NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 International Terrastar Recalls & Complaints

The 2012 International Terrastar has 5 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 2012 International Terrastar. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2012 International Terrastar owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2012 International Terrastar, describing incidents dated November 21, 2012.

Most-cited components

Steering 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10662657 · Filed December 7, 2014
I BOUGHT A NEW 2012 INTERNATIONAL TERRASTAR FLATBED TOW TRUCK IN NOVEMBER 2012. I HAVE HAD STEERING PROBLEMS FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. THE TRUCK WENT BACK TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, BUT IT COULD NEVER BE FIXED, EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER SAID IT WAS FIXED. AT THIS TIME THE STEERING WHEEL…

Read the full complaint

Linear Power Module may Fail

NHTSA #15V241000 · Visibility — Defroster/Defogger/HVAC System — Fan/Motor · NHTSA notice

Reported April 22, 2015 · Navistar, Inc.

Potentially affected: 82,736 vehicles

Repair completion: 79.55% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 15509 · Owners notified August 6, 2015 · Vehicles built November 10, 2010 – March 10, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 International DuraStar, ProStar, TranStar and WorkStar, 2012-2015 International TerraStar, 2013-2015 International LoneStar and IC Bus HC, and 2014-2015 IC Bus AC vehicles. A vehicle double battery jump start or electrical load dump event could result in an overvoltage condition of a component within the HVAC system linear power module (LPM) which is used to control the blower speed. The overvoltage condition could result in the overheating and failure of the LPM.

Safety consequence

If the LPM overheats and fails, there is an increased risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the LPM with an upgraded one, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on June 18, 2015. A second notification will mailed when parts become available. The recall began on August 6, 2015. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 15509.

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.safercar.gov.

Emergency Vehicle may Shutdown

NHTSA #14V063000 · Electrical System — Software · NHTSA notice

Reported February 19, 2014 · Navistar, Inc.

Potentially affected: 538 vehicles

Repair completion: 83.64% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14505 · Owners notified March 12, 2014 · Vehicles built February 25, 2010 – February 18, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 International DuraStar Trucks and 2012-2014 International TerraStar trucks intended for emergency vehicle operations manufactured from February 25, 2010, through February 18, 2013, and equipped with 2010 MaxxForce 7 V8 diesel engines. In the affected vehicles, the Engine Warning Protection Shutdown (EWPS) was inadvertently re-enabled when the Engine Control Module (ECM) was recalibrated.

Safety consequence

If the Engine Warning Protection System is enabled and certain engine faults occur, the emergency vehicle may shutdown (EWPS) hampering rescue operations and increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the ECM software to ensure that the EWPS is disabled, free of charge. The recall began on March 12, 2014. Owners may contact Navistar at 1-331-332-5000. Navistar's recall number for this campaign is 14505.

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.safercar.gov.

Sun Shade Separation

NHTSA #13V146000 · Visibility · NHTSA notice

Reported April 17, 2013 · Navistar, Inc.

Potentially affected: 14,720 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 13505 · Owners notified September 10, 2013 · Vehicles built June 1, 2010 – March 7, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Navistar is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 International Lonestar, model year 2012-2013 International Terrastar and model year 2011-2013 International DuraStar, ProStar, TranStar, and WorkStar commercial trucks manufactured from June 1, 2010, through March 7, 2012 and equipped with day cab codes 16CAB, 16030, or 16196 and feature codes 16WCE, 16WCR, 16XWD, 16XWE, 16XWV, 16XXB, 16XXD, 16XXE, 16XXG, or 16XYN sun shades. The sun shade may not be properly secured to the cab roof panel which may result in partial or full separation of the sun shade from the roof panel.

Safety consequence

If the sun shade separates from the cab roof during vehicle operation, the sudden release of the sun shade could distract the driver increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and strengthen the sun shade mounting, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 10, 2013. Owners may contact Navistar at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's campaign number is 13505.

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.safercar.gov.Navistar's number for this campaign is 13505.

PITMAN ARM SEPARATION

NHTSA #12V170000 · Steering — Gear Box — Shaft Pitman · NHTSA notice

Reported April 17, 2012 · NAVISTAR, INC

Potentially affected: 234 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 12514 · Owners notified June 12, 2012 · Vehicles built August 23, 2011 – November 16, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

NAVISTAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 INTERNATIONAL TERRASTAR TRUCKS, MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 23, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 16, 2011 AND EQUIPPED WITH A SHEPPARD M83 STEERING GEAR (FEATURE CODE 05PSN). THE FASTENER ATTACHING THE PITMAN ARM TO THE STEERING GEAR SHIFT MAY HAVE BEEN OVER TIGHTENED. AS A RESULT, THE SECURING BOLT MAY FAIL AND THE PITMAN ARM MAY SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.

Safety consequence

IF THIS OCCURS, A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF CRASH RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH.

Manufacturer remedy

NAVISTAR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PITMAN ARM FASTENERS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL began on ABOUT JUNE 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NAVISTAR AT 1-800-448-7825.

Notes

NAVISTAR'S CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 12514.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.

RETURN FUEL VALVE/INTERNATIONAL/IC

NHTSA #11V290000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly — Filler Pipe and Cap · NHTSA notice

Reported May 18, 2011 · NAVISTAR, INC

Potentially affected: 3,375 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 11507 · Owners notified July 18, 2011 · Vehicles built February 25, 2010 – April 4, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

NAVISTAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 IC AC, BE, CE, HC AND INTERNATIONAL 4300, AND TERRASTAR COMMERCIAL TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 25, 2010, THROUGH APRIL 4, 2011, AND EQUIPPED WITH A MAXXFORCE 7 ENGINE. A CAP ON THE RETURN FUEL VALVE MAY FALL OFF ALLOWING AIR TO BE DRAWN INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM POSSIBLY RESULTING IN ENGINE HARD START, NO START, OR STALL CONDITIONS.

Safety consequence

ENGINE STALL ON THE ROADWAY INCREASES THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

NAVISTAR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RETURN FUEL VALVE CAP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NAVISTAR AT 1-800-448-7825.

Notes

NAVISTAR'S SAFETY RECALL NO. 11507.OWNERS 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2012 International Terrastar. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

1 owner complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 International Terrastar.

Steering

ODI #10662657

Incident: November 21, 2012 · Filed: December 7, 2014

I BOUGHT A NEW 2012 INTERNATIONAL TERRASTAR FLATBED TOW TRUCK IN NOVEMBER 2012. I HAVE HAD STEERING PROBLEMS FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. THE TRUCK WENT BACK TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, BUT IT COULD NEVER BE FIXED, EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER SAID IT WAS FIXED. AT THIS TIME THE STEERING WHEEL CONSTANTLY VIBRATES AND ON TWO OCCASIONS THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK SO VIOLENTLY THAT I COULD NOT CONTROL THE TRUCK. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES, IN TRAFFIC, TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

Other International Terrastar model years

Check your 2012 International Terrastar VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your International Terrastar at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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