:HUBCAP/COVER

Mar 1, 1996
206 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FRONT WHEEL HUB CAN DEVELOP CRACKS AT THE WHEEL MOUNTING STUDS. WHEN MOUNTED TO THE HUB, THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE DISC ROTOR DOES NOT PROPERLY SUPPORT THE HUB AT THE WHEEL STUDS CAUSING EXCESSIVE STRESS AND FATIGUE CRACKS IN THE HUB.
The risk: SHOULD SUFFICIENT CRACKS OCCUR, THE MOUNTING FLANGE PORTION OF THE HUB ALONG WITH THE WHEEL COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. SHOULD THIS OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND/OR THE SEPARATED WHEEL AND HUB COULD STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE, PEDESTRIAN OR PROPERTY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW, REDESIGNED HUBS ON THESE VEHICLES.
INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINEView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Oct 29, 2015

THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN A WAY WHERE IT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH 49 CFR 393.83(D) EVEN THOUGH THE MANUFACTURER CERTIFIED THE VEHICLE COMPLIED WITH ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL LAWS AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT. THE OEM CONFIGURATION OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM ALLOWS SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN TO INHALE DIESEL EXHAUST FUMES THROUGH THE LEFT SIDE PASSENGER WINDOWS.

NHTSA ID
10787152
Incident
Oct 22, 2015
Mileage
230,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Nov 26, 1997

WIRE SHORTED OUT CAUSING ELECTRICAL FAILURES.

NHTSA ID
525432
Incident
Jan 30, 1997

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

International Harvester 3800 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2001021—
2000931—
1999921—
1998411—
1997331—
1996Viewing230—
1995840—
1994340—
1993140—
1992050—
1991150—
1989030—
1988020—
1987120—
1986020—
1985020—
1984020—
1983020—
1982030—
1981020—
1980010—
1979010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.