NHTSA vehicle safety data
1997 Navistar 3800 Recalls & Complaints
The 1997 Navistar 3800 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Navistar dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Navistar 3800. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
1997 Navistar 3800 owner complaints
Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Navistar 3800, describing incidents dated August 1, 1998.
Most-cited components
- Seats 2 complaints
Together, the 2 complaints on file report 4 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #541596 · Filed
BUS SEATS HAVE SHARP WELDS IN CENTER OF SEATS CAUSING STUDENTS LEGS TO BE CUT.
ODI #541419 · Filed
SCHOOL BUS SEATS HAVE SHARP WELD IN CENTER OF SEAT CAUSING STUDENT TO BE CUT ON THE LEGS.
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1997 Navistar 3800 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Preliminary Evaluation PE98-004: UNDERHOOD FIRES
Closed April 21, 1998
NAVISTAR/AIR BRAKE LINE
NHTSA #99V331000 · Service Brakes, Air — Supply — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice
Reported November 23, 1999 · INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE
Potentially affected: 277 vehicles
Owners notified December 1, 1999 · Vehicles built August 12, 1997 – September 27, 1999 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUS. AN AIR BRAKE LINE CONTROLLING THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE TOO CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST PIPE AND COULD RUPTURE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT WARNING.
Safety consequence
EXHAUST PIPE HEAT CAN MELT OR CAUSE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THIS AIR LINE IF THE AIR LINE IS ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST PIPE.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ELBOW FITTING AND REROUTE THE AIR LINE. THE AIR LINE WILL ALSO BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF FOUND TO BE DAMAGED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 1, 1999. 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 NAVISTAR AT 1-800-448-7825. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
NAVISTAR/TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
NHTSA #99V033001 · Steering — Linkages — Rod — Relay — Connecting · NHTSA notice
Reported February 16, 1999 · INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE
Potentially affected: 40,091 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign 99501 · Owners notified March 29, 1999 · Vehicles built May 1, 1996 – October 31, 1997 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
SCHOOL, TRANSIT, OR HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPICER 6,000 OR 8,000 LB. FRONT STEER AXLES. THE TIE ROD END CAN PULL OUTBOARD AND SEPARATE FROM THE TIE ROD TUBE DUE TO IMPROPER THREAD ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE MALE TIE ROD END AND THE FEMALE TUBE.
Safety consequence
SEPARATION OF THE TIE ROD END COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COMPLETE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 29, 1999. 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 NAVISTAR AT 1-800-448-7825.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
NAVISTAR/FUEL LEAK
NHTSA #98V291000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine — Gasoline · NHTSA notice
Reported November 9, 1998 · INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE
Potentially affected: 22,032 vehicles
Owners notified December 15, 1998 · Vehicles built January 2, 1997 – November 7, 1997 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH T444E DIESEL ENGINES. A FUEL LEAK CAN OCCUR BECAUSE OF OVERCRIMPING OF THE HOSE END FITTINGS ON THE HOSE FROM THE REGULATOR TO THE LEFT HEAD AND THE HOSE FROM THE FUEL TRANSFER PUMP TO THE REGULATOR.
Safety consequence
FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE OIL HOSE AND PLACE AN ADDITIONAL CONVOLUTED LOOM AROUND THE EXISTING OIL HOSE, OR REPLACE THE HOSE ASSEMBLY.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DURING DECEMBER 1998.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 NAVISTAR AT 1-800-448-7825.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
NAVISTAR/ACCELERATOR PEDAL ROD
NHTSA #97V143002 · Vehicle Speed Control — Accelerator Pedal · NHTSA notice
Reported September 8, 1997 · INTERNATIONAL TRUCK & ENGINE CORPORATION
Potentially affected: 3,292 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign 97508 · Owners notified January 22, 1998 · Vehicles built November 1, 1996 – July 1, 1997 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BUSES AND HEAVY TRUCK CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS N-14, CATERPILLAR, AND DETROIT DIESEL ELECTRONIC ENGINES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ROD MATERIAL IS EXCESSIVELY BRITTLE AND CAN BREAK DURING A FULL THROTTLE APPLICATION.
Safety consequence
THE UNEXPECTED BREAKAGE CAN RESULT IN THE INABILITY TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE PROPERLY INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC ACCELERATOR PEDAL RODS WITH NEW RODS.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN JANUARY 6, 1998.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 NAVISTAR AT 1-800-448-7825.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
NAVISTAR/ACCELERATOR PEDAL ROD
NHTSA #97V143001 · Vehicle Speed Control — Accelerator Pedal · NHTSA notice
Reported September 8, 1997 · INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE
Potentially affected: 2,235 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign 97508 · Owners notified October 9, 1997 · Vehicles built December 16, 1996 – March 10, 1997 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BUSES AND HEAVY TRUCK CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH T444E ENGINES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ROD MATERIAL IS EXCESSIVELY BRITTLE AND CAN BREAK DURING A FULL THROTTLE APPLICATION.
Safety consequence
THE UNEXPECTED BREAKAGE CAN RESULT IN THE INABILITY TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE PROPERLY INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC ACCELERATOR PEDAL RODS WITH NEW RODS.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN OCTOBER 9, 1997. 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 NAVISTAR AT 1-800-448-7825.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Other Navistar 3800 model years
Check your 1997 Navistar 3800 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Navistar 3800 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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