RoadVitals

2012 International Terrastar

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 Dec 7, 2014
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.
5
Latest Apr 22, 2015
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 2012 International Terrastar, most frequently naming the steering category. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 186 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

  • Steering1100.0%

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

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
15V241000

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

Apr 22, 2015
82,736 units potentially affected
The defect: Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 International DuraStar, ProStar, TranStar and WorkStar, 2012-2015 International TerraStar, 2013-2015 International LoneStar and IC Bus HC, and 2014-2015 IC Bus AC vehicles. A vehicle double battery jump start or electrical load dump event could result in an overvoltage condition of a component within the HVAC system linear power module (LPM) which is used to control the blower speed. The overvoltage condition could result in the overheating and failure of the LPM.
The risk: If the LPM overheats and fails, there is an increased risk of a fire.
The remedy: Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the LPM with an upgraded one, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on June 18, 2015. A second notification will mailed when parts become available. The recall began on August 6, 2015. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 15509.
Navistar, Inc.Manufacturer number 15509View on NHTSA.gov
14V063000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Feb 19, 2014
538 units potentially affected
The defect: Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 International DuraStar Trucks and 2012-2014 International TerraStar trucks intended for emergency vehicle operations manufactured from February 25, 2010, through February 18, 2013, and equipped with 2010 MaxxForce 7 V8 diesel engines. In the affected vehicles, the Engine Warning Protection Shutdown (EWPS) was inadvertently re-enabled when the Engine Control Module (ECM) was recalibrated.
The risk: If the Engine Warning Protection System is enabled and certain engine faults occur, the emergency vehicle may shutdown (EWPS) hampering rescue operations and increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the ECM software to ensure that the EWPS is disabled, free of charge. The recall began on March 12, 2014. Owners may contact Navistar at 1-331-332-5000. Navistar's recall number for this campaign is 14505.
Navistar, Inc.Manufacturer number 14505View on NHTSA.gov
13V146000

VISIBILITY

Apr 17, 2013
14,720 units potentially affected
The defect: Navistar is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 International Lonestar, model year 2012-2013 International Terrastar and model year 2011-2013 International DuraStar, ProStar, TranStar, and WorkStar commercial trucks manufactured from June 1, 2010, through March 7, 2012 and equipped with day cab codes 16CAB, 16030, or 16196 and feature codes 16WCE, 16WCR, 16XWD, 16XWE, 16XWV, 16XXB, 16XXD, 16XXE, 16XXG, or 16XYN sun shades. The sun shade may not be properly secured to the cab roof panel which may result in partial or full separation of the sun shade from the roof panel.
The risk: If the sun shade separates from the cab roof during vehicle operation, the sudden release of the sun shade could distract the driver increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and strengthen the sun shade mounting, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 10, 2013. Owners may contact Navistar at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's campaign number is 13505.
Navistar, Inc.Manufacturer number 13505View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Steering
Filed Dec 7, 2014

I BOUGHT A NEW 2012 INTERNATIONAL TERRASTAR FLATBED TOW TRUCK IN NOVEMBER 2012. I HAVE HAD STEERING PROBLEMS FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. THE TRUCK WENT BACK TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, BUT IT COULD NEVER BE FIXED, EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER SAID IT WAS FIXED. AT THIS TIME THE STEERING WHEEL CONSTANTLY VIBRATES AND ON TWO OCCASIONS THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK SO VIOLENTLY THAT I COULD NOT CONTROL THE TRUCK. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES, IN TRAFFIC, TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10662657
Incident
Nov 21, 2012
Mileage
700 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

IK2600090

ENGINE

New CARB Idle Reduction Change Request

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.

IK2600255

ENGINE

This document provides guidance for assessing the feasibility of implementing a customer-requested change to an engine or vehicle parameter/feature. Customer requested changes will be approved in accordance with the requirements specified in 40 CFR Part 1037 to ensure continued compliance with greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations.

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.)

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 Terrastar by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2017010—
2016020—
2015120—
2014030—
2013240—
2012Viewing150—
2011010—
2010000—
2009000—
2008000—
2007000—
2006000—
2005000—
2004000—
2003000—
2002000—
2001000—

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.