VehicleVerdict

2018 International Lt problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 3 complaints on file for the 2018 International Lt — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 17 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

3

NHTSA complaints

17

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other Lt years?

Lt NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted6 complaints2016: 0 complaints2017: 0 complaints2018: 3 complaints2019: 4 complaints2020: 4 complaints2021: 6 complaints2022: 2 complaints2023: 2 complaints2024: 5 complaints2025: 2 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Lt NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Lt years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 International Lt problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System133%
Engine133%
Steering133%

Does the 2018 International Lt have recalls?

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

25V817000BrakesNovember 25, 2025 · 678 units

Defect

International Motors, LLC (International) is recalling certain 2016 7600, 2016-2023 Lonestar, 2018 8600, 2018-2023 LT, 2021-2026 MV, 2022-2023 RH, 2023-2026 HX, and 2025-2026 HV vehicles. Electrical noise and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly process commands or stop working.

Consequence

Safety systems that depend on the ECU, such as Automatic Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Active Cruise Control, and Collison Mitigation System, may have diminished or lost functionality, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

International will work with Bendix to reprogram the ECU, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 19, 2026. Owners may contact International's customer service at 1-800-448-7825. International's number for this recall is 25525. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 12, 2026.

23V353000LightingMay 18, 2023 · 32,880 units

Defect

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2000-2003 International 8100, 2001-2003 International 9100i, 2001-2007 International 9400i, 2001-2010 International 9200i, 2002-2007, 2009 International 8500, 2003-2007, 2013 International 9900i, 2003-2018 International 8600, 2004, 2007 International 9900iX, 2008-2018 International ProStar, 2010-2011, 2013, 2016 International LoneStar, 2011-2012, 2016 International 4400, 2017-2024 International LT, 2018-2024 International RH, 2019-2021 International LS, 2019-2024 International MV vehicles. The back-up lights offer low visibility when the vehicle is in reverse and bobtail mode. Also, the vehicles have not been equipped with additional unobstructed back-up lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

Low visibility or obstructed back up lights may not alert other drivers that the vehicle is backing up, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the existing rear stop/turn signal lights, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 06, 2024. Owners may contact Navistar's customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 23514.

22V691000EngineSeptember 15, 2022 · 7,918 units

Defect

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2018-2021 International HV, 2018-2020 International HX, 2018-2021 International LT and International RH vehicles. The connecting rod wrist pin may crack, resulting in connecting rod failure.

Consequence

Connecting rod failure can cause an engine shutdown, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will install new knock detection software to warn the driver prior to engine connecting rod failure, and replace connecting rods as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2023. Owners may contact Navistar's customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 22518.

22V546000Electrical SystemJuly 28, 2022 · 8,483 units

Defect

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2018-2021 International LoneStar and 2016-2021 International LT vehicles. The cables that connect the batteries to the vehicle frame may become excessively hot, and in some cases, cause battery post separation.

Consequence

Excessively hot battery ground cables may cause personal injury during battery maintenance repairs. In addition, a battery post that separates from the battery can result in an engine stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the alternator positive and ground cables, and relocate the alternator ground to the starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 26, 2022. Owners may contact Navistar's customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 22516.

22V164000Electrical SystemMarch 17, 2022 · 2,804 units

Defect

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2018-2023 International LT vehicles equipped with a 1500W Purkeys inverter system. The positive battery cable may be incorrectly routed, causing it to chafe on the side skirt frame and become damaged.

Consequence

A damaged battery cable can cause an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will replace any damaged battery cables and install new inverter cable brackets and saddles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 16, 2022. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 22507.

21V079000EngineFebruary 17, 2021 · 27,457 units

Defect

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2018-2021 International LoneStar and 2017-2021 International LT vehicles. The battery ground cable ring terminal at the frame connecting point may break, resulting in a loss of electrical power and unintended engine shutdown without warning.

Consequence

An unexpected engine shutdown can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the battery ground cable, free of charge. The recall began on April 16, 2021. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 21501.

20V255000EngineMay 7, 2020 · 5,277 units

Defect

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2018-2020 International LT and 2019-2020 International RH trucks. The wrist pin bushing of the engine connecting rod may fail.

Consequence

Connecting rod failure may result in an unexpected engine shutdown, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Navistar will notify owners and dealers will install a detection system to warn the driver prior to engine connecting rod failure, and engines with a defective connecting rod will be repaired, free of charge. The recall began July 8, 2020. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 20504.

19V122000EngineFebruary 26, 2019 · 24,173 units

Defect

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2016-2020 International LT and 2017-2018 Prostar 73-inch sleeper cab models equipped with feature code 07BKP or 07BKR (exhaust system with horizontal after treatment device and horizontal tailpipe mounted on right side). In the affected vehicles, the rear exhaust hanger bracket may crack, which can cause the forward hanger bracket to also crack. If both brackets crack, the exhaust tail pipe may detach from the vehicle.

Consequence

If the exhaust tail pipe detaches from the vehicle while being driven, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy

Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear exhaust hanger bracket and replace any forward bracket found cracked and any exhaust tailpipe found damaged, free of charge. The recall began April 23, 2019. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 19501.

18V826000TransmissionNovember 21, 2018 · 21,740 units

Defect

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2019 International HV, MV, 2018-2019 HX, LT, RH, LoneStar, ProStar, WorkStar, and 2018 TranStar automated manual transmission vehicles, equipped with certain Eaton ECA heavy-duty truck clutches. An internal component in the clutch assembly may fail, possibly resulting in unintended vehicle movement.

Consequence

Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the Transmission Control Module (TCM), free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2019. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 18518.

18E094000LightingOctober 5, 2018 · 27,026 units

Defect

Truck-Lite Company, LLC (Truck-Lite) is recalling certain right-hand incandescent halogen headlights, part numbers Truck-Lite 27628C, 27628C7, Navistar 4049970C91, 4049970C92, 4049970C93, and 4049970C94, for installation on Navistar International LT-series trucks. The headlights may have incorrect "VOL" markings when they should be marked as "VOR." These headlights are correctly designed to be visually/optically aimed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associate d Equipment."

Consequence

If the headlights have incorrect markings, when they are replaced, the headlights may be aimed incorrectly, decreasing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Truck-Lite will notify owners and will send them a "DOT VOR" label to install, free of charge. The recall began November 26, 2018. Owners may contact International Trucks Customer Service Center at 1-800-448-7825.

18V588000EngineSeptember 5, 2018 · 26,288 units

Defect

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2017-2018 International ProStar and 9900i trucks, 2018-2019 International LT trucks, 2017-2019 International LoneStar and HX trucks and 2017 International PayStar trucks, equipped with Cummins ISX15 or X15 diesel engines. In certain driving conditions, such as on a long down-hill grade, the fuel line may burst if the fuel pump cooling circuit screen becomes restricted.

Consequence

If the fuel line bursts, fuel may leak onto the road resulting in a roadway hazard for other motorists. The engine may also stall without warning, resulting in the vehicle's inability to restart, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Cummins will notify the affected owners and dealers will replace the nylon fuel line with a steel fuel line, free of charge. Navistar issued owners an interim notification on October 11, 2018. The recall began November 21, 2018. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825, or Cummins customer service at 1-800-286-6467.

18V412000Fuel SystemJune 18, 2018 · 19 units

Defect

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2018-2019 International HX and LT trucks equipped with a Cummins ISX engine and a Wabco 37.4 air compressor. The air compressor discharge line may contact the fuel filter inlet and outlet lines (fuel lines) and the heat generated from the air compressor discharge line may cause heat damage to the fuel lines.

Consequence

Continued heat damage to the fuel lines could cause the fuel lines to rupture, resulting in a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the straight fitting on the air compressor discharge line and the discharge line with a 45-degree fitting and a redesigned discharge line, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2018. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 18511.

18V293000Seat BeltsMay 3, 2018 · 18,665 units

Defect

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2018-2019 International WorkStar, DuraStar, LoneStar, LT, ProStar, RH and IC Bus HC, 2018 International TranStar, 2019 International HV and MV trucks and transit buses. The front driver and passenger seat belt anchor D-ring bolt may break in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Consequence

If the D-ring bolt breaks during a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

Navistar has notified owners, and dealers will replace the D-ring bolt depending on the information found on the seat belt label, free of charge. The recall began May 23, 2018. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 18505.

18V199000Fuel SystemMarch 29, 2018 · 527 units

Defect

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2018-2019 International LT trucks. When the hood is in the closed position, the fender splash panel may rub on the inlet fuel line fitting to the fuel/water separator, causing abrasion damage to the fitting and possibly resulting in a fuel leak.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, fuel leaking onto the roadway may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will trim the splash panel, and replace the fuel/water inlet line if it is damaged, free of charge. The recall began on May 14, 2018. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 18503.

17V792000OtherDecember 11, 2017 · 10,195 units

Defect

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2000-2001 International 4700, 2000-2002 4900, 2001-2003 8100 (TranStar) and 9100I, 2002-2003, 2005, 2007-2009, 2012-2014 and 2016-2018 DuraStar, 2012 and 2014-2017 ProStar, 2014-2015 TerraStar, and 2018 LT trucks. These vehicles are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' fire extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Consequence

In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Navistar will notify owners, instructing them to notify Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-331-332-1590, or contact Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information.

17V406000Fuel SystemAugust 14, 2017 · 224 units

Defect

Navistar Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2018 International LT and HX severe service diesel trucks equipped with Cummins ISX 15L engines. These engines have a fuel pump whose drive gear could possibly slip on its drive shaft, causing a fuel pump function loss, resulting in an engine stall.

Consequence

An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Cummins has notified the owners of the affected vehicles and Cummins dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2017. Owners may contact Cummins customer service at 1-800-286-6467 or Navistar customer service at 1-331-332-1590.

17V174000BrakesMarch 14, 2017 · 2,786 units

Defect

Navistar Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2016-2018 International LT, 2016-2017 International ProStar, 2017-2018 International LoneStar and International RH heavy diesel trucks. The air dryer mounting bracket may fracture, causing air system leaks or a loss of air pressure to the brake system.

Consequence

A loss of brake air pressure could lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air dryer mounting bracket, free of charge. The recall began on May 12, 2017. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for the recall is 17502.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

August 17, 2024 makes a year of when i purchased my 2018 international LTA26 6X4 . The vehicle has been to several shops (Westrux International) where i paid for service that ended up being a recall for (Velocity calibrations) which did not fix the problem. (Southwest) is the next shop i took my…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 1, 2024

TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2018 INTERNATIONAL LT A26 TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL, STEERING BOX FAILED AND CAUSED THE TRUCK TO SWERVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXTRA EFFORT WAS NEEDED TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL UNKNOWN DEALERS HOWEVER, THE MECHANICS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 23, 2020

2018 International Lt — common questions

Is the 2018 International Lt reliable?

The record is thin — 3 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 17 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2018 International Lt have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 17 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 International Lt. 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.