Model year record

1978 MACK RWS

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

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 79V137000

Steering: linkages

Component
Steering: linkages
Manufacturer
MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED
Vehicles affected
6,673
Reported to NHTSA
1979-06-01
Owners notified
1979-10-22

Defect description

THE PITMAN ARM RETAINING NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATIONS. THIS COULD RESULT IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE NUT AT THE OUTPUT SHAFT, ALLOWING THE PITMAN ARM TO BECOME LOOSE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND RETORQUE PITMAN ARM, IF NECESSARY, AT NO COST TO OWNER.

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 79V130000

Steering: steering wheel/handle bar

Component
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
Manufacturer
MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED
Vehicles affected
2,187
Reported to NHTSA
1979-05-30
Owners notified
1979-11-23

Defect description

IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT TWO SCREWS THAT ARE PART OF THE BEARING ASSEMBLY LOCATED AT THE CAB DASH SHEET MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED PROPERLY. AS A RESULT, THE UPPER STEERING SHAFT MAY BE FREE TO "FLOAT" THROUGHOUT MUCH OF ITS LENGTH WHICH MAY RESULT IN INADEQUATE ENGAGEMENT IN THE SLIP SPLINES OF THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT. AXLE ARTICULATION COULD RESULT IN DISENGAGEMENT OF THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT SLIP SPLINES.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALER WILL INSTALL A SLEEVE BETWEEN THE DASH SHEET BEARING AND THE UPPER STEERING SHAFT LOWER YOKE TO ASSURE POSITIVE UPPER STEERING SHAFT LOCATION.

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 78V170000

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Component
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Manufacturer
MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED
Vehicles affected
850
Reported to NHTSA
1978-08-08
Owners notified
1978-12-04

Defect description

THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS THAT THE ALUMINUM ENGINE REAR SUPPORT BRACKETS MAY FAIL DUE TO METAL FATIGUE. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE WOULD ALLOW THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY TO DISLOCATE DOWNWARD. THIS WILL RESULT IN THROTTLE CONTROL LOSS WITH THE ENGINE OPERATING CONTINUOUSLY IN THE MID TO UPPER RANGE OF THE GOVERNED SPEED RANGE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ALUMINUM SUPPORT BRACKETS WITH BRACKETS MADE FROM DUCTILE IRON FOR INCREASED STRENGTH.

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.