2012 International Terrastar problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (1)
Safety recalls (5)
Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:fan/Motor 2015-04-22 · campaign 15V241000 · 82,736 vehicles
Defect: Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 International DuraStar, ProStar, TranStar and WorkStar, 2012-2015 International TerraStar, 2013-2015 International LoneStar and IC Bus HC, and 2014-2015 IC Bus AC vehicles. A vehicle double battery jump start or electrical load dump event could result in an overvoltage condition of a component within the HVAC system linear power module (LPM) which is used to control the blower speed. The overvoltage condition could result in th
Risk: If the LPM overheats and fails, there is an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the LPM with an upgraded one, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on June 18, 2015. A second notification will mailed when parts become available. The recall began on August 6, 2015. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 15509.
Electrical System:software 2014-02-19 · campaign 14V063000 · 538 vehicles
Defect: Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 International DuraStar Trucks and 2012-2014 International TerraStar trucks intended for emergency vehicle operations manufactured from February 25, 2010, through February 18, 2013, and equipped with 2010 MaxxForce 7 V8 diesel engines. In the affected vehicles, the Engine Warning Protection Shutdown (EWPS) was inadvertently re-enabled when the Engine Control Module (ECM) was recalibrated.
Risk: If the Engine Warning Protection System is enabled and certain engine faults occur, the emergency vehicle may shutdown (EWPS) hampering rescue operations and increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the ECM software to ensure that the EWPS is disabled, free of charge. The recall began on March 12, 2014. Owners may contact Navistar at 1-331-332-5000. Navistar's recall number for this campaign is 14505.
Visibility 2013-04-17 · campaign 13V146000 · 14,720 vehicles
Defect: Navistar is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 International Lonestar, model year 2012-2013 International Terrastar and model year 2011-2013 International DuraStar, ProStar, TranStar, and WorkStar commercial trucks manufactured from June 1, 2010, through March 7, 2012 and equipped with day cab codes 16CAB, 16030, or 16196 and feature codes 16WCE, 16WCR, 16XWD, 16XWE, 16XWV, 16XXB, 16XXD, 16XXE, 16XXG, or 16XYN sun shades. The sun shade may not be properly secured to the cab roof panel which
Risk: If the sun shade separates from the cab roof during vehicle operation, the sudden release of the sun shade could distract the driver increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and strengthen the sun shade mounting, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 10, 2013. Owners may contact Navistar at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's campaign number is 13505.
Steering:gear Box:shaft Pitman 2012-04-17 · campaign 12V170000 · 234 vehicles
Defect: NAVISTAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 INTERNATIONAL TERRASTAR TRUCKS, MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 23, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 16, 2011 AND EQUIPPED WITH A SHEPPARD M83 STEERING GEAR (FEATURE CODE 05PSN). THE FASTENER ATTACHING THE PITMAN ARM TO THE STEERING GEAR SHIFT MAY HAVE BEEN OVER TIGHTENED. AS A RESULT, THE SECURING BOLT MAY FAIL AND THE PITMAN ARM MAY SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS, A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF CRASH RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH.
Fix: NAVISTAR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PITMAN ARM FASTENERS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL began on ABOUT JUNE 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NAVISTAR AT 1-800-448-7825.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap 2011-05-18 · campaign 11V290000 · 3,375 vehicles
Defect: NAVISTAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 IC AC, BE, CE, HC AND INTERNATIONAL 4300, AND TERRASTAR COMMERCIAL TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 25, 2010, THROUGH APRIL 4, 2011, AND EQUIPPED WITH A MAXXFORCE 7 ENGINE. A CAP ON THE RETURN FUEL VALVE MAY FALL OFF ALLOWING AIR TO BE DRAWN INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM POSSIBLY RESULTING IN ENGINE HARD START, NO START, OR STALL CONDITIONS.
Risk: ENGINE STALL ON THE ROADWAY INCREASES THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: NAVISTAR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RETURN FUEL VALVE CAP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NAVISTAR AT 1-800-448-7825.
Service bulletins (186)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-02-05 · IK2600090 · Other
new carb idle reduction change request
Electrical System 2026-02-03 · IK4300035 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this tool is designed to compare diamond logic feature data across multiple vehicle configuration files. it allows users to quickly load files either manually or directly from the diamond logic builder vehicles folder using vin-based selection. as files are added or removed, the comparison runs auto
Engine 2026-01-26 · IK2600255 · Other
this document provides guidance for assessing the feasibility of implementing a customer-requested change to an engine or vehicle parameter/feature. customer requested changes will be approved in accordance with the requirements specified in 40 cfr part 1037 to ensure continued compliance with green
Engine 2026-01-02 · IK2600047 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
engine replacements for all international engines will need to follow this procedure.
Structure:body 2025-12-19 · IK1600272 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this document will guide the user through a step-by-step procedure for detecting water leaks in vehicle cabs and windshields using an ultrasonic sound detector.
Power Train 2025-12-05 · IK0600030 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this document will guide the user through understanding prop shaft codes and understanding the variations of prop codes. (metric prop codes start with the number a 4 and non metric prop codes start with a 2.)
Showing the 6 most recent of 186 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2014-12-07 · Steering · 700 mi“i bought a new 2012 international terrastar flatbed tow truck in november 2012. i have had steering problems from the day i bought it. the truck went back to the dealer on numerous occasions, but it could never be fixed, even though the dealer said it was fixed. at this time the steering wheel constantly vibrates and on two occasions the steering w…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.