RoadVitals

1979 Mack R Series Recalls

Safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA that cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
Recall campaignsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Newest Mar 23, 1984
Carrying an NHTSA advisoryCampaigns where NHTSA told owners not to drive the vehicle, or to park it outside, until the repair is done.
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Open investigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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Recall campaigns

5 campaigns cover this model year — what the defect is, what it could cause, and what the remedy is

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY

Mar 23, 1984
3,421 units potentially affected
The defect: SPRING SEAT CAN DEFORM, WHICH CAUSES A DECREASE IN THE CLAMPING FORCE IN THE SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY. LOSS OF CLAMPING FORCE MAY BRING ABOUT AXLE MISALIGNMENT OR AXLE HOUSING FAILURE.
The remedy: THE AXLE HOUSING WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED, IF NECESSARY. THE SPRING SEATS WILL ALSO BE REPLACED.
MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATEDView on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Dec 29, 1981
209 units potentially affected
The defect: THE RIGHT HAND CLEARANCE LAMP IS OBSCURED, FROM CERTAIN ANGLES OF VISION, BY THE IN-LINE PRECLEANER AIR CLEANER CAP. THE INVOLVED VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT".
The remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE AIR CLEANER WITH ONE OF ACCEPTABLE HEIGHT.
MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATEDView on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:CONTROLS:HAND CONTROL/VALVE

Jul 8, 1981
10,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE RETAINING PIN FOR THE BRAKE CONTROL KNOB HAS BEEN MISALIGNED (OFF THE CENTER LINE OF THE VALVE PLUNGER HOLE). THIS CAUSES THE KNOB TO BE OVERSTRESSED AT THE RETAINING PIN HOLE AREA CAUSING IT TO SEPARATE FROM THE VALVE.
The remedy: THE HOLES WILL BE RETOOLED TO PROVIDE CORRECT ALIGNMENT AND PLASTIC KNOBS WILL BE REPLACED BY KNOBS OF STRONGER MATERIAL HAVING METAL REINFORCEMENTS.
MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATEDView on NHTSA.gov

PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE:AIR

May 6, 1980
9,666 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE KNOB THAT OPERATES THE TRACTOR PARK VALVE MAY BREAK OFF, RENDERING THE VALVE INOPERABLE.
The remedy: DEFECTIVE KNOBS WILL BE REPLACED WITH AN IMPROVED TYPE, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATEDView on NHTSA.gov

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

May 6, 1980
109 units potentially affected
The defect: THE PREFABRICATED PINCH BOLT CLAMP AT THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT LOWER YOKE MAY NOT PERFORM ADEQUATELY WHEN TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE CLAMP MAY THEN DEFORM AND LOSS OF CLAMPING FORCE AND STEERING SHAFT DISENGAGEMENT MAY RESULT.
The remedy: DEALER WILL RETROFIT WITH LOWER STEERING SHAFT LOWER YOKES THAT PROVIDE FOR INTEGRAL PINCH BOLT INSTALLATION IN PLACE OF PREVIOUS SEPARATELY FABRICATED CLAMP FOR THE PINCH BOLT.
MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATEDView on NHTSA.gov

What a recall is

Safety recall
A safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
Safety investigation
NHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
Manufacturer communication
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources