NHTSA vehicle safety data
2003 International 8600 Recalls & Complaints
The 2003 International 8600 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized International dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 International 8600. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2003 International 8600 owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2003 International 8600, describing incidents dated February 25, 2003.
Most-cited components
- Electrical System 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #10011372 · Filed
INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER HAD PREVIOUSLY DIAGNOSED A "LOOSE WIRE" AS THE CAUSE AND REPLACED IT, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED.*JB
Obstructed Back-Up Lights/ FMVSS 108
NHTSA #23V353000 · Exterior Lighting — Back Up Lights · NHTSA notice
Reported May 18, 2023 · Navistar, Inc.
Potentially affected: 32,880 vehicles
Repair completion: 34.18% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 23514 · Owners notified May 6, 2024
Defect description
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."
Safety consequence
Low visibility or obstructed back up lights may not alert other drivers that the vehicle is backing up, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
ENGINE ELECTRICAL GROUND CABLE/CATERPILLAR
NHTSA #05V567000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice
Reported December 21, 2005 · INTERNATIONAL TRUCK & ENGINE CORPORATION
Potentially affected: 6,848 vehicles
International campaign 05523 · Owners notified December 21, 2005
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
INTERNATIONAL RECALL NO.05523.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO 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.
FIFTH WHEEL SLIDE CONTROL
NHTSA #05V188000 · Trailer Hitches — Fifth Wheel Assembly · NHTSA notice
Reported April 28, 2005 · INTERNATIONAL TRUCK & ENGINE CORPORATION
Potentially affected: 4,616 vehicles
International campaign 05511 · Owners notified August 5, 2005 · Vehicles built October 10, 2001 – March 21, 2005 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
INTERNATIONAL RECALL NO.05511. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO 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.
INTERNATIONAL/BATTERY CABLE
NHTSA #04V306000 · Electrical System — 12V/24V/48V Battery — Cables · NHTSA notice
Reported June 30, 2004 · INTERNATIONAL TRUCK & ENGINE CORPORATION
Potentially affected: 18,545 vehicles
International campaign 04510 · Owners notified August 16, 2004 · Vehicles built April 23, 2002 – May 20, 2004 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
THIS COULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND/OR FIRE.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
INTERNATIONAL RECALL NO. 04510. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
INTERNATIONAL/STEER AXLES
NHTSA #03V192000 · Steering — Linkages · NHTSA notice
Reported May 21, 2003 · INTERNATIONAL TRUCK & ENGINE CORPORATION
Potentially affected: 711 vehicles
International campaign 03509 · Owners notified June 20, 2003 · Vehicles built June 21, 2002 – May 5, 2003 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
THIS COULD RESULT IN A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THIS COULD RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, OR A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
INTERNATIONAL RECALL NO. 03509.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
INTERNATIONAL/STARTER BOLT CONTACTS FRAME RAIL
NHTSA #03V070000 · Electrical System — Starter Assembly · NHTSA notice
Reported March 6, 2003 · INTERNATIONAL TRUCK & ENGINE CORPORATION
Potentially affected: 142 vehicles
International campaign 03504 · Owners notified March 21, 2003 · Vehicles built September 3, 2002 – January 30, 2003 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
A DIRECT SHORT MAY CREATE A FIRE HAZARD AND CAN RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
INTERNATIONAL RECALL NO.03504.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 8600 model years
Check your 2003 International 8600 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your International 8600 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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