VehicleVerdict

1998 Navistar 4900 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1998 Navistar 4900 — 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.

0

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

Does the 1998 Navistar 4900 have recalls?

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

99V351000BrakesDecember 14, 1999 · 944 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THERE IS INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE AIR BRAKE S-CAM AND THE END OF ONE OF THE KNUCKLE STUDS. AS THE BRAKE SHOE LINING WEARS, THE S-CAM ROTATION MAY BE LIMITED BY THE INTERFERING KNUCKLE STUD. IF THE S-CAM CAN NOT ROTATE THROUGH ITS FULL RANGE OF MOTION, THE BRAKING FORCE CAN NOT BE FULLY TRANSMITTED FROM THE BRAKE SHOE LININGS TO THE BRAKE DRUMS.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE OR A DRAGGING BRAKE CONDITION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL SHORTEN THE INTERFERING KNUCKLE STUD TO ELIMINATE THE CLEARANCE PROBLEM.

99V014002SuspensionMarch 15, 1999 · 4,024 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS 8 HEAVY DUTY TRUCK CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH 16,000 LB., 18,000 LB., OR 20,000 LB. HEAVY DUTY STEERING AXLES. THE INNER WHEEL BEARING CONE FOR THE STEERING AXLE WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY DOES NOT PROPERLY FIT ONTO THE NAVISTAR STEERING AXLE SPINDLE ASSEMBLY. IMPROPER FIT OF THE BEARING TO THE SPINDLE INCREASES THE STRESS LEVELS TO THE STEERING AXLE SPINDLE WHICH COULD CAUSE SPINDLE FAILURE.

Consequence

IF THE SPINDLE FAILS, A LOSS OF DRIVER CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE LEFT AND RIGHT HUB/DRUM ASSEMBLIES FROM THE STEERING AXLES AND REPLACE THE INNER WHEEL BEARING CONES AND CUPS.

99V033001SteeringFebruary 16, 1999 · 40,091 units

Defect

SCHOOL, TRANSIT, OR HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPICER 6,000 OR 8,000 LB. FRONT STEER AXLES. THE TIE ROD END CAN PULL OUTBOARD AND SEPARATE FROM THE TIE ROD TUBE DUE TO IMPROPER THREAD ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE MALE TIE ROD END AND THE FEMALE TUBE.

Consequence

SEPARATION OF THE TIE ROD END COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COMPLETE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY.

98V228000BrakesSeptember 17, 1998 · 1,809 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A 1710 DRIVE LINE AND A 12 X 4 HYDRAULIC PARKING BRAKE. IF THE BRAKE DRUM OR TRANSMISSION YOKE ARE NOT FULLY SEATED WHEN THE EIGHT BOLTS ARE INSTALLED CONNECTING THE 3-PIECE JOINT, THE BOLTS CAN LOOSEN.

Consequence

BOLTS WILL EVENTUALLY WORK OUT OR SHEAR RESULTING IN DRUM AND DRIVE SHAFT SEPARATION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE OF THESE BOLTS AND RE-TORQUE TO SPECIFICATION.

1998 Navistar 4900 — common questions

Is the 1998 Navistar 4900 reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1998 Navistar 4900 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Navistar 4900. 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.