RoadVitals

1981 Western Rwl 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.
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

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

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

Mar 22, 1984
1,163 units potentially affected
The defect: FRONT AXLE AIR BRAKE LINES ARE ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THIS CAN PERMIT BRAKE LINES TO MELT AND RUPTURE, CAUSING A REDUCTION IN AIR PRESSURE TO BRAKE CHAMBERS UPON BRAKE APPLICATION.
The remedy: FRONT AXLE AIR BRAKE LINES WILL BE REPLACED, EMPLOYING NEW ROUTING AND HEAT RESISTANCE IMPROVEMENTS.
MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATEDView on NHTSA.gov

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:SPRINGS

Dec 29, 1981
186 units potentially affected
The defect: THE THROTTLE RETURN SPRINGS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES PROVIDE LESS THAN THE REQUIRED TORQUE, CAUSING A SLUGGISH RETURN OF THE THROTTLE TO THE IDLE POSITION AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS".
The remedy: NEW ANCHOR BRACKETS AND SPRING EXTENSIONS FOR THE THROTTLE RETURN SPRINGS, WILL BE INSTALLED AT CORRECTED LOCATIONS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATEDView on NHTSA.gov

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS

Aug 6, 1981
1,000 units potentially affected
The defect: INADEQUATE WELD POSITIONING COUPLED WITH RADIUS ROD LOAD AND LOOSENING OF THE SPRING CLIP NUTS COULD CAUSE SPRING SEAT FRACTURE. THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AXLE.
The remedy: SPRING SEAT RADIUS ROD BRACKETS WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. IN ADDITION, SUPPLEMENTAL BRACKETS WILL BE INSTALLED TO REINFORCE THE SPRING SEAT, WITHOUT CHARGE.
MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATEDView on NHTSA.gov

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Jul 8, 1981
15,000 units potentially affected
The defect: DUE TO A DEFICIENCY IN MATERIAL STRENGTH, THE FRONT ENGINE SUPPORT BRACKETS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY DEVELOP CRACKS THAT COULD LEAD TO BRACKET FAILURE. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO DROP DOWN INTO THE RADIATOR, DAMAGING THE SHROUD, ENGINE FAN, AND OTHER ASSOCIATED PARTS. THE ENGINE THROTTLE COULD BE PULLED INTO FULL GOVERNED POSITION.
The remedy: THE EXISTING SUPPORT BRACKETS WILL BE REPLACED WITH BRACKETS MADE OF DUCTILE IRON, AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
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