1999 International Harvester 3800: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
9 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
20,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 9 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 55.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
Electrical System: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Service Brakes, Air: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 5 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
2001: 3; 2003: 3; 2004: 1; 2008: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10031908 · 2003-07-25 (July 25, 2003)
THE REAR BRAKES OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING. THE DRIVER REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO A MECHANIC WHO CHECKED THE REAR BRAKES AND FOUND THEM TO BE OK; NO DRAG. THE MECHANIC TEST DROVE AND RECHECKED THE BUS BUT STILL FOUND NO BRAKE DRAG. *MR *CB *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10031908 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031910 · 2003-07-25 (July 25, 2003)
DURING AN INSPECTION THE TECHNICIAN FOUND SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE HEATING OF CALIPERS AND WEAR OF PADS. *MR *CB
Owner-reported narrative. 10,490 miles reported. Look up ODI 10031910 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032452 · 2003-07-25 (July 25, 2003)
PROBLEMS WITH FRONT BRAKES OVERHEATING, ROTORS ARE WARPED. EXCESSIVE DRAG ON FRONT BRAKES, ABS SENSOR DAMAGED DUE TO HEAT. REPLACED ROTORS, CALIPER, AND PADS ON FRONT AXLE. OVER $800.00 IN REPAIRS. *MR *CB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032452 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048398 · 2004-01-12 (January 12, 2004)
THE BUS GAUGES FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *PH CONSUMER OWNS THREE OF THE SAME VEHICLES AND ALL EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT. FAILURE OCCURS WHILE MOVING OR AT A STOP. SOMETIMES IT WOULD OCCUR 7 TIMES IN A DAY THEN NOTHING FOR A FEW MORE DAYS. THERE'S NO PATTERN. THE SPEEDOMETER HEAD, AND SPEED SENSOR HAS BEEN CHANGED AND CLEANED BUT TO NO AVAIL. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10048398 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10234961 · 2008-07-20 (July 20, 2008)
INSTRUMENT PANEL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10234961 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10234962 · 2008-07-20 (July 20, 2008)
INSTRUMENT PANEL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10234962 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 755207 · 2001-12-03 (December 3, 2001)
INTERMITTENT LIGHT ON DASH INDICATING ANTI - LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM NOT FUNCTIONING.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 755207 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 755220 · 2001-12-03 (December 3, 2001)
INTERMITTENT LIGHT ON DASH, INDICATING ANTI - LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 755220 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V062000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
Reported: 2003-02-25 (February 25, 2003)
ON CERTAIN SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES BUILT WITH BOSCH ZERO OFFSET PIN SLIDE (ZOPS) HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES, THE ZOPS HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES MAY EXPERIENCE CALIPERS STICKING IN THE APPLIED POSITION, WHICH CAN RESULT IN EXCESSIVE OR ABNORMAL HEAT GENERATION AT ONE OR MORE OF THE BRAKES.
Consequence: 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 RATES OF STUCK CALIPERS, AND EVACUATION AND CONTAINMENT CONCERNS RELATING TO MULTIPLE PASSENGERS.
Remedy: INTERNATIONAL WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 29, 2004.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V269000 · Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Wheel Speed Sensor
Reported: 2004-06-03 (June 3, 2004)
ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES AND TRUCK MODEL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN FEBRUARY 28, 1999, THROUGH APRIL 5, 2004, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) MAY MISINTERPRET A CORRUPT WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL.
Consequence: THE CORRUPT WHEEL SPEED SIGNALS MAY IMPROPERLY ACTIVATE THE ABS, INSTEAD OF DEACTIVATING THE ABS. THIS MAY RESULT IN THE DRIVER EXPERIENCING A HARD PEDAL FEEL AND A DECREASE IN DECELERATION AT THE END OF THE STOP, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES WHICH COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH.
Remedy: INTERNATIONAL WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND INSPECT AND REPAIR THE AFFECTED VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 1, 2004. 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 INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-327-4236.
NHTSA campaign record ↗