2003 International 8500

Routine

No owner complaints are on file for this vehicle. It has been recalled 3 times.

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Back Up Lights23V353000
Filed May 18, 202332,880 vehiclesNavistar, Inc.

Defect. 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."

Risk. Low visibility or obstructed back up lights may not alert other drivers that the vehicle is backing up, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Trailer Hitches › Fifth Wheel Assembly05V188000
Filed Apr 28, 20054,616 vehiclesInternational Truck & Engine Corporation

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

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.

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery › Cables04V306000
Filed Jun 30, 200418,545 vehiclesInternational Truck & Engine Corporation

Defect. 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.

Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND/OR FIRE.

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.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2011
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20110100Routine
20100100Routine
20090300Routine
20080100Routine
20070300Routine
20060200Routine
20050300Routine
20040500Routine
2003 — this page0300Routine
20020300Routine
20010100Routine

Compare every 8500 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 18, 2023. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.