1978 Mack R Recalls, Complaints & Specs
6 safety recalls list the 1978 Mack R. Check your own VIN below.
6 safety recalls for the 1978 Mack R
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Engine (engine and engine cooling)
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…
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.
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Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)
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.
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Multiple axle (suspension)
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.
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Hanger/bracket (suspension)
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.
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Interconnecting assembly(wiring) (service brakes)
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…
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.
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Multiple axle (suspension)
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.
No owner complaints on file
NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1978 Mack R. For context, the average model year in NHTSA's database has dozens; a zero can mean a reliable vehicle, a rare one, or both.
Compare Mack R model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Mack R model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 Mack R | 1 | 0 |
| 1966 Mack R | 1 | 0 |
| 1967 Mack R | 2 | 0 |
| 1968 Mack R | 3 | 0 |
| 1969 Mack R | 5 | 0 |
| 1970 Mack R | 5 | 0 |
| 1971 Mack R | 9 | 0 |
| 1972 Mack R | 7 | 0 |
| 1973 Mack R | 9 | 0 |
| 1974 Mack R | 6 | 0 |
| 1975 Mack R | 6 | 0 |
| 1976 Mack R | 4 | 0 |
| 1977 Mack R | 10 | 0 |
| 1978 Mack R | 6 | 0 |
| 1979 Mack R | 3 | 0 |
| 1982 Mack R | 1 | 0 |
| 1983 Mack R | 1 | 0 |
| 1984 Mack R | 1 | 0 |
| 1987 Mack R | 1 | 0 |
| 1988 Mack R | 1 | 0 |
| 1989 Mack R | 3 | 0 |
| 1990 Mack R | 2 | 0 |
| 1991 Mack R | 1 | 0 |
| 1992 Mack R | 1 | 0 |
Checking a specific 1978 Mack R
How do I know if my 1978 Mack R has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 6 campaigns currently list the 1978 Mack R; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Mack dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 78V031000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Mack models
- Mack28 complaints
- Anthem (an)12 complaints
- Granite (gr)9 complaints
- CXU6127 complaints
- Ch6 complaints
- Gu6 complaints
- CH6005 complaints
- Cxu5 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.