2003 Mack LE: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2003-07-17 (July 17, 2003)

CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." IMPROPER SEATING OF THE CHECK VALVE RETAINER IN THE BRASS FITTING HOUSING HAS OCCURRED. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE AIR BRAKE SYSTEM PRESSURE TO PUSH THE CHECK VALVE INTERNAL PARTS INTO THE PRIMARY SYSTEM RESERVOIR AND A VEHICLE OPERATOR WOULD NOT KNOW THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED.

Consequence: IN THIS CONDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MEET THE EMERGENCY REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CHECK VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 26, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MACK AT 1-610-709-3337.

Reported: 2004-04-07 (April 7, 2004)

ON CERTAIN CHASSIS BUILT WITH LNG ENGINES, THE NEXGEN LNG TANK'S PRIMARY AND SECONDARY RELIEF VALVES COULD FAIL TO OPEN AND RELIEVE TANK PRESSURE.

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE ICE BUILDUP ON THE DISCHARGE SIDE OF THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PRESSURE SYSTEM ALLOWING THE RELIEF SYSTEM TO FREEZE AND BECOME BLOCKED RESULTING IN OVER PRESSURIZATION OF THE LNG TANKS CREATING THE RISK OF CATASTROPHIC TANK RUPTURE WHICH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RETROFIT THE LNG TANKS WITH A NEW PRIMARY RELIEF VALVE PIPE AWAY TUBE AND A NEW VENTILATED SHROUD. THE RECALL BEGAN APRIL 6, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MACK AT 1-610-709-3337.

Reported: 2010-03-03 (March 3, 2010)

MACK TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2004 CL, CV, LE, MR, RB, RD, AND MODEL YEAR 2003 THROUGH 2004 DM HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2002 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2003, EQUIPPED WITH AXLE BEAMS MANUFACTURED BY BHARAT FORGE. THE AXLE BEAM MAY HAVE TRANSVERSE SHEAR LINES ON THE BOTTOM OF THE AXLE FROM THE TRIMMING PROCESS.

Consequence: THESE LINES, IF PRESENT, CAN PROMOTE INITIATION OF CRACKS, WHICH OVER TIME MAY POSSIBLY LEAD TO AXLE BEAM FAILURE AND A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.

Remedy: MACK WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, INSPECT AND REPLACE ANY AFFECTED AXLE BEAMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MACK AT 1-800-866-1177.

Reported: 2012-01-20 (January 20, 2012)

MACK TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2005 MR AND LE HEAVY TRUCKS, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2002, THROUGH DECEMBER 22, 2004. OVER TIME, THE VEHICLE’S LOAD MAY RESULT IN FATIGUE CRACKS OF THE FRONT AXLE BEAM. THESE CRACKS CAN PROPAGATE AND RESULT IN COMPLETE FRACTURE OF THE AXLE BEAM.

Consequence: IF COMPLETE FRACTURE OCCURS, THE DRIVER MAY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: THIS RECALL RELATES TO PREVIOUS RECALLS 09V-240 AND 10V-069. ANALYSIS OF THESE RECALLS HAS SHOWN THAT AFTER THE RECEIVING THE REMEDIES, THE AXLES MAY STILL CRACK. AS SUCH, MACK TRUCKS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED AXLES ON ANY MR AND LE MODELS CONFIGURED AS FRONT-LOADER OR SIDE-LOADER REFUSE TRUCKS. AXLES ON ALL OTHER MR AND LE MODELS WILL RECEIVE A MAG-PARTICLE INSPECTION AND MACK WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED AXLE BEAMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN iIN JULY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MACK TRUCKS AT 1-800-866-1177.