- The problem
- Vehicle description: heavy duty class 8 trucks equipped with fontaine fifth wheel assemblies. The fifth wheel mounting plates can crack.
- The risk
- Under the trailer loading, the mounting plate could eventually fail due to fatigue.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the mounting plates that are cracked.
Vehicle safety record
1989 Mack CH Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1989 Mack CH have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 7 recalls, the latest in May 2000 for the fifth wheel assembly.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical CH year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1989 Mack CH recalls 7
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- The driveshaft center bearing support bracket can crack and break.
- The risk
- If this happens, the driveshaft will wobble and can separate. Separation can result in damage to other components of the vehicle or loose fragments can fall onto the roadway presenting a hazard to other drivers.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the center bearing hanger bracket.
- The problem
- Fuel injection system reconfiguration to comply with engine emission standards cause higher engine vibration levels which lead to early wear and complete failure of the secondary throttle return mechanism.
- The risk
- In the event the primary throttle return fails, failure of the secondary throttle return system would not provide protection against loss of throttle control.
- The fix
- A new production secondary throttle return system configuration will be installed.
- The problem
- Lap and shoulder seat belt arrangement for fixed (non-suspension) seats does not meet the seat belt loading requirements of fmvss 210. The inboard clinch nut in cab sill, where the buckle for the shoulder and lap belt is mounted, pulled out of the sill during the tests. Consequence of defect: if seat belt anchirage fails, the seat occupant faces an increased risk of injury in an accident or sudden stop.
- The fix
- Relocate the inboard seat belt mounting from top of the sill to the forward flange of the sill on the cab floor, and add a 3mm fillet weld around the 2 inboard clinch nuts.
- The problem
- The upper and lower pinch bolt on the steering pitman arm and the lower pinch bolt connection on shephard power gears were not torqued correctly.
- The risk
- Pinch bolt could loosen and break; this could cause loss of truck steering control and result in a crash.
- The fix
- Install english hex head bolts and flat washers; torque pinch bolts to specifications.
- The problem
- Internal components of the e-12 dual circuit air brake valves may be misassembled so that one of the tapered snap rings is upside down.
- The risk
- The snap ring can come out causing the valve tomalfunction and apply the truck's brake system without warning; this couldresult in loss of control and a crash.
- The fix
- REPLACE MISASSEMBLED VALVES.
- The problem
- Steering wheel retaining nuts may have been improperly installed and/or torqued.
- The fix
- Renew and retorque steering wheel retaining nuts.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1989 Mack CH yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Mack CH: every year compared
All CH yearsQuestions about the 1989 Mack CH
Does the 1989 Mack CH have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 1989 Mack CH: fifth wheel assembly (May 2000); center support bearing (November 1994); vehicle speed control (February 1994); anchorage (June 1991) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1989 Mack CH had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1989 Mack CH a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 38 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Mack CH year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Mack CH years have the most complaints?
2002 (2), 1992 (1), 1994 (1). See every Mack CH year compared.
What should I do if my 1989 Mack CH has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data