RoadVitals

1981 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.
4
Newest Jan 17, 1986
Carrying an NHTSA advisoryCampaigns where NHTSA told owners not to drive the vehicle, or to park it outside, until the repair is done.
0
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.
0

Recall campaigns

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

86V007000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

Jan 17, 1986
26,760 units potentially affected
The defect: THE ACCELERATOR ROD HOLE CLEARANCE IS NOT ADEQUATE AND CAN CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR LINKAGE TO BIND. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF BINDING OCCURS WHILE IN A FULL THROTTLE POSITION, ACCELERATOR CONTROL WOULD BE LOST WITHOUT WARNING AND AN ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: ENLARGE THE ACCELERATOR ROD HOLE TO ELIMINATE INTERFERENCE WITHIN ACCELERATOR LINKAGE.
MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATEDView on NHTSA.gov
84V036000

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
81V153000

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
81V155000

STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN

Dec 29, 1981
225 units potentially affected
The defect: THE PITMAN ARM RETAINING BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE REQUIRED SPECIFICATIONS DUE TO A DESIGN CHANGE. INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE BOLT TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT COULD ALLOW THE PITMAN ARM TO LOOSEN.
The remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, RETORQUE THE RETAINING BOLT TO PROPER SPECIFICATIONS AT NO CHARGE.
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