IllustrationBUS SEATS HAVE SHARP WELDS IN CENTER OF SEATS CAUSING STUDENTS LEGS TO BE CUT.
1997 Navistar 3800
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 3800 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Seats. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports
Seats complaints
2 reportsSCHOOL BUS SEATS HAVE SHARP WELD IN CENTER OF SEAT CAUSING STUDENT TO BE CUT ON THE LEGS.
Official recalls
599V331000 · Service Brakes, Air:supply:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Nov 23, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUS. AN AIR BRAKE LINE CONTROLLING THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE TOO CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST PIPE AND COULD RUPTURE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT WARNING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: EXHAUST PIPE HEAT CAN MELT OR CAUSE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THIS AIR LINE IF THE AIR LINE IS ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST PIPE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ELBOW FITTING AND REROUTE THE AIR LINE. THE AIR LINE WILL ALSO BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF FOUND TO BE DAMAGED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE.
99V033001 · Steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting
Feb 16, 1999
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 & remedy
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.
98V291000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
Nov 9, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH T444E DIESEL ENGINES. A FUEL LEAK CAN OCCUR BECAUSE OF OVERCRIMPING OF THE HOSE END FITTINGS ON THE HOSE FROM THE REGULATOR TO THE LEFT HEAD AND THE HOSE FROM THE FUEL TRANSFER PUMP TO THE REGULATOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE OIL HOSE AND PLACE AN ADDITIONAL CONVOLUTED LOOM AROUND THE EXISTING OIL HOSE, OR REPLACE THE HOSE ASSEMBLY.
97V143001 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
Sep 8, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BUSES AND HEAVY TRUCK CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH T444E ENGINES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ROD MATERIAL IS EXCESSIVELY BRITTLE AND CAN BREAK DURING A FULL THROTTLE APPLICATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE UNEXPECTED BREAKAGE CAN RESULT IN THE INABILITY TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE PROPERLY INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC ACCELERATOR PEDAL RODS WITH NEW RODS.
97V143002 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
Sep 8, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BUSES AND HEAVY TRUCK CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS N-14, CATERPILLAR, AND DETROIT DIESEL ELECTRONIC ENGINES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ROD MATERIAL IS EXCESSIVELY BRITTLE AND CAN BREAK DURING A FULL THROTTLE APPLICATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE UNEXPECTED BREAKAGE CAN RESULT IN THE INABILITY TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE PROPERLY INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC ACCELERATOR PEDAL RODS WITH NEW RODS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE98004 · Underhood Fires
Opened Feb 5, 1998 · Closed Apr 21, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
ALLEGED UNDERHOOD FIRES DUE TO ELECTRICAL OR FUEL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION