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Vehicle safety record

2002 International 8500 Problems, complaints & recalls

No owner complaints about the 2002 International 8500 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in May 2023 for the back up lights.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical 8500 year, for its age

Complaints
0
Recalls
3
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

2002 International 8500 recalls 3

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Exterior lighting: back up lights

23V35300032,880 vehicles affected

The problem
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 fix
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.

Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly

05V1880004,616 vehicles affected

The problem
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 fix
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.

Electrical system: cables

04V30600018,545 vehicles affected

The problem
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with international dt530, cummins, or caterpillar i-6 engines, the positive battery cable between the batteries and the starter may rub against an electrical ground cable between the starter and frame rail.
The risk
THIS COULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND/OR FIRE.
The fix
Dealers will inspect for any chafing. If there is no evidence of chafing, a saddle clamp will be installed. If there is evidence of chafing, the damaged cables will be replaced and the saddle clamp installed. The recall began on august 16, 2004. Owners should contact international at 1-800-448-7825.

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No complaints about the 2002 International 8500 yet

No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.

International 8500: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20060200-B
20050300-C
20040500-D
20030300-C
20020300-C
20010100-A
All 8500 years

2002 International 8500 vs rivals

VehicleComplaintsRecallsCrashesGrade
2002 International 8500030C
2002 International 4300590DCompare
2002 International 3800420CCompare
2002 International 4000131DCompare

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2002 International 8500

Does the 2002 International 8500 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2002 International 8500: back up lights (May 2023); fifth wheel assembly (April 2005); cables (June 2004). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

How many complaints has the 2002 International 8500 had?

None have been filed with NHTSA so far.

Is the 2002 International 8500 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical International 8500 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

What should I do if my 2002 International 8500 has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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