Cummins’ melting fuel heater leads to big Navistar recall

Truck maker recalls 50,000 trucks and buses because of fire danger

A Cummins' recall of fuel heaters led to a Navistar recall of 50,000 trucks and buses. (Image: Navistar)

Navistar Inc. is recalling more than 50,000 trucks and buses because an electric fuel heater in a Cummins’ medium-duty diesel engine used in school buses, trucks and emergency vehicles could overheat, causing plastic in the fuel heater to melt and potentially catch fire.

If that happens, an unexpected engine stall could occur, increasing the possibility of a crash, according to Cummins’ and Navistar filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The International trucks and IC buses account for the majority of 68,605 engines that Cummins (NYSE: CMI) recalled March 31. Navistar (NYSE NAV) was the only customer listed in Cummins’ recall notice. The status of the other 17,885 engines was unknown.  

About 10% of the Cummins’ B6.7 diesel engines are suspected to have the condition. Cummins said it was unaware of any fires, accidents or injuries related to the condition.

Cummins is developing a remedy and will notify International and IC dealers on April 30. The recall is expected to start May 29.

Cummins investigated the first case of the fuel heater melting in early February. It became aware of 12 cases of the component melting by the time it decided on March 24 to conduct a recall. The NHTSA recall is 20E-018.

Cummins told Navistar of the issue, and the truck maker developed the affected population covered in NHTSA recalls 20V-219 and 20V-220.

The 27,421 vehicles in the first Navistar recall are:

IC Bus/1300 FBC/2018-2019

IC Bus/CE/2018-2021

IC Bus/HC/2018-2019 

IC Bus/TC/2019-2021 

International/Durastar/2017-2020

International/HV/2018-2021

International/MV/2018-2021 and

International/Workstar/2017-2020

The second Navistar recall covers 23,299 models of IC Bus/CE from the 2017-2021 model years.

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now

Alan Adler

Alan Adler is an award-winning journalist who worked for The Associated Press and the Detroit Free Press. He also spent two decades in domestic and international media relations and executive communications with General Motors.