RoadVitals

2003 International 8600

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.
1
Latest Mar 11, 2003
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.
6
Latest May 18, 2023
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 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2003 International 8600, most frequently naming the electrical category. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 90 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

  • Electrical1100.0%

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

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

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
23V353000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS

May 18, 2023
32,880 units potentially affected
The defect: Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2000-2003 International 8100, 2001-2003 International 9100i, 2001-2007 International 9400i, 2001-2010 International 9200i, 2002-2007, 2009 International 8500, 2003-2007, 2013 International 9900i, 2003-2018 International 8600, 2004, 2007 International 9900iX, 2008-2018 International ProStar, 2010-2011, 2013, 2016 International LoneStar, 2011-2012, 2016 International 4400, 2017-2024 International LT, 2018-2024 International RH, 2019-2021 International LS, 2019-2024 International MV vehicles. The back-up lights offer low visibility when the vehicle is in reverse and bobtail mode. Also, the vehicles have not been equipped with additional unobstructed back-up lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: Low visibility or obstructed back up lights may not alert other drivers that the vehicle is backing up, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the existing rear stop/turn signal lights, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 06, 2024. Owners may contact Navistar's customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 23514.
Navistar, Inc.Manufacturer number 23514View on NHTSA.gov
05V567000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Dec 21, 2005
6,848 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR DIESEL ENGINES, THE ENGINE ELECTRICAL GROUND CABLE THAT CONNECTS THE ENGINE BLOCK WITH THE STARTER MAY BE ROUTED IN A WAY THAT COULD CAUSE CHAFING AGAINST THE STARTER'S POSITIVE BATTERY CABLES.
The risk: IF CHAFING OCCURS BETWEEN THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE CABLES, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MAY RESULT AND MAY CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ENGINE GROUND CABLES FOR PROPER ROUTING. IF ANY CHAFING IS FOUND, THE ENGINE BLOCK GROUND CABLE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SHORTER (280MM) CABLE AND ANY OTHER DAMAGED CABLES WILL BE REPLACED AND ROUTED CORRECTLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INTERNATIONAL AT 1-800-448-7825.
INTERNATIONAL TRUCK & ENGINE CORPORATIONManufacturer number 05523View on NHTSA.gov
05V188000

TRAILER HITCHES:FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY

Apr 28, 2005
4,616 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR OPERATED FIFTH WHEEL SLIDES AND AN MSVA 7-PACK ACCESSORY CONTROLLER, THE 7-PACK CAN ALLOW WATER TO CONTAMINATE ITS CIRCUIT BOARD. THIS COULD RESULT IN INADVERTENT OPERATION OF THE FIFTH WHEEL SLIDE CONTROL.
The risk: IF THE SLIDE CONTROL ACTUATES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, MOMENTUM FROM THE TRAILER CAN CAUSE THE FIFTH WHEEL TO SLIDE WITHOUT INPUT FROM THE DRIVER, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE MSVA 7-PACK TO A LESS WATER INTENSIVE ENVIRONMENT. A NEW MSVA 7-PACK BASE, THAT HAS BEEN IMPROVED TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION, AND ALL AIR ACCESSORY SOLENOIDS WILL BE INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INTERNATIONAL AT 1-800-448-7825.
INTERNATIONAL TRUCK & ENGINE CORPORATIONManufacturer number 05511View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Electrical
Filed Mar 11, 2003

INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER HAD PREVIOUSLY DIAGNOSED A "LOOSE WIRE" AS THE CAUSE AND REPLACED IT, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED.*JB

NHTSA ID
10011372
Incident
Feb 25, 2003

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

IK4300035

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This tool is designed to compare Diamond Logic feature data across multiple vehicle configuration files. It allows users to quickly load files either manually or directly from the Diamond Logic Builder Vehicles folder using VIN-based selection. As files are added or removed, the comparison runs automatically with no manual action required. The program presents results in an interactive table that shows feature codes, descriptions, access levels, and whether each feature is present in each selected file. Built-in search, filtering, and sorting make it easy to locate specific features or focus only on differences between files. Column visibility can be customized to show or hide descriptions and access information as needed. Users can remove files individually or clear all files at once, with results updating instantly. The tool also includes reporting and export options that reflect exactly what is visible on screen, allowing results to be printed, copied, saved as text, or exported to CSV for use in Excel or other spreadsheet tools. Overall, the program streamlines the process of comparing vehicle feature configurations, helping users quickly identify differences, validate setups, and document results without manual comparison or external tools.

IK2600047

ENGINE

Engine replacements for all International engines will need to follow this procedure.

IK1600272

STRUCTURE:BODY

This document will guide the user through a step-by-step procedure for detecting water leaks in vehicle cabs and windshields using an ultrasonic sound detector.

IK0600030

POWER TRAIN

This document will guide the user through understanding Prop Shaft Codes and understanding the variations of prop codes. (Metric Prop codes start with the number a 4 and Non metric Prop codes start with a 2.)

IK1201009

STRUCTURE:BODY

In some geographic areas, ambient temperatures reaching below 15°F (-10 °C), including high levels of humidity, an operator may experience engine stalling, low performance, and or poor aftertreatment performance. This is caused by condensation accumulating and freezing within the Charge Air Cooler (CAC); affecting air flow into the engine. This article lists all the currently available winter front covers that can be installed on the front grille and bumper to reduce cold air flow to the engine compartment.

IK3400001

Title: Service Portal iKNow Feedback Case Types Applies To: All

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

International 8600 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2018020—
2017010—
2016010—
2015010—
2014010—
2013021—
2012010—
2011130—
2010030—
2009020—
2008050—
2007050—
2006040—
2005040—
2004060—
2003Viewing160—
2002030—

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.