April 22, 2021 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V281000
Engine Wrist Pin Bushing May Fail
Connecting rod failure may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V281
Manufacturer Navistar
, Inc.
Components ENGINE
Potential Number of Units Affected 10,038
Summary
Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2019-2021 International LT and RH trucks. The wrist pin may crack and cause connecting rod failure.
Remedy
Navistar will notify owners and dealers will install a detection system software to warn the driver prior to engine connecting rod failure and engines with a defective connecting rod will be repaired, free of charge. Vehicles previously repaired under Recall 20V255 that received only a software update will need to return to the dealer for the new remedy. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar’s number for this recall is 21505.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
21505
MAY 2021
| SUBJECT: | SAFETY RECALL
International |
DEFECT DESCRIPTION
The connecting rod bushing over time may develop cracks or lose chunks of material which could lead to connecting rod engine failure. Connecting rod failure in some cases can result in engine shutdown with minimal warning; a stalled vehicle in or near the roadway can increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
MODELS INVOLVED
This safety recall involves certain 2019 thru 2021 LT® and RH® series trucks built 01/13/2018 thru 12/06/2019 with International® A26 engines.
NOTE: Even if the customer previously had recall 20504 (NHTSA recall 20V- 255 / Transport Canada Recall 2021-240) performed on their vehicle, they are still required to bring their vehicle in again to get this updated engine calibration.
ELIGIBILITY
NOTE: Engines found with a suspect connecting rod will be repaired under warranty in a separate claim section.
This procedure applies ONLY to vehicles marked in the Navistar Service Portal with safety recall 21505. Also complete any other open campaigns listed on the Service Portal at this time.
TOOLS REQUIRED
| Description | Tool Number |
| EZ-Tech® or equivalent | N/A |
| NavKal™ | N/A |
| Battery Charger 55 Amp | PSC550CC |
PARTS INFORMATION
NOTE: The repair will involve the installation of a detection system to warn the driver prior to engine connecting rod failure. There are no parts for this recall.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
WARNING! TO PREVENT PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, AND / OR DEATH, PARK VEHICLE ON HARD FLAT SURFACE, TURN THE ENGINE OFF, SET THE PARKING BRAKE AND INSTALL WHEEL CHOCKS TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.
WARNING! TO PREVENT PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, AND/ OR DEATH, IF THE VEHICLE MUST BE RAISED, DO NOT WORK UNDER THE VEHICLE SUPPORTED ONLY BY JACKS. JACKS CAN SLIP OR FALL OVER.
WARNING! TO PREVENT PERSONAL INJURY AND / OR DEATH, ALWAYS WEAR SAFE EYE PROTECTION WHEN PERFORMING VEHICLE MAINTENANCE.
WARNING! TO PREVENT PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, AND/OR DEATH, ALLOW COMPONENTS IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO COOL BEFORE SERVICING ENGINE OR VEHICLE.
WARNING! TO PREVENT PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, AND/ OR DEATH, KEEP-FLAMES OR SPARKS AWAY FROM VEHICLE AND DO NOT SMOKE WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE’S BATTERIES. BATTERIES EXPEL EXPLOSIVE GASES.
1. Bring vehicle into shop and park on flat surface.
2. Shift transmission to Park or Neutral and set parking brakes.
3. Turn vehicle ignition to Key OFF position.
4. Install wheel chocks.
5. Pull a Health Report from the vehicle.
6. Review the synthetic fault code to determine calibration scorecard status.
a. If calibration scorecard indicates that calibration is not current, engine must be reprogrammed to raise calibration to latest level. Proceed to Step 7.
b. If calibration scorecard indicates calibration is current, engine does not need to be reprogrammed. Proceed to step 12.
7. Connect battery charger / maintainer to vehicle battery.
8. Program ECM.
NOTE: All programming and troubleshooting information can be accessed from the articles listed in the chart below, Dealer EZ-Tech, or clicking the link below to access the Diagnostic Software Support Resource Center.
Diagnostic Software Support Resource Center
NOTE: These articles contain general information about each reprogramming method and software, with links to specific instructions.
| Programming Method | Programming and troubleshooting Instructions |
| NavKal | TL2600002 |
9. If assistance is needed, contact Vehicle Programming by creating an iKNow case file or calling 1-800-336-4500, options 3, 1, 1.
NOTE: Clear all inactive/previously active faults after programming. Only perform diagnostics or procedures on ACTIVE faults and you must open a new claim section on your work order.
10. If any inactive/previously active faults are found after programming, clear them from ECM. Only perform diagnostics or procedures on active faults.
11. Disconnect battery charger/ maintainer from vehicle battery.
12. Remove wheel chocks.
END OF SERVICE PROCEDURE
SEOCONTENT-START
LABOR INFORMATION
| Operation Number | Description | Time |
| A40-21505-1 | Recalibrate ECM | 0.5 Hrs. |
CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL
Each vehicle corrected in accordance with this campaign must be marked with a CTS-1075 Campaign Identification Label.
Complete the label and attach on a clean surface next to the vehicle identification number (VIN) plate.
ADMINISTRATIVE / DEALER RESPONSIBILITIES
WARRANTY CLAIMS
Warranty claim expense is to be charged to Warranty. Claims are to be submitted in the normal manner, making reference to Safety Recall 21505.
Section 7 of the Warranty Policy and Procedures manual contains further information related to the submission and processing of AFC/Recall claims.
As with all claim submissions, items acquired locally must be submitted in the “Other Charges” tab. The cost of any bulk items (such as a bag of cable tie straps, roll of wire, a barrel of oil, or a tube of silicone) should be prorated for the cost of the individual pieces / amount used during each repair.
UNITED STATES AND POSSESSIONS
The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, as amended, provides that each vehicle that is subject to a vehicle recall campaign must be adequately repaired within a reasonable time after the owner has tendered it for repair. A failure to adequately repair within 60 days after a tender of a vehicle is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time. If the condition is not adequately repaired within 60 days, the owner may be entitled to replacement with an identical or reasonable equivalent vehicle at no charge, or to a refund of the purchase price less a reasonable allowance for depreciation.
Dealers must correct all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to the owner, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.
Dealers should proceed immediately to make necessary correction to units in inventory. All inventory vehicles subject to this recall campaign must be corrected prior to sale, transfer or delivery. If vehicles have been sold or transferred and you are in receipt of Customer Notification Letters and Authorization for Recall Service cards for those vehicles, the transfer location or customer must be notified immediately from your dealer location.
Dealers must make every effort to promptly schedule an appointment with each owner to repair his or her vehicle as soon as possible. However, consistent with the customer notification, dealers are expected to complete the repairs on the mutually agreed upon service date.
Dealers involved in the recall process will be furnished a listing of owner names and addresses to enable them to follow up with owners and have the vehicles corrected. Use of this listing must be limited to this campaign because the list may contain information obtained from state motor vehicle registration records, and the use of such motor vehicle registration data for purposes other than this campaign is a violation of law in several states.
CANADA
Dealers must correct all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to the owner, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.
Dealers should proceed immediately to make necessary correction to units in inventory. All inventory vehicles subject to this recall campaign must be corrected prior to sale, transfer or delivery. If vehicles have been sold or transferred and you are in receipt of Customer Notification Letters and Authorization for Recall Service cards for those vehicles, the transfer location or customer must be notified immediately from your dealer location.
Dealers must make every effort to promptly schedule an appointment with each owner to repair his or her vehicle as soon as possible. However, consistent with the customer notification, dealers are expected to complete the repairs on the mutually agreed upon service date.
Dealers involved in the recall process will be furnished a listing of owner names and addresses to enable them to follow up with owners and have the vehicles corrected. Use of this listing must be limited to this campaign because the list may contain information obtained from state motor vehicle registration records, and the use of such motor vehicle registration data for purposes other than this campaign is a violation of law in several states.
EXPORT
Export Distributors should proceed immediately to make necessary correction to units in inventory. All inventory vehicles subject to this recall campaign must be corrected prior to sale, transfer or delivery. If vehicles have been sold or transferred and you are in receipt of Customer Notification Letters and Authorization for Recall Service cards for those vehicles, the transfer location or customer must be notified immediately from your distributor location.
Export Distributors are to submit warranty claims in the usual manner making reference to this recall number.
Export Distributors are expected to provide full cooperation and follow-up with respect to this important subject matter. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact the Regional Service Manager at your regional office.
NAVISTAR, INC.SEOCONTENT-END
IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL 21505 NHTSA RECALL NO. 21V-281
MAY 2021
This notice applies to your vehicle identified on the enclosed card.
Dear INTERNATIONAL® Customer,
This notice applies to your vehicle identified on the enclosed card. This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
Navistar has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2019 thru 2021 LT® and RH® series trucks built 01/13/2018 thru 12/06/2019 with International® A26 engines.
NOTE: Even if you previously had recall 20504 (NHTSA recall 20V-255) performed on your vehicle, you are still required to bring your vehicle in again to get this updated engine calibration.
REASON FOR THIS RECALL
The connecting rod bushing over time may develop cracks or lose chunks of material, which could lead to connecting rod failure.
RISK TOMOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY
Connecting rod failure in some cases can result in engine shutdown with minimal warning; a stalled vehicle in or near the roadway can increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
DEFECT REMEDY
The repair will involve the installation of an engine calibration to warn the driver prior to engine connecting rod failure. Authorized repair locations have software and instructions to repair your vehicle. The repair will be performed free of charge and take approximately 45 minutes to complete.
ACTIONS YOU SHOULD TAKE
If you own this vehicle, please contact any INTERNATIONAL® dealer or a Love’s Truck Tire Care or Speedco* location to have your vehicle repaired at no cost to you. You can find your nearest service location by calling 1-800-448-7825 or by using the service locator at https://www.internationaltrucks,com or https://www,foves.com.
*Love’s and Speedco locations in Texas cannot perform warranty services.
If you have already paid for repairs prior to this notice that corrected the defect, you may be eligible for reimbursement of certain repair expenses if they occurred 04/22/2020 thru 06/2112021.Present your original repair paper work and proof of payment to any INTERNATIONAL, dealer and your eligibility will be reviewed. You may also submit a claim using the enclosed Request for Reimbursement card.
If you are the lessor of this vehicle, please forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within ten days to comply with federal regulations.
If you do not own this vehicle, please fill out and return mail the enclosed card so that you will not be contacted again about this recall.
NOTE: Once the detection system Is installed; should the red engine light on the instrument cluster illuminate, safely pull your truck off the roadway when safe to do so, turn off the engine and contact your nearest International dealer. If an engine repair is required due to a rod failure, it will be covered under warranty.
IF YOU NEED FURTHER ASSISTANCE
If you believe that Navistar has failed to remedy the defect without charge or within a reasonable time, please follow the procedure described in the Owner Assistance Guide section in your Owner’s Manual or call toll free 1-800-448-7825.
You may also submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE, Washington, DC 20590; or call the toll free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to https://www.safercar.gov.
Navistar requests your prompt attention and patience regarding the correction of this defect and apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause you.
Navistar, Inc.
Navistar Recall 21505 Chronology of Events
- 8/24/2020 Navistar s Field Service first became aware of a possible wrist pin bushing failure that was not detected by the engine software detection system from recall 20V-255.
- 8/31/2020 Navistar s Field Service first became aware of a possible wrist pin bushing failure on an A26 engine that occurred outside the recall population included in 20V-255.
- 9/21/2020 The engine with the undetected failure above was returned and disassembled for analysis. The failure was confirmed to be the wrist pin bushing.
- 10/13/2020 Navistar engine calibration team first learned of a possible software concern that could be degrading the accuracy of the knock detection signal in the upper gear ranges and began working with the software supplier to investigate the issue and determine next steps.
- 11/16/2020 Navistar released a calibration update that improved the robustness of the knock detection system for those vehicles with a PTO option.
- 11/16/2020 The engine with the wrist pin failure outside the recall was returned and torn down and confirmed to have the same bushing failure mode.
- 12/4/2020 Navistar reviewed knock detection accuracy which was still high; and wrist pin failures outside the 20V-255 recall population which remained low.
- 1/4/2021 The weekly review of data from release of 20V-255 to this point continued to show few wrist pin failure reports outside the recall population. There were no reports of accidents or injuries to date.
- 1/20/2021 The engine software coding concern identified on 10/13/20 was revised and released to further improve the knock detection system in the upper gear ranges.
- 2/15/2021 Review of data from the first of January indicated that the number of wrist pin failures that were occurring on engines outside the recall population began to increase. Still no reports of accidents or injuries to this point in the investigation.
- 3/21/2021 Review of data from 1/20/2020 software release to current showed a significant increase in knock detection accuracy with this calibration.
- 4/8/2021 Navistar compliance committee met to review the wrist pin failures outside the original recall population; and the accuracy of the knock detection system released with 20V-255.
- 4/15/2021 Navistar finalized the suspect vehicle population and declared a safety recall. To date there have been no reports of accidents or injuries related to this condition.
6 Affected Products
Vehicles
| MAKE | MODEL | YEAR |
| INTERNATIONAL | LT | 2019-2021 |
| INTERNATIONAL | RH | 2019-2021 |
8 Associated Documents
Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2021-2
RCLQRT-21V281-4298.PDF 211.127KB
Recall 573 Report
RCLRPT-21V281-7303.PDF 215.273KB
ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)
Remedy Instructions and TSB
RCRIT-21V281-6105.pdf 184.999KB
Recall Acknowledgement
RCAK-21V281-1133.pdf 705.619KB
Miscellaneous Document- Chronology
RMISC-21V281-0922.pdf 40.716KB
Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2021-4
RCLQRT-21V281-0864.PDF 211.318KB
Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2021-3
RCLQRT-21V281-3449.PDF 211.229KB
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