- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2003 International 8600 Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 2003 International 8600 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 6 recalls, the latest in May 2023 for the back up lights.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical 8600 year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
2003 International 8600 recalls 6
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
- The problem
- 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 fix
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The problem
- On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with dana spicer e-12021 12,000 lb., E-1202w 12,000 lb., Or e-1002w 10,000 lb. Front non-drive steer axles, the tapered bore that connects the drag link to the steering was machined too large. The clearance between a correctly sized drag link ball stud and the oversized tapered bore is sufficiently great enough to allow the drag link ball stud to fatigue and brake, or allow the castle nut to back itself off and cause the drag link to disconnect.
- The risk
- This could result in a total loss of steering control. This could result in property damage, personal injury, or a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the steering knuckle assembly and drag link if necessary. Owner notification began june 20, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact international at 1-800-448-7825.
- The problem
- On certain heavy duty trucks built with a caterpillar engine with a 4 degree tilt, the starter field-stud may contact the frame rail because of variations in the air gap between the field stud and the frame rail. Should the starter field stud contact the frame rail, there would be a direct full battery short to the frame (ground) when the starter is in the cranking mode.
- The risk
- A direct short may create a fire hazard and can result in property damage, personal injury, or death.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the starter nose cone. The new nose cone will reorient the starter stud farther away from the frame rail to completely eliminate the clearance issue. Owner notification began on march 21, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact international at 1-800-448-7825.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 2003 International 8600 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 8600: every year compared
All 8600 years2003 International 8600 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 International 8600 | 0 | 6 | D | |
| 2003 International 4300 | 8 | 4 | D | Compare |
| 2003 International 4400 | 4 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 2003 International 4000 | 1 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 2003 International 1552 | 1 | 1 | D | Compare |
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.
Questions about the 2003 International 8600
Does the 2003 International 8600 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2003 International 8600: back up lights (May 2023); engine and engine cooling (December 2005); fifth wheel assembly (April 2005); cables (June 2004) and more. 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 2003 International 8600 had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 2003 International 8600 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 26 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical International 8600 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 2003 International 8600 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