1978 Mack Rs Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1978 Mack Rs has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 107,081 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 79V134000 1979-05-30 64,150 affected
Defect

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.

Remedy

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 78V222000 1978-10-11 161 affected
Defect

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

Remedy

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

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.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR 78V030000 1978-02-09 400 affected
Defect

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…

Remedy

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

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 Rs as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.