Recall 12V114 affects 286 2012-2013 International Workstar trucks for dim bumper headlights from switched circuits. Repair is free at any franchised International dealer.
International is recalling 286 2012-2013 Workstar trucks because the headlight beam and ground circuits are switched at the connector, leaving bumper headlights dimmer than federal lighting rules allow. The weaker light reduces the driver's visibility and the truck's visibility to other road users, and the International dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The bumper headlight connector on the 2012-2013 International Workstar routes power and ground to the headlights mounted in the bumper. One side of the connector carries the headlight beam circuit, which supplies the electrical power for the lamp. The other side carries the ground circuit, which completes the electrical path back through the truck.
On affected trucks, those two circuits are switched at the headlight connector. The lamp still receives current, but it does not receive it through the intended path. That changes the wattage available to the bumper headlight, so the light output is lower than the federal lighting standard allows.
There is no warning sign before failure because the wiring condition is already present at the connector. An owner or driver can notice that the bumper headlights look dimmer than expected, especially when comparing them with correctly wired headlights.
Who's affected?
The scope crosses 2 Workstar model years and points to the same wiring component in both.
| 2012 International Workstar | wiring |
|---|---|
| 2013 International Workstar | wiring |
| Units affected | 286 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
The issue involves inadequate headlight wattage, reducing what the driver can see and how well other traffic sees the truck. That raises crash risk, especially at night or in low light. Drive cautiously and arrange service promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised International dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2013 International Workstar is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised International dealer to schedule the free headlight-connector circuit repair that restores proper bumper-headlight wattage.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 12V114 when you call.
- Avoid night driving until the repair is complete, since dim bumper headlights reduce visibility.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an International technician corrects the headlight connector wiring so the headlight beam circuit and ground circuit are no longer switched. That repair restores the bumper headlight wiring path described in the recall. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. The filing does not give a labor time, so plan for the service desk to confirm timing when the appointment is arranged.
Timeline
| March 22, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 23, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V114?
Recall 12V114 covers 286 2012-2013 International Workstar trucks with bumper headlights wired incorrectly at the connector. The switched beam and ground circuits make the headlights dimmer than the federal standard allows, reducing visibility. International dealers repair the wiring for free.
What should I do if my 2012-2013 International Workstar is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 12V114. If it is, contact a franchised International dealer and schedule the headlight wiring repair. Reference recall number 12V114 when you call. The repair is free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. For recall 12V114, International dealers repair the affected headlight wiring free of charge, including parts and labor.
What is the safety risk with this International Workstar recall?
The safety risk is reduced visibility from dim bumper headlights. The incorrect wiring lowers headlight wattage, so the driver has less light ahead and the truck is less visible to other road users. That visibility problem increases crash risk.
Has the repair for recall 12V114 started?
Yes. The safety recall began on April 23, 2012. If your VIN is included and the repair was never completed, a franchised International dealer can perform the recall repair free of charge.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V114000 |
|---|---|
| International customer service | 1-260-461-1890 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V114 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V114000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →