Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

Mack R SERIES recalls by model year

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

1 owner complaints analyzed

18 distinct recall campaigns

Not available median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1968 to 1989 model years. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1973
1
1974
1
1975
1
1976
2
1977
2
1978
3
1979
5
1980
6
1981
4
1982
2
1983
2
1984
2
1987
3
1988
6
1989
2
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
19731
19741
19751
19762
19772
19783
19795
19806
19814
19822
19832
19842
19873
19886
19892

1973: 1; 1974: 1; 1975: 1; 1976: 2; 1977: 2; 1978: 3; 1979: 5; 1980: 6; 1981: 4; 1982: 2; 1983: 2; 1984: 2; 1987: 3; 1988: 6; 1989: 2

Year-by-year records

Mack R SERIES model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
196801Not available
1969010
1970010
1971010
1972010
1973010
1974010
1975010
197602+1
1977020
197803+1
197905+2
198006+1
198104-2
198202-2
1983020
1984120
198703Not available
198806+3
198902-4

Recall history

18 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

80V053000 · Steering:Linkages:Knuckle:Spindle:Arm

Reported: 1980-05-06 (May 6, 1980) · Model years: 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976

THE STEERING ARM MAY DEVELOP CRACKS DUE TO INSUFFICIENT FATIGUE LIFE IN THE MACHINE RADIUS OF THE TAPER AT THE STEERING KNUCKLE END.

Remedy: INSTALL STEERING ARMS THAT HAVE BEEN MAGNA-FLUX INSPECTED FOR CRACKS AND SHOT PEENED FOR IMPROVED FATIGUE LIFE. THIS WILL BE DONE WITHOUT CHARGE.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
80V054000 · Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)

Reported: 1980-05-06 (May 6, 1980) · Model years: 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980

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.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
81V153000 · Exterior Lighting

Reported: 1981-12-29 (December 29, 1981) · Model years: 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981

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".

Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE AIR CLEANER WITH ONE OF ACCEPTABLE HEIGHT.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
84V036000 · Suspension:Rear:Springs:Leaf Spring Assembly

Reported: 1984-03-23 (March 23, 1984) · Model years: 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982

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.

Remedy: THE AXLE HOUSING WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED, IF NECESSARY. THE SPRING SEATS WILL ALSO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
80V052000 · Parking Brake:Driveline:Air

Reported: 1980-05-06 (May 6, 1980) · Model years: 1979, 1980

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE KNOB THAT OPERATES THE TRACTOR PARK VALVE MAY BREAK OFF, RENDERING THE VALVE INOPERABLE.

Remedy: DEFECTIVE KNOBS WILL BE REPLACED WITH AN IMPROVED TYPE, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
81V088000 · Service Brakes, Air:Controls:Hand Control/Valve

Reported: 1981-07-08 (July 8, 1981) · Model years: 1979, 1980

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.

Remedy: THE HOLES WILL BE RETOOLED TO PROVIDE CORRECT ALIGNMENT AND PLASTIC KNOBS WILL BE REPLACED BY KNOBS OF STRONGER MATERIAL HAVING METAL REINFORCEMENTS.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
80V162000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar

Reported: 1980-12-10 (December 10, 1980) · Model years: 1980

THE WELD ON THE UPPER STEERING SHAFT WHERE THE FEMALE SPLINE CONNECTS TO THE TUBE ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY POSITIONED AND ACTUALLY MISSED THE SEAM.

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE AFFECTED SHAFT WITH ONE THAT HAS BEEN PROPERLY WELDED, AT NO CHARGE.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
81V155000 · Steering:Gear Box:Shaft Pitman

Reported: 1981-12-29 (December 29, 1981) · Model years: 1981

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.

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, RETORQUE THE RETAINING BOLT TO PROPER SPECIFICATIONS AT NO CHARGE.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
86V007000 · Vehicle Speed Control:Cables

Reported: 1986-01-17 (January 17, 1986) · Model years: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984

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.

Remedy: ENLARGE THE ACCELERATOR ROD HOLE TO ELIMINATE INTERFERENCE WITHIN ACCELERATOR LINKAGE.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
84V033000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar

Reported: 1984-03-22 (March 22, 1984) · Model years: 1983, 1984

IMPROPER STEERING CLAMP BOLTS AND TORQUE APPLIED DURING INSTALLATION. THE BOLT COULD FAIL, ALLOWING THE STEERING YOKE TO BECOME LOOSE.

Remedy: INSPECTION AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALLATION OF PROPER STEERING SHAFT CLAMP BOLTS TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
88V153000 · Wheels

Reported: 1988-09-27 (September 27, 1988) · Model years: 1987

FASTENERS THAT HOLD THE REAR WHEEL TO THE HUB AND DRUM ASSEMBLY MAY BE IMPROPERLY TORQUED.

Consequence: AN UNDERTORQUED FASTENER WILL LOOSEN UP AND CAN RESULT INWHEEL SEPARATION, LOSS OF CONTROL, AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: PROPERLY TORQUE REAR WHEEL SPACE FASTENERS.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
88V162000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage

Reported: 1988-10-18 (October 18, 1988) · Model years: 1987, 1988

THERE MAY BE INSUFFICIENT WELD WHERE THE STEP IS WELDED TO THE FUEL TANK.

Consequence: WELD CRACKS COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE STEPS TO DISENGAGEAND POSSIBLY INJURE PERSONS ENTERING OR LEAVING THE TRUCK.

Remedy: REPLACE FUEL TANK STEPS WITH CRACKS; MODIFY OTHERS TO PREVENT STEP FROM SEPARATING FROM THE TANK.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
89V032000 · Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections

Reported: 1989-03-03 (March 3, 1989) · Model years: 1987, 1988

AN INCORRECT HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.

Consequence: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, HOSE COULD FAIL RESULTING INLOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST AND POSSIBLY AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPLACE INCORRECT POWER STEERING HOSES.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
88V085000 · Power Train:Driveline:Center Support Bearing

Reported: 1988-05-23 (May 23, 1988) · Model years: 1988

CLAMP PLATES USED BETWEEN THE DRIVE SHAFT AND CARRIER YOKES MAY CRACK AND COULD BREAK DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT.

Consequence: IF CLAMP PLATE BREAKS, YOKE WOULD FLY OFF AT DETACHEDPOINT AND COULD INJURY ANYONE STRUCK BY FLYING FRAGMENTS. ALSO, THE DETACHEDINNER SHAFT COULD INTERFERE WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM AIR SUPPLY HOSES AND TRACTORTIRES, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF TRUCK CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: INSTALL NEW CLAMPING PLATES AND CAPSCREWS IN ALL LOCATIONS AS NEEDED.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
88V125000 · Steering:Linkages

Reported: 1988-07-27 (July 27, 1988) · Model years: 1988

SOME OF THE NUTS/BOLTS USED TO FASTEN THE STEERING PITMAN ARM MAY LOOSEN.

Consequence: THIS WOULD ALLOW THE PITMAN ARM TO COME OFF THE STEERINGGEAR SECTOR SHAFT AND RESULT IN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A VEHICLECRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: RETORQUE NUTS/BOLTS WHERE NECESSARY.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
88V161000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Reported: 1988-10-18 (October 18, 1988) · Model years: 1988

CERTAIN ENGINE SUPPORT CASTINGS WERE PRODUCED WITH FAULTY METALLURGY AND COULD FAIL.

Consequence: FAILURE OF ONE OR BOTH BRACKETS COULD CAUSE DISLOCATIONOF ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN TRUCK DISABLEMENT,POSSIBLE LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPLACE REAR ENGINE SUPPORTS AS NECESSARY.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
89V086000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar

Reported: 1989-05-22 (May 22, 1989) · Model years: 1988, 1989

STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUTS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AND/OR TORQUED.

Remedy: RENEW AND RETORQUE STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUTS.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
89V079000 · Suspension:Front

Reported: 1989-05-15 (May 15, 1989) · Model years: 1989

TORQUE ROD BOLTS ARE GRADE 2 INSTEAD OF GRADE 5, WHICH IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION, AND COULD FAIL.

Consequence: BOLT FAILURE COULD ALLOW THE REAR AXLE TO SHIFT; THISCOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT TRUCK CONTROL AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: REPLACE TORQUE ROD BOLTS WITH BOLTS OF THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

1 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

0.0%Usable mileage0 / 1 records
100.0%Valid incident date1 / 1 records
100.0%Valid filing date1 / 1 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates1 / 1 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component1975197619771978197919801981198219831984198719881989
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 10229530

1984 MACK SUPER LINER DRIVE SHAFT BROKE RUPTURING THE FUEL TANK. CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE DRIVE SHAFT BROKE AND RUPTURED THE FUEL TANK IT SPILLED ABOUT 50 TO 75 GALLONS OF DIESEL FUEL ONTO THE ROADWAY. *KB

Look up ODI 10229530 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
No usable records for this analysis.

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

1988: 0 complaints · 1989: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
1988000
1989000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
1988000
1989000

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentPower Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

0 patterns with matching reports.

No narratives match the published patterns.