1998 Navistar 3800: complaints, problems and recalls

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 …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 729642 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 1998-09-17 (September 17, 1998)

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.

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

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

Reported: 1998-11-09 (November 9, 1998)

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.

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.

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.

Reported: 1998-11-09 (November 9, 1998)

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.

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE OIL HOSE AND PLACE AN ADDITIONAL CONVOLUTED LOOM AROUND THE EXISTING OIL HOSE, OR REPLACE THE HOSE ASSEMBLY.

Reported: 1999-02-16 (February 16, 1999)

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.

Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE TIE ROD END COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COMPLETE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY.

Reported: 1999-09-21 (September 21, 1999)

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.

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.

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.

Reported: 1999-11-23 (November 23, 1999)

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.

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.

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.