NHTSA vehicle safety data
2003 International 3800 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2003 International 3800 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 0 owner complaints on file as of October 16, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized International dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 International 3800. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
NHTSA #04V269000Reported June 3, 2004 · INTERNATIONAL TRUCK & ENGINE CORPORATION
Potentially affected: 81,883 vehicles
Defect description
ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES AND TRUCK MODEL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN FEBRUARY 28, 1999, THROUGH APRIL 5, 2004, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) MAY MISINTERPRET A CORRUPT WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL.
Safety consequence
THE CORRUPT WHEEL SPEED SIGNALS MAY IMPROPERLY ACTIVATE THE ABS, INSTEAD OF DEACTIVATING THE ABS. THIS MAY RESULT IN THE DRIVER EXPERIENCING A HARD PEDAL FEEL AND A DECREASE IN DECELERATION AT THE END OF THE STOP, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES WHICH COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH.
Manufacturer remedy
INTERNATIONAL WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND INSPECT AND REPAIR THE AFFECTED VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 1, 2004. 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 CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-327-4236.
Notes
ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
NHTSA #04V250000Reported May 27, 2004 · INTERNATIONAL TRUCK & ENGINE CORPORATION
Potentially affected: 5,999 vehicles
Defect description
ON CERTAIN SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES THE STUDS USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO THE ENGINE BLOCK CAN FAIL, RESULTING IN ENGINE OIL LEAKAGE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE POWER ASSIST TO BOTH THE STEERING SYSTEM AND THE HYDRAULIC BRAKING SYSTEM. SHOULD STUD FAILURE CAUSE THE PUMP TO BECOME DISENGAGED FROM ITS DRIVE GEARS, A REDUCTION OF THE FLUID FLOW RATE TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM COULD OCCUR AND POSSIBLY CAUSE AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AS WELL AS INCREASED STEERING WHEEL EFFORTS.
Safety consequence
SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING WILL IMPAIR THE VEHICLE OPERATOR, POSSIBLE RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
INTERNATIONAL WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND ALL VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND ANY SUSPECT STUDS WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 24,2004. 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.
Notes
ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
NHTSA #03V062000Reported February 25, 2003 · INTERNATIONAL TRUCK & ENGINE CORPORATION
Potentially affected: 35,074 vehicles
Defect description
ON CERTAIN SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES BUILT WITH BOSCH ZERO OFFSET PIN SLIDE (ZOPS) HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES, THE ZOPS HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES MAY EXPERIENCE CALIPERS STICKING IN THE APPLIED POSITION, WHICH CAN RESULT IN EXCESSIVE OR ABNORMAL HEAT GENERATION AT ONE OR MORE OF THE BRAKES.
Safety consequence
THE COMBINATION OF THE FOLLOWING FACTORS MAY COLLECTIVELY RESULT IN AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY: POTENTIAL FIRE AT A WHEEL END, HIGH INCIDENT RATES OF STUCK CALIPERS, AND EVACUATION AND CONTAINMENT CONCERNS RELATING TO MULTIPLE PASSENGERS.
Manufacturer remedy
INTERNATIONAL WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 29, 2004.
Notes
INTERNATIONAL RECALL NO. 03502/04501.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Other International 3800 model years
Check your 2003 International 3800 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your International 3800 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check an International VIN