Check a VIN

2003 International 8600 problems

The most common problem on the 2003 International 8600 is electrical system. Its complaint count is close to a typical 8600 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
1
Recalls
6
Service bulletins
91
Worst area
Electrical

The worst 2003 International 8600 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Electrical
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Electrical
    1

Recalls 6

Exterior lighting: back up lightsReported May 18, 2023 · 32,880 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 LS, 2019-2024 International MV vehicles. The back-up lights offer low visibility when the vehicle is in reverse and bobtail mode. Also, the vehicles have not been equipped with additional unobstructed back-up lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 23V353000 · Recall details

Engine and engine coolingReported December 21, 2005 · 6,848 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with caterpillar diesel engines, the engine electrical ground cable that connects the engine block with the starter may be routed in a way that could cause chafing against the starter's positive battery cables.
Risk
If chafing occurs between the positive and negative cables, an electrical short may result and may cause a vehicle fire, possibly resulting in property damage, personal injury or death.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the engine ground cables for proper routing. If any chafing is found, the engine block ground cable will be replaced with a shorter (280mm) cable and any other damaged cables will be replaced and routed correctly free of charge. The recall began on december 21, 2005. Owners may contact international at 1‑800‑448‑7825.

Recall number 05V567000 · Recall details

Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assemblyReported April 28, 2005 · 4,616 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain vehicles equipped with air operated fifth wheel slides and an msva 7-pack accessory controller, the 7-pack can allow water to contaminate its circuit board. This could result in inadvertent operation of the fifth wheel slide control.
Risk
If the slide control actuates while the vehicle is in motion, momentum from the trailer can cause the fifth wheel to slide without input from the driver, which could result in a crash without warning.
Remedy
Dealers will relocate the msva 7-pack to a less water intensive environment. A new msva 7-pack base, that has been improved to prevent water intrusion, and all air accessory solenoids will be installed free of charge. The recall began on august 5, 2005. Owners may contact international at 1‑800‑448‑7825.

Recall number 05V188000 · Recall details

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery: cablesReported June 30, 2004 · 18,545 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with international dt530, cummins, or caterpillar I-6 engines, the positive battery cable between the batteries and the starter may rub against an electrical ground cable between the starter and frame rail.
Risk
This could cause an electrical short and/or fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect for any chafing. If there is no evidence of chafing, a saddle clamp will be installed. If there is evidence of chafing, the damaged cables will be replaced and the saddle clamp installed. The recall began on august 16, 2004. Owners should contact international at 1‑800‑448‑7825.

Recall number 04V306000 · Recall details

Steering: linkagesReported May 21, 2003 · 711 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with dana spicer e-12021 12,000 lb., e-1202w 12,000 lb., or e-1002w 10,000 lb. Front non-drive steer axles, the tapered bore that connects the drag link to the steering was machined too large. The clearance between a correctly sized drag link ball stud and the oversized tapered bore is sufficiently great enough to allow the drag link ball stud to fatigue and brake, or allow the castle nut to back itself off and cause the drag link to disconnect.
Risk
This could result in a total loss of steering control. This could result in property damage, personal injury, or a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the steering knuckle assembly and drag link if necessary. Owner notification began june 20, 2003. 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.

Recall number 03V192000 · Recall details

Electrical system: starter assemblyReported March 6, 2003 · 142 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain heavy duty trucks built with a caterpillar engine with a 4 degree tilt, the starter field-stud may contact the frame rail because of variations in the air gap between the field stud and the frame rail. Should the starter field stud contact the frame rail, there would be a direct full battery short to the frame (ground) when the starter is in the cranking mode.
Risk
A direct short may create a fire hazard and can result in property damage, personal injury, or death.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the starter nose cone. The new nose cone will reorient the starter stud farther away from the frame rail to completely eliminate the clearance issue. Owner notification began on march 21, 2003. 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.

Recall number 03V070000 · Recall details

See all 6 recalls for the 2003 International 8600

Technical service bulletins for the 2003 International 8600 91

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 91 bulletins for the 2003 International 8600

What 2003 International 8600 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 11, 2003 · Electrical · CA

Instrument panel lights failed intermittently without warning. The dealer had previously diagnosed a "loose wire" as the cause and replaced it, however the problem recurred.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2003 International 8600 before you buy

Compare the 2003 International 8600

Other model years

20032011

Questions about the 2003 International 8600

Is the 2003 International 8600 reliable?

Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2003 International 8600, close to a typical 8600 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 International 8600?

Electrical system, with 1 complaint.

How many recalls does the 2003 International 8600 have?

6 recalls, covering exterior lighting, engine and engine cooling and trailer hitches.

Was there a recall on the 2003 International 8600 electrical?

Yes, 2 recalls: 04V306000, 03V070000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

Share your experience with the 2003 International 8600

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2003 International 8600?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN