Model year record

1978 MACK RL

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. No owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 79V133000

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Component
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Manufacturer
MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED
Vehicles affected
23,000
Reported to NHTSA
1979-05-31
Owners notified
1979-11-02

Defect description

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 79V134000

Steering: steering wheel/handle bar

Component
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
Manufacturer
MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED
Vehicles affected
64,150
Reported to NHTSA
1979-05-30
Owners notified
1979-11-10

Defect description

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALER WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL BRACKET IN THIS AREA TO PREVENT THE STEERING WHEEL FROM DISLOCATING IN THE EVENT OF A BRACKET FAILURE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 78V222000

Electrical system: wiring

Component
Electrical system: wiring
Manufacturer
MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED
Vehicles affected
161
Reported to NHTSA
1978-10-11
Owners notified
1979-02-07

Defect description

A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD OCCUR DUE TO CHAFING OR WIRE DISCONNECTION IN THE BOX.

Manufacturer remedy

THE WIRING IN THE SLEEPER BOX WILL BE CORRECTED, FREE OF CHARGE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 78V210000

Service brakes, air: antilock: interconnecting assembly(wiring)

Component
Service brakes, air: antilock: interconnecting assembly(wiring)
Manufacturer
MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED
Vehicles affected
19,370
Reported to NHTSA
1978-10-03
Owners notified
1978-11-07

Defect description

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".

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 78V030000

Service brakes, air: supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, air: supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED
Vehicles affected
400
Reported to NHTSA
1978-02-09
Owners notified
1978-08-23

Defect description

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.

Manufacturer remedy

THE DEALER WILL RELOCATE THE AIR SYSTEM COMPRESSOR GOVERNOR LINE AND PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE TO ELIMINATE MOISTURE ACCUMULATION.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

No complaints recorded for this model year.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.