Recall 12V508 affects 279 2013 International Prostar trucks for weak tow hooks that can break during recovery. Repair is free at any franchised International dealer.
International is recalling 279 2013 Prostar commercial trucks because tow hooks installed with feature code 01570 have reduced strength from heat treatment outside specification. The weakened hooks can break during vehicle recovery, letting the towed vehicle separate in traffic without warning; the dealer repair will be free once International makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The tow hooks on the 2013 International Prostar are heavy metal recovery points mounted to the truck so another vehicle or recovery rig has a secure place to pull from. On trucks equipped with tow hook feature code 01570, those hooks are part of the equipment used during towing, recovery, or repositioning. They are supposed to hold their rated load without bending or separating.
On affected trucks, the tow hooks were not heat treated to specification. Heat treatment is the hardening process that gives the metal its intended strength. When that process is wrong, the hook has reduced strength and can break or deform under a tow or recovery load.
There is no warning sign before failure. The hook can look normal until force is applied, so owners and service shops should treat the recall as a part-strength problem, not as something that depends on a visible crack or dashboard warning.
Who's affected?
| 2013 International Prostar | Equipment |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 279 |
Not every 2013 International Prostar truck is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
A recalled tow hook can break without warning during vehicle recovery. If that happens in traffic, the towed vehicle can separate from the towing vehicle, increasing crash risk and the risk of vehicle damage, injury, or death. Avoid using the recalled tow hooks for recovery until the dealer repair is complete. Repair will be free at any franchised International dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 International Prostar with tow hook feature code 01570 is included in this recall.
- Review the owner notice International mailed on December 18, 2012, or call International customer service at 1-800-448-7825 if you never received it.
- Contact a franchised International dealer and ask whether the free tow-hook replacement is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 12V508 when you call so the dealer can find the correct campaign.
- Avoid vehicle recovery with the suspect tow hooks until the repair is complete; the improperly heat-treated hooks can break without warning.
What happens at the repair
International's listed repair is to replace the suspect tow hooks on the affected Prostar trucks. Once the dealer repair is available, an International technician removes the tow hooks that were not heat treated to specification and installs replacement tow hooks. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. The source remedy also says the safety recall began on December 18, 2012, so ask an International dealer to confirm the repair path for your VIN before the truck is used for towing work.
Timeline
| October 18, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 18, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V508?
Recall 12V508 covers 279 2013 International Prostar commercial trucks equipped with tow hook feature code 01570. The tow hooks were not heat treated to specification, reducing their strength. International dealers replace the suspect tow hooks for free.
What should I do if my 2013 International Prostar is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 12V508. If it is, contact a franchised International dealer to schedule tow hook replacement. Reference recall 12V508 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and International dealers replace the suspect tow hooks free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised International dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The tow hooks can break during vehicle recovery. If that happens in traffic, the towed vehicle can separate from the towing vehicle, increasing crash risk and the risk of vehicle damage, injuries, or deaths without warning.
When did the International Prostar tow hook recall repair start?
The safety recall began on December 18, 2012. If your VIN is included and the tow hooks were never replaced, contact a franchised International dealer and reference recall 12V508 when you schedule service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V508000 |
|---|---|
| International customer service | 1-800-448-7825 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V508 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V508000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 →