NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 Navistar 3800 Recalls & Complaints

The 1998 Navistar 3800 has 6 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 1998 Navistar 3800. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1998 Navistar 3800 owner complaints

Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Navistar 3800, describing incidents dated November 30, 1999 to August 29, 2000.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 2 complaints
Steering 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #729642 · Filed August 31, 2000
THE SCHOOL BUS DRIVER WAS RETURNING TO THE BUS COMPOUND WHEN THE BRAKE PRESSURE WARNING BUZZER CAME ON. SHE PULLED TO THE GAS PUMPS AND STOPPED HER BUS(SHE HAD BRAKES AT THIS TIME). THE DRIVER STOOD UP AND WAS ABOUT TO EXIT THE BUS WHEN SHE HEARD A "POP" THE ELECTRIC BRAKE ASSIST CAME ON. BRAKE…
ODI #715475 · Filed December 1, 1999
STEERING LOCKS OR REQUIRES MORE EFFORT TO TURN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL IS FIRMLY DEPRESSED. THIS MAY ALSO BE THE REASON WE HAVE SO MANY BRAKE PRESSURE ALARMS GOING OFF. THE DRIVER OFTEN IGNORES THE ALARM OR TURNS THE BUS OFF AND RESTARTS IT TO RESET THE ALARM. ALL 40 OF…

Read all 2 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1998 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

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

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/CROSSMEMBER/ABS BRAKE MOUNTING

NHTSA #99V263000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported September 21, 1999 · INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE

Potentially affected: 105 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 99509 · Owners notified September 27, 1999 · Vehicles built May 20, 1998 – May 6, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT AND SCHOOL BUSES BUILT WITH ABS AIR BRAKE ECU AND A 100 GALLON FUEL TANK MOUNTED BETWEEN THE RAILS AND BEHIND THE REAR AXLE ON MODELS WITH A 276" WHEEL BASE. THE ABS ECU INTERFERED WITH THE CROSS MEMBER MOUNTED BEHIND THE REAR AXLE AND IN FRONT OF THE BETWEEN THE RAILS FUEL TANK. THIS CREATED A NO-BUILD SITUATION AT THE PLANT - THE PLANT WOULD EITHER ELIMINATE OR RELOCATE THE CROSS MEMBER OR MOVE THE ECU AS NEEDED.

Safety consequence

IF THE CROSS MEMBER IS EITHER MISSING OR RELOCATED THE VEHICLE MAY NOT HAVE ADEQUATE FUEL TANK PROTECTION. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE BUS MAY NOT HAVE ADEQUATE FUEL TANK PROTECTION IF THE VEHICLE HAS A MISSING OR IMPROPERLY INSTALLED CROSSMEMBER.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES TO MAKE SURE ALL CROSS MEMBERS ARE PROPERLY INSTALLED. IF THE CROSS MEMBER IS NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY OR IS MISSING, THE DEALER WILL REPAIR OR INSTALL THE CROSS MEMBER.

Notes

INTERNATIONAL RECALL NO. 99509. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 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/OIL HOSE

NHTSA #98V289000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Fuel Injection System · NHTSA notice

Reported November 9, 1998 · INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE

Potentially affected: 16,231 vehicles

Owners notified December 8, 1998 · Vehicles built December 23, 1997 – August 14, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A T444E DIESEL ENGINE. THE HIGH PRESSURE OILLINE FOR THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM THAT GOES FROM THE HIGH PRESSURE OIL PUMP TO THE RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD CAN CHAFE AGAINST THE CHARGE AIR COOLER CROSSOVER PIPE.

Safety consequence

IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE HOSE WILL FAIL, RESULTING IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF OIL, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO HAVE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HOSES AND IF THE HOSE IS NOT DAMAGED A CONVOLUTED HOSE WILL BE PLACED OVER THE CURRENT HOSE. IF THE HOSE IS DAMAGED, IT WILL BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE CONVOLUTED HOSE.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN 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/BRAKE DRUM/TRANSMISSION YOKE

NHTSA #98V228000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Drum — Drum · NHTSA notice

Reported September 17, 1998 · INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE

Potentially affected: 1,809 vehicles

Owners notified October 9, 1998 · Vehicles built July 1, 1997 – July 31, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A 1710 DRIVE LINE AND A 12 X 4 HYDRAULIC PARKING BRAKE. IF THE BRAKE DRUM OR TRANSMISSION YOKE ARE NOT FULLY SEATED WHEN THE EIGHT BOLTS ARE INSTALLED CONNECTING THE 3-PIECE JOINT, THE BOLTS CAN LOOSEN.

Safety consequence

BOLTS WILL EVENTUALLY WORK OUT OR SHEAR RESULTING IN DRUM AND DRIVE SHAFT SEPARATION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE OF THESE BOLTS AND RE-TORQUE TO SPECIFICATION.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 9, 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).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1998 Navistar 3800. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

2 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Navistar 3800.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #729642

Incident: August 29, 2000 · Filed: August 31, 2000

THE SCHOOL BUS DRIVER WAS RETURNING TO THE BUS COMPOUND WHEN THE BRAKE PRESSURE WARNING BUZZER CAME ON. SHE PULLED TO THE GAS PUMPS AND STOPPED HER BUS(SHE HAD BRAKES AT THIS TIME). THE DRIVER STOOD UP AND WAS ABOUT TO EXIT THE BUS WHEN SHE HEARD A "POP" THE ELECTRIC BRAKE ASSIST CAME ON. BRAKE PEDAL ROD CAME OUT OF THE POWER ASSIST HEAD. ROD WAS STILL CONNECTED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS IS THE SECOND ONE OF THESE TO COME APART. THE OTHER WAS REPORTED TO NHTSA JUNE 2000. THE LOCAL DEALER CAN NOT EXPLAIN WHY THE ROD CAME APART. THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE UNIT AND SENT IT TO THE FACTORY? I HAVE (40) 1998 BUSES. I AM VERY CONCERNED THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. WE INSPECTED THE BUSES AND THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL WHEN/IF THE ROD WILL FALL OUT. WHEN THIS ROD FALLS OUT YOU HAVE NO BRAKES! THE PEDAL FALLS TO THE FLOOR.

Steering; Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #715475

Incident: November 30, 1999 · Filed: December 1, 1999

STEERING LOCKS OR REQUIRES MORE EFFORT TO TURN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL IS FIRMLY DEPRESSED. THIS MAY ALSO BE THE REASON WE HAVE SO MANY BRAKE PRESSURE ALARMS GOING OFF. THE DRIVER OFTEN IGNORES THE ALARM OR TURNS THE BUS OFF AND RESTARTS IT TO RESET THE ALARM. ALL 40 OF OUR 1998 BUSES HAVE THE SAME DEFECT. VIN# PWH528774,P6WH528778,P8WH528779,P1WH528784,P9WH528788,P0WH528792,P4WHA528794,P3WH528799,P3WH528804,P7WH528806,P2WH528809,P2WH528812,P4WH528813,P2WH528776,P4WH528777,P6WH528781,P8WH528782,PXWH528783,P5WH528786,P7WH28787,P1WH528798,P8WH528801,PXWH528802,P1WH528803,P9WH528807,P0WH528775,P4WH528780,P3WH528785,P0WH528789,P7WH528790,P9WH528791,P2WH528793,P6WH528795,P8WH528796,PXWH528797,P6WH528800,P5WH528805,P0WH528808,P9WH528810,P0WH528811

Other Navistar 3800 model years

Check your 1998 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.

Check a Navistar VIN