The 1997 International 4700 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,999 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the steering. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEATS03V0830002003-03-062,418 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH BOSTROM DRIVER SEAT MODELS 910, 910SC, OR 914 AND INTERNATIONAL'S PARKING BRAKE CODE 04036, IF SOMEONE OUTSIDE THE CAB ADJUSTS/SLIDES THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO ITS MOST FORWARD POSITION, WITH THE PARKING BRAKE SET, THE SEAT WILL CONTACT AND RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER.
Consequence
IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS ACCIDENTALLY RELEASED, THE VEHICLE COULD MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A STOP-BRACKET ON THE SEAT TRACK TO LIMIT THE TRAVEL OF THE SEAT SO THAT THE SEAT CANNOT RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN…
SUSPENSION96V2400001996-11-27233 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES AND HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH REAR AXLE ASSEMBLIES PRODUCED BY DANA SPICER. CERTAIN REAR AXLE ASSEMBLIES WERE IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED WHICH COULD ALLOW PINION BREAKAGE AT THE PINION THREADS.
Consequence
CRACKS CAN INITIATE AND RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE THREADED END OF THE PINION RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE YOKE AND DRIVE LINE FROM THE REAR AXLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR AXLE CARRIER/PINION ASSEMBLY.
SUSPENSION96V2330021996-11-221,133 affected
Defect
THE DRIVE AXLE HOUSINGS CONSIST OF A PLATE STEEL CENTER SECTION AND TWO FORGED SPINDLES, ONE OF WHICH IS WELDED TO EACH END OF THE CENTER SECTION. EACH SPINDLE CONTAINS A KEYWAY SLOT IN WHICH THE LOCKING TAB FOR THE WHEEL BEARING NUT LOCKING MECHANISM IS INSERTED. THE LENGTH OF THE KEYWAY SLOT MAY NOT BE LONG…
Consequence
THIS LOCKING TAB PREVENTS THE WHEEL BEARING NUT FROM LOOSENING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IF THIS TAB IS DEFORMED, THE NUT CAN LOOSEN ALLOWING THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE AXLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVE AXLE HOUSING NUTS WITH A CONVENTIONAL WHEEL NUT HARDWARE SYSTEM.
STEERING96V1540001996-08-20215 affected
Defect
THE STEERING COLUMN USED WAS INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED. THE TUBE PORTION OF THE STEERING COLUMN HAS A WELDED END WITH A SPECIFIED LENGTH OF 5.5 INCHES. A 3.5 INCH WELDED END WAS USED BY MISTAKE. WITH THE SHORTER END, IT IS POSSIBLE THERE IS INSUFFICIENT ENGAGEMENT OF THE MALE END INTO THE TUBE PORTION AND…
Consequence
SHOULD THE COLUMN SEPARATE, THE OPERATOR WOULD LOSE STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INCORRECTLY BUILT STEERING COLUMN WITH A NEW CORRECTLY BUILT STEERING COLUMN.
Complaints by component
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
4
6injuries2deaths
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
2
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK
1
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL
1
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:BANJO HOUSING
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
1
STEERING
1
Total complaints20
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Dealer: wise international; south bend. In; phone number# 219/288-9929 was unable to honor manufacturer's recall because no parts were available. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak”
“Consumer received recall notice. Dealer stated they would let consumer know when parts came in for tie rod recall repairs. *ak the dealer was not able to correct the recall problem. *yh”
“Parking brake handle broke, causing the vehicle to roll. Dealer has been notified. Parking brake assembly has been replaced. *ak”
“Been waiting for dealer to call back to honor recall 96v233.002/ trans axle housing. Everytime consumer called, the dealer claimed that parts were not available or parts have not arrived. *ak”
“Parts are not available for for steering recall 99v033001 repairs. *ak consumer adds manufacturer (spicer) has not sent the parts to replace the defective tie rod ends. *tt”
“Tow truck: jell forming very thickly on master cylinder hydraulic brakes. Silicone in system should be light. Brakes not releasing. Vehicle does not compress. Reg. Rep. Saw jell thickness & said normal. Brakes make funny noises when applied. Received bulletin from bendix about brakes. *ak”
“Tow truck: jell forming very thickly on master cylinder hydraulic brakes. Silicone in system should be light. Brakes not releasing. Vehicle does not compress. Reg. Rep. Saw jell thickness & said normal. Brakes make funny noises when applied. Received bulletin from bendix about brakes. *ak”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 International 4700 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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