1979 International Harvester S Series
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
Vehicles › International Harvester › S Series › 1979
These records cover every 1979 International Harvester S Series. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 1979 International Harvester S Series. Newest first.
Engine and brake backup system have common electrical power source; engine could die from electrical failure of the main power feed from the alternator.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could result in brake failure which could result ina crash without prior warning.
Remedy
Separate engine and brake back up circuits.
The engine shutdown cable located between the dash board and firewall, may interfere with the accelerator linkage.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Engine shutdown cable will be rerouted and strapped down as necessary.
The nuts which fasten the tie rod ends to the steering arms may not have been tightened to the specified 150 ft-lb torque. Insufficiently tightened tie rod end nuts could loosen, break off the locking cotter pin, and allow the tie rod to disengage from the steering arm.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
The dealer will remove the locking cotter pin, tighten the nut to 150 ft-lbs and reinstall the cotter pin. Both left and right tie rod ends will be tightened. This will be done at no charge.
The pitman arm pinch bolt which holds the pitman arm to the steering gear output shaft may not have been tightened to the correct specifications. As a result sufficient clamp force will not be maintained and the long life and high mileage integrity of the steering joint may be degraded.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Dealer will tighten the pinch bolt to specifications at no cost to owner.
As a result of severe shock and vibrations, the brake spiders on the involved vehicles may develop cracks near the camshaft mounting boss. The crack propagates across the spider until the camshaft boss IS completely severed from the remainder of the spider. When the camshaft boss has completely severed, the s-cam, s-cam bracket, air chamber and slack…
Risk and remedy
Remedy
The dealer will replace the front brake spiders on all affected vehicles used in snow plow dump and refuse hauling applications. This will be done at no charge.
Every International Harvester S Series model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.