VehicleVerdict

2012 International Terrastar problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 2012 International Terrastar — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

1

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other Terrastar years?

Terrastar NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted2 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 1 complaints2013: 2 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 1 complaints2016: 0 complaints2017: 0 complaints
Terrastar NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Terrastar years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 International Terrastar problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering1100%

Does the 2012 International Terrastar have recalls?

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

15V241000Visibility & WipersApril 22, 2015 · 82,736 units

Defect

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 International DuraStar, ProStar, TranStar and WorkStar, 2012-2015 International TerraStar, 2013-2015 International LoneStar and IC Bus HC, and 2014-2015 IC Bus AC vehicles. A vehicle double battery jump start or electrical load dump event could result in an overvoltage condition of a component within the HVAC system linear power module (LPM) which is used to control the blower speed. The overvoltage condition could result in the overheating and failure of the LPM.

Consequence

If the LPM overheats and fails, there is an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy

Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the LPM with an upgraded one, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on June 18, 2015. A second notification will mailed when parts become available. The recall began on August 6, 2015. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 15509.

14V063000Electrical SystemFebruary 19, 2014 · 538 units

Defect

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 International DuraStar Trucks and 2012-2014 International TerraStar trucks intended for emergency vehicle operations manufactured from February 25, 2010, through February 18, 2013, and equipped with 2010 MaxxForce 7 V8 diesel engines. In the affected vehicles, the Engine Warning Protection Shutdown (EWPS) was inadvertently re-enabled when the Engine Control Module (ECM) was recalibrated.

Consequence

If the Engine Warning Protection System is enabled and certain engine faults occur, the emergency vehicle may shutdown (EWPS) hampering rescue operations and increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the ECM software to ensure that the EWPS is disabled, free of charge. The recall began on March 12, 2014. Owners may contact Navistar at 1-331-332-5000. Navistar's recall number for this campaign is 14505.

13V146000Visibility & WipersApril 17, 2013 · 14,720 units

Defect

Navistar is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 International Lonestar, model year 2012-2013 International Terrastar and model year 2011-2013 International DuraStar, ProStar, TranStar, and WorkStar commercial trucks manufactured from June 1, 2010, through March 7, 2012 and equipped with day cab codes 16CAB, 16030, or 16196 and feature codes 16WCE, 16WCR, 16XWD, 16XWE, 16XWV, 16XXB, 16XXD, 16XXE, 16XXG, or 16XYN sun shades. The sun shade may not be properly secured to the cab roof panel which may result in partial or full separation of the sun shade from the roof panel.

Consequence

If the sun shade separates from the cab roof during vehicle operation, the sudden release of the sun shade could distract the driver increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and strengthen the sun shade mounting, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 10, 2013. Owners may contact Navistar at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's campaign number is 13505.

12V170000SteeringApril 17, 2012 · 234 units

Defect

NAVISTAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 INTERNATIONAL TERRASTAR TRUCKS, MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 23, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 16, 2011 AND EQUIPPED WITH A SHEPPARD M83 STEERING GEAR (FEATURE CODE 05PSN). THE FASTENER ATTACHING THE PITMAN ARM TO THE STEERING GEAR SHIFT MAY HAVE BEEN OVER TIGHTENED. AS A RESULT, THE SECURING BOLT MAY FAIL AND THE PITMAN ARM MAY SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS, A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF CRASH RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH.

Remedy

NAVISTAR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PITMAN ARM FASTENERS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL began on ABOUT JUNE 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NAVISTAR AT 1-800-448-7825.

11V290000Fuel SystemMay 18, 2011 · 3,375 units

Defect

NAVISTAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 IC AC, BE, CE, HC AND INTERNATIONAL 4300, AND TERRASTAR COMMERCIAL TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 25, 2010, THROUGH APRIL 4, 2011, AND EQUIPPED WITH A MAXXFORCE 7 ENGINE. A CAP ON THE RETURN FUEL VALVE MAY FALL OFF ALLOWING AIR TO BE DRAWN INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM POSSIBLY RESULTING IN ENGINE HARD START, NO START, OR STALL CONDITIONS.

Consequence

ENGINE STALL ON THE ROADWAY INCREASES THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

NAVISTAR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RETURN FUEL VALVE CAP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NAVISTAR AT 1-800-448-7825.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

I BOUGHT A NEW 2012 INTERNATIONAL TERRASTAR FLATBED TOW TRUCK IN NOVEMBER 2012. I HAVE HAD STEERING PROBLEMS FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. THE TRUCK WENT BACK TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, BUT IT COULD NEVER BE FIXED, EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER SAID IT WAS FIXED. AT THIS TIME THE STEERING WHEEL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · November 21, 2012

2012 International Terrastar — common questions

Is the 2012 International Terrastar reliable?

The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2012 International Terrastar have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 International Terrastar. 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.