RoadVitals

1978 Mack RS 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 May 31, 1979
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.
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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

79V133000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

May 31, 1979
23,000 units potentially affected
The defect: IN THE EVENT OF TURBOCHARGER COMPRESSOR WHEEL FAILURE, ONE OR MORE OF THE FOUR CAPSCREWS THAT HOLD THE TURBOCHARGER TOGETHER MAY BE STRUCK BY PARTS OF THE COMPRESSOR WHEEL, RESULTING IN THE CAPSCREWS BEING DAMAGED. IF THESE CAPSCREWS ARE DAMAGED TO THE POINT THAT THEY ALLOW THE COMPRESSOR BACK PLATE TO DISLOCATE FROM THE TURBOCHARGER BEARING HOUSING, ENGINE LUBRICATING OIL MAY BE ALLOWED TO ESCAPE UNDER PRESSURE, CONTACTING THE ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD SECTIONS OR TURBOCHARGER TURBINE HOUSING.
The remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A SHIELD FOR THE HEADS OF THE FOUR CAPSCREWS, ALONG WITH STRONGER SAE 8 GRADE 8 CAPSCREWS, IF NECESSARY, AT NO COST TO OWNER.
MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATEDView on NHTSA.gov
79V134000

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

May 30, 1979
64,150 units potentially affected
The defect: IN THE INVOLVED TRUCKS IT IS POSSIBLE THE ADJUSTABLE STEERING COLUMN REAR MOUNTING BRACKET COULD FAIL, ALLOWING STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO FALL DOWN ONTO THE OPERATOR"S LAP.
The remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL BRACKET IN THIS AREA TO PREVENT THE STEERING WHEEL FROM DISLOCATING IN THE EVENT OF A BRACKET FAILURE.
MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATEDView on NHTSA.gov
78V222000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Oct 11, 1978
161 units potentially affected
The defect: A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD OCCUR DUE TO CHAFING OR WIRE DISCONNECTION IN THE BOX.
The remedy: THE WIRING IN THE SLEEPER BOX WILL BE CORRECTED, FREE OF CHARGE.
MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATEDView on NHTSA.gov
78V210000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:INTERCONNECTING ASSEMBLY(WIRING)

Oct 3, 1978
19,370 units potentially affected
The defect: DELAYS OF UP TO ABOUT 2 SECONDS MAY EXIST IN THE BRAKE APPLICATION TIMES TO THE BRAKES ON THE BOGIE AXLES IN THE PRESENCE OF CERTAIN TYPES OF WHEEL SPEED SENSOR SIGNAL DISCONTINUITIES OR DISTORTIONS THAT MAY OCCUR AS A RESULT OF SENSOR WIRE FAILURE. THIS CONSTITUTES A NON-COMPLIANCE TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS".
The remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL NEW WHEEL SPEED SENSORS THAT INCORPORATE IMPROVED WIRING AND THE PRESENT BOGIE ANTI-WHEEL LOCK SYSTEM WILL BE CHANGED TO AN AXLE-TO-AXLE SYSTEM FOR IMPROVED RELIABILITY.
MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATEDView on NHTSA.gov
78V030000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Feb 9, 1978
400 units potentially affected
The defect: A DESIGN DEFICIENCY EXISTS IN THE AIR DRYER PIPING IN THE AREA OF THE PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE AND COMPRESSOR GOVERNOR CONTROL LINK. MOISTURE IS PASSED AND BUILDS UP IN THIS RELIEF VALVE AND CONTROL LINE. IN FREEZING AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, THIS MOISTURE MAY FREEZE, ALLOWING THE CHASSIS AIR SYSTEM PRESSURE TO EXCEED 150 PSI. EXCESSIVE AIR SYSTEM PRESSURE CAN CAUSE SEPARATION OF AIR PIPING CONNECTIONS AND AIR SYSTEM VALVE FAILURE.
The remedy: THE DEALER WILL RELOCATE THE AIR SYSTEM COMPRESSOR GOVERNOR LINE AND PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE TO ELIMINATE MOISTURE ACCUMULATION.
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