2003 International 3800: complaints, problems and recalls

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.

Reported: 2004-05-27 (May 27, 2004)

ON CERTAIN SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES THE STUDS USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO THE ENGINE BLOCK CAN FAIL, RESULTING IN ENGINE OIL LEAKAGE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE POWER ASSIST TO BOTH THE STEERING SYSTEM AND THE HYDRAULIC BRAKING SYSTEM. SHOULD STUD FAILURE CAUSE THE PUMP TO BECOME DISENGAGED FROM ITS DRIVE GEARS, A REDUCTION OF THE FLUID FLOW RATE TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM COULD OCCUR AND POSSIBLY CAUSE AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AS WELL AS INCREASED STEERING WHEEL EFFORTS.

Consequence: SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING WILL IMPAIR THE VEHICLE OPERATOR, POSSIBLE RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: INTERNATIONAL WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND ALL VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND ANY SUSPECT STUDS WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 24,2004. 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 AT 1-800-448-7825.

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.