VehicleVerdict

2003 International 4400 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 4 complaints on file for the 2003 International 4400 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

4

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other 4400 years?

4400 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted4 complaints1997: 0 complaints1998: 0 complaints1999: 0 complaints2002: 0 complaints2003: 4 complaints2004: 3 complaints2005: 2 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 1 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 1 complaints2012: 0 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 0 complaints2017: 0 complaints
4400 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 4400 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 International 4400 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes375%
Engine125%

Does the 2003 International 4400 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

03V317000BrakesAugust 27, 2003 · 686 units

Defect

CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY AIR SUPPLY HOSES FROM THE FOOT VALVE TO THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY AIR TANKS WERE IMPROPERLY ROUTED AT THE TANK.

Consequence

IF THE PRIMARY AIR CIRCUIT IS DAMAGED, THE BRAKES WILL NOT APPLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE COMPLETED BY OCTOBER 3, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE 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.

03V024000BrakesJanuary 28, 2003 · 146 units

Defect

CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES AND HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS BUILT WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKES AND AN AIR POWERED PARKING BRAKE (BRAKE CODE 04GAS) FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE MONITOR MODULE WAS NOT INSTALLED ON CERTAIN VEHICLES.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE BRAKE MONITOR MODULE, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON DURING THE INITIAL KEY-ON CYCLE AND WILL NOT COME ON TO WARN THE OPERATOR IF THERE IS A LOSS OF HYDRAULIC PRESSURE IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM, A LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLOW, OR IF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BOOSTER MOTOR IS NOT FUNCTIONING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE MONITOR MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS BEGAN DURING FEBRUARY 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.

02V260000BrakesSeptember 20, 2002 · 11,204 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MEDIUM AND HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS BUILT WITH DRIVELINE PARKING BRAKE CODES 04GAR, THE PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY MAY NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE IN POSITION WHEN SET. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THIS POSSIBILITY ARE AS FOLLOWS: (1) CRACKED OR BROKEN CAMS; (2) LOOSE OR BROKEN ANCHOR BOLTS; (3) INITIAL SHOE DIAMETER NOT SET PROPERLY DURING ASSEMBLY, WHICH CAN LEAD TO PROGRESSIVE COMPONENT DAMAGE; (4) BENT ADJUSTER LEVERS THAT CANNOT FUNCTION; OR (5) AUTOMATIC ADJUSTER CABLES THAT ARE DISCONNECTED.

Consequence

IF THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL, WITHOUT WARNING, AFTER THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER HAS BEEN SET, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CAM, LEVER, AND BOLT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 30, 2002. 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.

02V095000SteeringMarch 22, 2002 · 155 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE COTTER PIN THAT GOES THROUGH THE DRAG LINK BALL STUD AT THE CONNECTION TO THE PITMAN ARM IS MISSING. THIS PIN PREVENTS THE CASTLE NUT FROM LOOSENING.

Consequence

IF THE NUT LOOSENS AND COMES COMPLETELY OFF THE DRAG LINK BALL STUD, THE DRAG LINK COULD DETACH RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND INSTALL A COTTER PIN IF IT IS MISSING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 15, 2002. 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“IT WAS RAINING BRAKES FAILED I REARENDED A CAR ON 8-16-04 AN INTERNATIONAL DEALER FOUND FAULTS IN THE ABS AND NOTHING WAS DONE TO REPAIR THEY FOUND A VALVE RELAY SHORTED TO GROUND OUTPUT PIN SHORTED TO GROUND NOTHING WAS DONE TO REPAIR. *AK REFERENCE NO 10097158 THIS TRUCK MY COMPANY VOULANTEERLY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 23, 2004 · crash

“WE'VE HAD TWO ENGINE FAILURES WITH THIS TRUCK. THE FIRST OCCURRED AT 121,000 MILES WHEN AN O-RING ON A CYLINDER SLEEVE FAILED LETTING COOLANT FILL THE CRANKCASE AND REQUIRING A COMPLETE ENGINE OVERHAUL THAT COST US OVER $6,000 DOLLARS. THE TRUCK WAS MORE THAN 3 YEARS OLD SO WE HAD TO PAY FOR THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 9, 2009

2003 International 4400 — common questions

Is the 2003 International 4400 reliable?

The record is thin — 4 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2003 International 4400 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 International 4400. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.