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.
The worst 2003 International 8600 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical1
Recalls 6
Exterior lighting: back up lights
- 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 cooling
- 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 assembly
- 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: cables
- 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: linkages
- 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 assembly
- 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
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.
- This article provides guidance to dealership personnel, Technical Services personnel, Dealer Service...
- This tool is designed to compare Diamond Logic feature data across multiple vehicle configuration files
- Engine replacements for all International engines will need to follow this procedure.
- This document will guide the user through a step-by-step procedure for detecting water leaks in vehicle...
- This document will guide the user through understanding Prop Shaft Codes and understanding the variations...
- In some geographic areas, ambient temperatures reaching below 15°F (-10 °C), including high levels of...
- Title: Service Portal iKNow Feedback Case Types Applies To: All
- Title: Driveline Information Center and Troubleshooting Procedures Applies To: All Vehicles
- Title: A/C Refrigerant and Oil Capacities Applies To: All current models
- Title: Fan belt replacement guidelines for frayed edges Applies To: All Models
What 2003 International 8600 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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