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1998 International Harvester 3800Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 4 owner complaints about the 1998 International Harvester 3800, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints41 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage45kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 20, 2008. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 International Harvester 3800 has problems

4 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system31
Steering10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1998 International Harvester 3800 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Foundation components: disc

Recall 03V-062 · Feb 25, 2003 · 35,074 vehicles

Risk. THE COMBINATION OF THE FOLLOWING FACTORS MAY COLLECTIVELY RESULT IN AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY: POTENTIAL FIRE AT A WHEEL END, HIGH INCIDENT…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with International Harvester.

Best & worst years

1998 vs. every other 3800 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 3800 median. How we score

'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 International Harvester 3800, and the recalls they led to.

  1. OVERHEATING FRONT AND REAR BRAKESEA02034 · closed Feb 10, 2004
    Led to recall 03V-062
In owners' words

What 3800 owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

INSTRUMENT PANEL DOES NOT WORK AND IT IS A PROBLEM THAT COMES FROM INTERNATIONAL AS TOLD TO US BY INTERNATIONAL SERVICE MAN. WE CAN PAY 600 DOLLARS TO HAVE IT FIXED WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY IF IT COMES FROM INTERNATIONAL. WE HAVE 3 BUSES ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB
Complaint 10169672 · Oct 1, 2006
WHILE DRIVING THE OPERATOR SMELLED SOMETHING HOT. UPON STOPPING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE THE OPERATOR SAW FIRE COMMING FROM BEHIND THE MOTOR COMPARTMENT THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL. HE WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE.*AK OUR MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE CLAMPS HOLDING THE…
Complaint 10102431 · Dec 9, 2004 · 69,080 miles

Own a 1998 3800?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.