- The problem
- Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2021-2024 International LT and RH trucks. The engine control module (ECM) may be unresponsive to throttle pedal application, which can cause the vehicle to unexpectedly slow to idle speed on the road.
- The risk
- A vehicle that unexpectedly slows to idle speed on the roadway can increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will update the ECM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Navistar's customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 23509.
Engine & cooling
2021 International LT Engine problems
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2021 International LT's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 33% of all its complaints, most recently on December 3, 2021. They describe 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
- Complaints
- 1
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 0
Engine recalls for the 2021 International LT
- The problem
- Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2018-2021 International HV, 2018-2020 International HX, 2018-2021 International LT and International RH vehicles. The connecting rod wrist pin may crack, resulting in connecting rod failure.
- The risk
- Connecting rod failure can cause an engine shutdown, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will install new knock detection software to warn the driver prior to engine connecting rod failure, and replace connecting rods as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2023. Owners may contact Navistar's customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 22518.
- The problem
- Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2019-2021 International LT and RH trucks. The wrist pin may crack and cause connecting rod failure.
- The risk
- Connecting rod failure may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Navistar will notify owners and dealers will install a detection system software to warn the driver prior to engine connecting rod failure and engines with a defective connecting rod will be repaired, free of charge. Vehicles previously repaired under Recall 20V255 that received only a software update will need to return to the dealer for the new remedy. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 21505.
- The problem
- Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2021 International LT vehicles equipped with a Cummins X15 engine. The capscrews that attach the flywheel to the crankshaft may have been improperly torqued, allowing the flywheel to detach.
- The risk
- A detached flywheel can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, driveline pieces may be ejected from the engine compartment, increasing the risk of injury.
- The fix
- Navistar will work with the engine manufacturer Cummins Inc. to notify owners, and Cummins dealers will properly tighten the capscrews and inspect for possible damage, repairing any damage found, free of charge. The recall began on March 29, 2021. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825.
- The problem
- Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2018-2021 International LoneStar and 2017-2021 International LT vehicles. The battery ground cable ring terminal at the frame connecting point may break, resulting in a loss of electrical power and unintended engine shutdown without warning.
- The risk
- An unexpected engine shutdown can increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the battery ground cable, free of charge. The recall began on April 16, 2021. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 21501.
Engine complaints
I drive tractor trailer for JB Hunt. Over the last 4 Years, the three trucks I have been assigned to have had exhaust leaks that vented into the cab. One was a Freightliner (approx 2017 model), and two have been Internationals. These exhaust leaks caused me medical problems, requiring that I take off time unscheduled. The last three trucks I have been assigned to have had exhaust leaks into the cab. Some leaks I only found with a thermal camera. The exhaust leaks are not the main problem. The problem is that...
Read the full complaint
design of these trucks cause any leaking engine gases to be pushed into the cab of the truck, mostly through the air conditioning/heater vents. I have tested this. I zip tied a can of orange air freshener under the hood. The can was positioned in such a way as to point away from the air intake box, toward the back of the engine. When driving at highway speed, the orange air freshener was very strong coming into the cab from the a/c vents. The truck is supposed to be getting the fresh air from outside the truck, and forward of where the air freshener was spraying. I originally thought the only problem was that the cabin air intake box is located under the hood, in immediate proximity to all of the leaks. This in itself is a poor design. Even with duct tape over the openings into the cabin air box, any gases (or air freshener) is immediately pulled into the cab through the a/c and heat. I have no idea how this occurs. The design of the trucks allows any leaking gases under the hood to come directly into the cab. This applies to Freightliners and Internationals. They have the same basic design, and by experience I can say that both perform the same way. The hoods on both truck makes are designed with dedicated pathways to provide pure outside air for the intake of the ENGINE. The air provided to the driver comes from an unsealed airbox located under the hood. The main problem is not the leaks but that they get vented into the driver's cabin. The engine crankcase ventilation pours large volumes of exhaust gases and oil vapors into the engine bay of the truck. This is a design flaw. The crankcase exhaust exits to the inside of the frame, at the front left of the engine, approximately central vertically under the hood. This continually fills the engine bay with exhaust gases and vapors.
International LT engine complaints by year
LT engine problems, every yearSource: 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