Electrical system: starter assembly (International)
Vehicle recall 03V-070. NHTSA received INTERNATIONAL TRUCK & ENGINE CORPORATION’s report on Mar 6, 2003.
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The short answer
NHTSA received INTERNATIONAL TRUCK & ENGINE CORPORATION’s report on Mar 6, 2003. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
A DIRECT SHORT MAY CREATE A FIRE HAZARD AND CAN RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH.
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.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Electrical system: starter assembly.
What should you do?
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.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: INTERNATIONAL RECALL NO.03504.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 142 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- International 8600and 2003, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by INTERNATIONAL TRUCK & ENGINE CORPORATION.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 20, 2026 and checked Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.