The worst 1999 Navistar 3800 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
Recalls 6
Service brakes, air: supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: school bus. An air brake line controlling the rear brakes may be too close to the exhaust pipe and could rupture at any time without warning.
- Risk
- Exhaust pipe heat can melt or cause premature failure of this air line if the air line is routed too close to the exhaust pipe.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new elbow fitting and reroute the air line. The air line will also be inspected and replaced if found to be damaged from the exhaust pipe.
Recall number 99V331000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks built with rear leaf spring suspensions (models 4700 built with rear leaf suspensions and manufactured from december 9, through december 16, 1998; models 3400 and 3800 built with 14sbk rear leaf spring suspensions and built april 14 through may 10, 1999; and models 3400 and 3800 built with rear leaf spring suspensions and manufactured from may 10 through may 18, 1999). On vehicles where the frame to axle hose length was too long, a chafing condition exists on suspension components, which could result in hose rupture. On vehicles where the hoses are too short, a hose separation could occur with severe suspension articulation.
- Risk
- If a hose ruptures, the rear brakes will fail increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Short hoses will be replaced and the long hoses will have a hose routing kit installed to prevent any chafing problems.
Recall number 99V262000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: transit and school buses built with ABS air brake ecu and a 100 gallon fuel tank mounted between the rails and behind the rear axle on models with a 276" wheel base. The ABS ecu interfered with the cross member mounted behind the rear axle and in front of the between the rails fuel tank. This created a no-build situation at the plant - the plant would either eliminate or relocate the cross member or move the ecu as needed.
- Risk
- If the cross member is either missing or relocated the vehicle may not have adequate fuel tank protection. In the event of a crash, the bus may not have adequate fuel tank protection if the vehicle has a missing or improperly installed crossmember.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure all cross members are properly installed. If the cross member is not installed correctly or is missing, the dealer will repair or install the cross member.
Recall number 99V263000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks, transit and school buses, equipped with meritor air brake automatic slack adjusters. Some of the automatic slack adjusters had insufficient torque applied to the guide pawl cap screw.
- Risk
- Without sufficient torque on the guide pawl cap screw, the brakes could gradually lose adjustment, increasing the vehicle stopping distance.
- Remedy
- Dealers will check the torque on the automatic slack adjuster guide pawl. If there is no torque, the brakes will be adjusted and the guide pawl will be tightened to 15-20 ft. Lbs.
Recall number 99V055001 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with a t444e diesel engine. The high pressure oilline for the fuel injection system that goes from the high pressure oil pump to the right cylinder head can chafe against the charge air cooler crossover pipe.
- Risk
- If this condition occurs, the hose will fail, resulting in a sudden loss of oil, causing the engine to have a sudden loss of power.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the hoses and if the hose is not damaged a convoluted hose will be placed over the current hose. If the hose is damaged, it will be replaced along with the convoluted hose.
Recall number 98V289000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with a 1710 drive line and a 12 x 4 hydraulic parking brake. If the brake drum or transmission yoke are not fully seated when the eight bolts are installed connecting the 3-piece joint, the bolts can loosen.
- Risk
- Bolts will eventually work out or shear resulting in drum and drive shaft separation.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the torque of these bolts and re-torque to specification.
Recall number 98V228000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1999 Navistar 3800 2
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
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Questions about the 1999 Navistar 3800
Is the 1999 Navistar 3800 reliable?
Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 1999 Navistar 3800.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Navistar 3800?
There are not enough complaints to tell.
How many recalls does the 1999 Navistar 3800 have?
6 recalls, covering service brakes, air, service brakes, hydraulic and fuel system, gasoline.
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