1978 Mack R Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1978 Mack R has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 91,387 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 79V133000 1979-05-31 23,000 affected
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…

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.

STEERING 79V082000 1979-04-03 12,000 affected
Defect

AN IMPROPER PINCH BOLT AND NUT MAY HAVE BEEN USED IN THE CLAMPING OF THE STEERING SHAFT TO THE STEERING GEAR INPUT SHAFT. DUE TO CLAMPING FORCE LOADS APPLIED AT THE BOLT, THE NUT COULD YIELD, RESULTING IN LOOSENESS OF THE INPUT SHAFT YOKE. SHOULD THIS CONDITION GO UNNOTICED, SPLINE WEAR COULD CAUSE SHAFT SEPARATION.

Remedy

VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, THE CORRECT FASTENERS WILL BE INSTALLED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

SUSPENSION 79V018000 1979-01-12 17 affected
Defect

THE STEEL BRACKETS ON THE SUSPENSION BEAM WERE FOUND TO BE DEFICIENT DUE TO EXCESSIVE SHRINKAGE AND LOW MECHANICAL PROPERTIES. FAILURE OF ONE OR BOTH OF THESE BRACKETS COULD CAUSE A SEPARATION OF THE AXLE HOUSING FROM THE SUSPENSION.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ANY SUSPECT BOGIE SPRING INSULATOR CAPS WITH NEW CAPS MEETING THE PROPER SPECIFICATIONS AT NO COST TO OWNER.

SUSPENSION 79V017000 1979-01-12 4,000 affected
Defect

A CASTING DEFICIENCY EXISTS IN THE LOWER SECTION OF THE CAPS RESULTING IN A REDUCTION IN THE THICKNESS OF THE MATERIAL. FAILURE OF A CAP CAN ALLOW THE END OF THE REAR SPRING TO DETACH FROM THE AXLE HOUSING.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ANY OF THE SPRING INSULATOR CAPS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. THIS WILL BE DONE AT NO COST TO OWNER.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR 78V210000 1978-10-03 19,370 affected
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…

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.

SUSPENSION 78V031000 1978-02-09 33,000 affected
Defect

THE TEE BRACKET, WHICH IS MOUNTED ON THE FRONT AXLE OF THE BOGIE, MAY FAIL DUE TO VIBRATION BROUGHT ON BY ROAD SURFACE IRREGULARITIES. BRACKET FAILURE WOULD LEAVE THE TEE BRACKET UNSUPPORTED AND CAUSE BROKEN HOSE CONNECTOR FITTINGS. THIS WOULD RESULT IN AUTOMATIC APPLICATION OF THE SPRING EMERGENCY BRAKES.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BRACKET WITH A REDESIGNED VERSION.

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1978 Mack R as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.