Model year record

1997 INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER 4700

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 20 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V083000

Seats

Component
Seats
Manufacturer
INTERNATIONAL TRUCK & ENGINE CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
2,418
Reported to NHTSA
2003-03-06
Owners notified
2003-03-31

Defect description

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH BOSTROM DRIVER SEAT MODELS 910, 910SC, OR 914 AND INTERNATIONAL'S PARKING BRAKE CODE 04036, IF SOMEONE OUTSIDE THE CAB ADJUSTS/SLIDES THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO ITS MOST FORWARD POSITION, WITH THE PARKING BRAKE SET, THE SEAT WILL CONTACT AND RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER.

Safety risk

IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS ACCIDENTALLY RELEASED, THE VEHICLE COULD MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A STOP-BRACKET ON THE SEAT TRACK TO LIMIT THE TRAVEL OF THE SEAT SO THAT THE SEAT CANNOT RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 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 campaignNHTSA 96V240000

Suspension: rear

Component
Suspension: rear
Manufacturer
INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE
Vehicles affected
233
Reported to NHTSA
1996-11-27
Owners notified
1996-12-13

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES AND HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH REAR AXLE ASSEMBLIES PRODUCED BY DANA SPICER. CERTAIN REAR AXLE ASSEMBLIES WERE IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED WHICH COULD ALLOW PINION BREAKAGE AT THE PINION THREADS.

Safety risk

CRACKS CAN INITIATE AND RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE THREADED END OF THE PINION RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE YOKE AND DRIVE LINE FROM THE REAR AXLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR AXLE CARRIER/PINION ASSEMBLY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V233002

Suspension: rear

Component
Suspension: rear
Manufacturer
INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE
Vehicles affected
1,133
Reported to NHTSA
1996-11-22
Owners notified
1996-12-03

Defect description

THE DRIVE AXLE HOUSINGS CONSIST OF A PLATE STEEL CENTER SECTION AND TWO FORGED SPINDLES, ONE OF WHICH IS WELDED TO EACH END OF THE CENTER SECTION. EACH SPINDLE CONTAINS A KEYWAY SLOT IN WHICH THE LOCKING TAB FOR THE WHEEL BEARING NUT LOCKING MECHANISM IS INSERTED. THE LENGTH OF THE KEYWAY SLOT MAY NOT BE LONG ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE THE TAB CAUSING THE TAB TO BE DEFORMED OR DAMAGED DURING INSTALLATION.

Safety risk

THIS LOCKING TAB PREVENTS THE WHEEL BEARING NUT FROM LOOSENING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IF THIS TAB IS DEFORMED, THE NUT CAN LOOSEN ALLOWING THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE AXLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVE AXLE HOUSING NUTS WITH A CONVENTIONAL WHEEL NUT HARDWARE SYSTEM.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V154000

Steering: steering wheel/handle bar

Component
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
Manufacturer
INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE
Vehicles affected
215
Reported to NHTSA
1996-08-20
Owners notified
1996-09-06

Defect description

THE STEERING COLUMN USED WAS INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED. THE TUBE PORTION OF THE STEERING COLUMN HAS A WELDED END WITH A SPECIFIED LENGTH OF 5.5 INCHES. A 3.5 INCH WELDED END WAS USED BY MISTAKE. WITH THE SHORTER END, IT IS POSSIBLE THERE IS INSUFFICIENT ENGAGEMENT OF THE MALE END INTO THE TUBE PORTION AND SEPARATION OF THE COLUMN COULD OCCUR.

Safety risk

SHOULD THE COLUMN SEPARATE, THE OPERATOR WOULD LOSE STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INCORRECTLY BUILT STEERING COLUMN WITH A NEW CORRECTLY BUILT STEERING COLUMN.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly4
Vehicle speed control4
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank1
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical1
Power train: axle assembly: banjo housing1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Steering1
Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting1
Tires1

The 1996 model has 4 times as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has 10 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.