2020 International Lt problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure (1) · Forward Collision Avoidance (1)
Safety recalls (9)
Service Brakes, Air:antilock:control Unit/Module 2025-11-25 · campaign 25V817000 · 678 vehicles
Defect: International Motors, LLC (International) is recalling certain 2016 7600, 2016-2023 Lonestar, 2018 8600, 2018-2023 LT, 2021-2026 MV, 2022-2023 RH, 2023-2026 HX, and 2025-2026 HV vehicles. Electrical noise and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly process commands or stop working.
Risk: Safety systems that depend on the ECU, such as Automatic Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Active Cruise Control, and Collison Mitigation System, may have diminished or lost functionality, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: International will work with Bendix to reprogram the ECU, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 19, 2026. Owners may contact International's customer service at 1-800-448-7825. International's number for this recall is 25525. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 12, 2026.
Exterior Lighting:back Up Lights 2023-05-18 · campaign 23V353000 · 32,880 vehicles
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
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.
Fix: 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.
Engine 2022-09-15 · campaign 22V691000 · 7,918 vehicles
Defect: Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2018-2021 International HV, 2018-2020 International HX, 2018-2021 International LT and International RH vehicles. The connecting rod wrist pin may crack, resulting in connecting rod failure.
Risk: Connecting rod failure can cause an engine shutdown, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install new knock detection software to warn the driver prior to engine connecting rod failure, and replace connecting rods as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2023. Owners may contact Navistar's customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 22518.
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables 2022-07-28 · campaign 22V546000 · 8,483 vehicles
Defect: Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2018-2021 International LoneStar and 2016-2021 International LT vehicles. The cables that connect the batteries to the vehicle frame may become excessively hot, and in some cases, cause battery post separation.
Risk: Excessively hot battery ground cables may cause personal injury during battery maintenance repairs. In addition, a battery post that separates from the battery can result in an engine stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the alternator positive and ground cables, and relocate the alternator ground to the starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 26, 2022. Owners may contact Navistar's customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 22516.
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables 2022-03-17 · campaign 22V164000 · 2,804 vehicles
Defect: Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2018-2023 International LT vehicles equipped with a 1500W Purkeys inverter system. The positive battery cable may be incorrectly routed, causing it to chafe on the side skirt frame and become damaged.
Risk: A damaged battery cable can cause an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace any damaged battery cables and install new inverter cable brackets and saddles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 16, 2022. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 22507.
Engine 2021-04-22 · campaign 21V281000 · 10,038 vehicles
Defect: Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2019-2021 International LT and RH trucks. The wrist pin may crack and cause connecting rod failure.
Risk: Connecting rod failure may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Navistar will notify owners and dealers will install a detection system software to warn the driver prior to engine connecting rod failure and engines with a defective connecting rod will be repaired, free of charge. Vehicles previously repaired under Recall 20V255 that received only a software update will need to return to the dealer for the new remedy. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number
Engine 2021-02-17 · campaign 21V079000 · 27,457 vehicles
Defect: Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2018-2021 International LoneStar and 2017-2021 International LT vehicles. The battery ground cable ring terminal at the frame connecting point may break, resulting in a loss of electrical power and unintended engine shutdown without warning.
Risk: An unexpected engine shutdown can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the battery ground cable, free of charge. The recall began on April 16, 2021. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 21501.
Engine 2020-05-07 · campaign 20V255000 · 5,277 vehicles
Defect: Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2018-2020 International LT and 2019-2020 International RH trucks. The wrist pin bushing of the engine connecting rod may fail.
Risk: Connecting rod failure may result in an unexpected engine shutdown, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Navistar will notify owners and dealers will install a detection system to warn the driver prior to engine connecting rod failure, and engines with a defective connecting rod will be repaired, free of charge. The recall began July 8, 2020. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 20504.
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 2019-02-26 · campaign 19V122000 · 24,173 vehicles
Defect: Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2016-2020 International LT and 2017-2018 Prostar 73-inch sleeper cab models equipped with feature code 07BKP or 07BKR (exhaust system with horizontal after treatment device and horizontal tailpipe mounted on right side). In the affected vehicles, the rear exhaust hanger bracket may crack, which can cause the forward hanger bracket to also crack. If both brackets crack, the exhaust tail pipe may detach from the vehicle.
Risk: If the exhaust tail pipe detaches from the vehicle while being driven, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear exhaust hanger bracket and replace any forward bracket found cracked and any exhaust tailpipe found damaged, free of charge. The recall began April 23, 2019. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 19501.
Service bulletins (251)
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.
Electrical System 2026-07-21 · IK1900198 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this article only applies to models w/ 0016uzl built between 06/23/2014 – 05/11/2020 or models w/ 0016uzl w/ safety recall 14516 completed reference the appropriate technician manual for models outside of this population. safety recall 14516 has been issued for units built before june 23, 2014. for
Electrical System 2026-06-09 · IK0800560 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this document will guide the user through the changes of the dielectric grease/coatings used in certain areas on all international vehicles built after 1/8/2018. international's electrical engineering team made this change to improve the longevity of the oem coatings and to improve applications at t
Electrical System 2026-05-22 · 26101 · Service Campaign
certain international® trucks and ic bustm ce series buses may have out of date bcm programing that may cause erroneous fault codes after a vehicle sits for 2 or 3 days.
Engine 2026-04-15 · IK2600297 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this document enables technicians to: 1. accurately identify international® a26b engine control systems. 2. understand the programming requirements and system behavior. 3. perform programming tasks independently without needing technical support.
Engine 2026-04-15 · IK2600298 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this document enables technicians to: 1. accurately identify international® a26a engine control systems. 2. understand the programming intricacies related to these systems. 3. perform programming tasks independently without needing technical support.
Electrical System 2026-04-07 · 26101 · Service Campaign
certain international® trucks and ic bustm ce series buses may have out of date bcm programing that may cause erroneous fault codes after a vehicle sits for 2 or 3 days.
Showing the 6 most recent of 251 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-06-01 · Forward Collision Avoidance · 290,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 international lt625 truck. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced unintended braking. the contact stated that the forward collision avoidance warning light illuminated; however, the contact stated there was no object nearby or in the roadway. the vehicle was taken to the dealer…”
2022-01-28 · Structure“related complaint tracking number: 11442614 the engine crankcase ventilation pours large volumes of exhaust gases and oil vapors into the engine bay of the truck. this is a design flaw. the crankcase exhaust exits to the inside of the frame, at the front left of the engine, approximately central vertically under the hood. this continually fills…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.