1979 Mack RL Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 1979 Mack RL. Check your own VIN below.
3 safety recalls for the 1979 Mack RL
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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Leaf spring assembly (suspension)
The spring seat plate, located between the axle housing and the suspension springs, may deform due to spring bending. As a result, the clamping force in the assembly may be reduced. Loss of clamping force could cause spring failure and the axle will dislocate. Also, the tire could come into contact with the spring.
Remedy: The dealer will replace the existing spring seat with a newly fabricated seat which is welded to the housing. An improved spring clamping plate and new springs will also be installed without charge.
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Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)
The flange head pinch bolts used in the yokes of the steering shaft assemblies may have been overstressed due to the bolts not being tightened to specifications. As a result, the pinch bolts could break while in service.
Remedy: Flange head pinch bolts will be replaced with standard grade 8 fasteners without charge to owner.
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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.
No owner complaints on file
NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1979 Mack RL. 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 RL model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Mack RL model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 Mack RL | 1 | 0 |
| 1967 Mack RL | 1 | 0 |
| 1968 Mack RL | 3 | 0 |
| 1969 Mack RL | 4 | 0 |
| 1970 Mack RL | 5 | 0 |
| 1971 Mack RL | 8 | 0 |
| 1972 Mack RL | 5 | 0 |
| 1973 Mack RL | 3 | 0 |
| 1974 Mack RL | 8 | 0 |
| 1975 Mack RL | 8 | 0 |
| 1976 Mack RL | 5 | 0 |
| 1977 Mack RL | 8 | 0 |
| 1978 Mack RL | 5 | 0 |
| 1979 Mack RL | 3 | 0 |
Checking a specific 1979 Mack RL
How do I know if my 1979 Mack RL 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. 3 campaigns currently list the 1979 Mack RL; 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 79V133000).
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.