Electrical system IC, IC Bus, International recall

The problem

Navistar is recalling 51,588 heavy trucks, commercial buses and school buses manufactured between november 21, 2000 and may 21, 2008, equipped with one or more remote power modules. The potting material that encapsulates the circuit board of the vehicle's remote power module may not sufficiently seal the circuit board from water and contamination intrusion. If the encapsulation is compromised, water and contaminants may cause an internal electrical short, possibly resulting in a fire.

The risk

A FIRE COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

The fix

Navistar will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on july 10, 2008. Owners may contact navistar at 1-280-461-1890.

Contacts

Navistar recall no. 08505. Customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.Safercar.Gov.

What to do

1. Check your VIN. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls - it shows whether this recall applies to your vehicle and whether the repair has been done.
2. Call a dealer. Any authorized IC, IC Bus, International dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 08V258000.
3. Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
4. Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.