INTERNATIONAL LT · model year

2021 INTERNATIONAL LT

6 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 13 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2021INTERNATIONALLT carries 6 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2021 LT is structure:body with 1 filings, followed by engine (1) and fuel/propulsion system (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 13 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 22 investigation files overlapping the 2021 LT. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

6
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

6 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STRUCTURE:BODY1
ENGINE1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
SERVICE BRAKES1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING1

Recalls (13)

24V81800031/10/2024

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

International Motors, LLC (International) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Lonestar, 2021-2025 RH, HV, MV, LT, HX, and 2022 PROSTAR vehicles, equipped with Bendix EC80 Advanced Electronic Control Units (ECU). Electrical noise and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly p

23V22000030/03/2023

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM):SOFTWARE

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2021-2024 International LT and RH trucks. The engine control module (ECM) may be unresponsive to throttle pedal application, which can cause the vehicle to unexpectedly slow to idle speed on the road.

22V54600028/07/2022

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2018-2021 International LoneStar and 2016-2021 International LT vehicles. The cables that connect the batteries to the vehicle frame may become excessively hot, and in some cases, cause battery post separation.

25V81700025/11/2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

International Motors, LLC (International) is recalling certain 2016 7600, 2016-2023 Lonestar, 2018 8600, 2018-2023 LT, 2021-2026 MV, 2022-2023 RH, 2023-2026 HX, and 2025-2026 HV vehicles. Electrical noise and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly process commands or s

23V37000025/05/2023

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2021-2024 International HV, HX, LoneStar, LT, MV, eMV, and RH trucks, and IC Bus CE, 2021-2023 IC Bus RE, and 2022-2023 IC Bus TC Commercial Buses. The anti-lock brake system (ABS) indicator light does not remain illuminated when a malfunction exists,

21V11200024/02/2021

ENGINE

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2021 International LT vehicles equipped with a Cummins X15 engine. The capscrews that attach the flywheel to the crankshaft may have been improperly torqued, allowing the flywheel to detach.

21V28100022/04/2021

ENGINE

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2019-2021 International LT and RH trucks. The wrist pin may crack and cause connecting rod failure.

23V35300018/05/2023

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2000-2003 International 8100, 2001-2003 International 9100i, 2001-2007 International 9400i, 2001-2010 International 9200i, 2002-2007, 2009 International 8500, 2003-2007, 2013 International 9900i, 2003-2018 International 8600, 2004, 2007 International 99

22V16400017/03/2022

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2018-2023 International LT vehicles equipped with a 1500W Purkeys inverter system. The positive battery cable may be incorrectly routed, causing it to chafe on the side skirt frame and become damaged.

21V07900017/02/2021

ENGINE

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2018-2021 International LoneStar and 2017-2021 International LT vehicles. The battery ground cable ring terminal at the frame connecting point may break, resulting in a loss of electrical power and unintended engine shutdown without warning.

22V69100015/09/2022

ENGINE

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2018-2021 International HV, 2018-2020 International HX, 2018-2021 International LT and International RH vehicles. The connecting rod wrist pin may crack, resulting in connecting rod failure.

21V22700001/04/2021

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2021 International LT, RH, MV, and HV vehicles equipped with Bendix pressure switches. A retainer was not properly seated in the SC-3 single check valve and may not provide source air isolation when pressure is applied. As such, these vehicles fail to

21V22600001/04/2021

PARKING BRAKE

Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2021 International LT and International RH vehicles. The spring inside the spring brake chamber may allow the pressure plate to shift and wear a hole through the diaphragm.

Recent Complaints

20230330CrashSERVICE BRAKES

The brake assist malfunctioned causing the brakes to abruptly stop without cause or warning. When the braking system abruptly stopped it caused a jack knife and lost of a trailer on a congested highway with vehicles in all lanes, I was able to finally get control of the tractor with out causing contact or injury with other vehicles and the rear trailer broke free and rolled back and landed in the grass that divided the highways. I injured myself and had to have surgery. The tractor was taken to a shop 4 days after the accident. They found that the module for abs ec80 had blocked radar and data link faults for camera, radar & camera was not properly installed. Rush truck center told the company that they needed to drive tractor on a long drive to recreate issues, but the company denied to go forward and picked the tractor up.

20230330CrashFORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

The brake assist malfunctioned causing the brakes to abruptly stop without cause or warning. When the braking system abruptly stopped it caused a jack knife and lost of a trailer on a congested highway with vehicles in all lanes, I was able to finally get control of the tractor with out causing contact or injury with other vehicles and the rear trailer broke free and rolled back and landed in the grass that divided the highways. I injured myself and had to have surgery. The tractor was taken to a shop 4 days after the accident. They found that the module for abs ec80 had blocked radar and data link faults for camera, radar & camera was not properly installed. Rush truck center told the company that they needed to drive tractor on a long drive to recreate issues, but the company denied to go forward and picked the tractor up.

20230330CrashFORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

The brake assist malfunctioned causing the brakes to abruptly stop without cause or warning. When the braking system abruptly stopped it caused a jack knife and lost of a trailer on a congested highway with vehicles in all lanes, I was able to finally get control of the tractor with out causing contact or injury with other vehicles and the rear trailer broke free and rolled back and landed in the grass that divided the highways. I injured myself and had to have surgery. The tractor was taken to a shop 4 days after the accident. They found that the module for abs ec80 had blocked radar and data link faults for camera, radar & camera was not properly installed. Rush truck center told the company that they needed to drive tractor on a long drive to recreate issues, but the company denied to go forward and picked the tractor up.

20211203STRUCTURE:BODY

I drive tractor trailer for JB Hunt. Over the last 4 Years, the three trucks I have been assigned to have had exhaust leaks that vented into the cab. One was a Freightliner (approx 2017 model), and two have been Internationals. These exhaust leaks caused me medical problems, requiring that I take off time unscheduled. The last three trucks I have been assigned to have had exhaust leaks into the cab. Some leaks I only found with a thermal camera. The exhaust leaks are not the main problem. The problem is that design of these trucks cause any leaking engine gases to be pushed into the cab of the truck, mostly through the air conditioning/heater vents. I have tested this. I zip tied a can of orange air freshener under the hood. The can was positioned in such a way as to point away from the air intake box, toward the back of the engine. When driving at highway speed, the orange air freshener was very strong coming into the cab from the a/c vents. The truck is supposed to be getti

20211203ENGINE

I drive tractor trailer for JB Hunt. Over the last 4 Years, the three trucks I have been assigned to have had exhaust leaks that vented into the cab. One was a Freightliner (approx 2017 model), and two have been Internationals. These exhaust leaks caused me medical problems, requiring that I take off time unscheduled. The last three trucks I have been assigned to have had exhaust leaks into the cab. Some leaks I only found with a thermal camera. The exhaust leaks are not the main problem. The problem is that design of these trucks cause any leaking engine gases to be pushed into the cab of the truck, mostly through the air conditioning/heater vents. I have tested this. I zip tied a can of orange air freshener under the hood. The can was positioned in such a way as to point away from the air intake box, toward the back of the engine. When driving at highway speed, the orange air freshener was very strong coming into the cab from the a/c vents. The truck is supposed to be getti

20211203FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I drive tractor trailer for JB Hunt. Over the last 4 Years, the three trucks I have been assigned to have had exhaust leaks that vented into the cab. One was a Freightliner (approx 2017 model), and two have been Internationals. These exhaust leaks caused me medical problems, requiring that I take off time unscheduled. The last three trucks I have been assigned to have had exhaust leaks into the cab. Some leaks I only found with a thermal camera. The exhaust leaks are not the main problem. The problem is that design of these trucks cause any leaking engine gases to be pushed into the cab of the truck, mostly through the air conditioning/heater vents. I have tested this. I zip tied a can of orange air freshener under the hood. The can was positioned in such a way as to point away from the air intake box, toward the back of the engine. When driving at highway speed, the orange air freshener was very strong coming into the cab from the a/c vents. The truck is supposed to be getti

Compare 2021INTERNATIONALLT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2021 INTERNATIONAL LT have?
The 2021 INTERNATIONAL LT has 6 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 INTERNATIONAL LT?
Yes, the 2021 INTERNATIONAL LT has 13 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 INTERNATIONAL LT?
The most-complained component for the 2021 INTERNATIONAL LT is STRUCTURE:BODY with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.
Is the 2021 INTERNATIONAL LT safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.