- The problem
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
1978 Mack DM Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1978 Mack DM have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 6 recalls, the latest in May 1979 for the engine.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical DM year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1978 Mack DM recalls 6
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
- 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.
- The fix
- Dealer will install an additional bracket in this area to prevent the steering wheel from dislocating in the event of a bracket failure.
- The problem
- 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.
- The fix
- Vehicles will be inspected and, if necessary, the correct fasteners will be installed at no charge to owner.
- The problem
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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".
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- The existing cross steering arms may have insufficient fatigue life in the neck area. This is near the boss for the cross steering tube ball joint connection. Failure of either of the cross steering levers could lead to loss of steering control of the right front wheel.
- The fix
- The dealer will inspect and, if necessary, install cross steering arms of improved design and greater strength.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1978 Mack DM 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 DM: every year compared
All DM years1978 Mack DM vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 Mack DM | 0 | 6 | F | |
| 1978 Mack Mack | 2 | 3 | D | Compare |
| 1978 Mack RD Series | 1 | 1 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1978 Mack DM
Does the 1978 Mack DM have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 1978 Mack DM: engine (May 1979); steering wheel / handle bar (May 1979); steering wheel / handle bar (April 1979); multiple axle (January 1979) 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 1978 Mack DM had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1978 Mack DM a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 16 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Mack DM 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.
What should I do if my 1978 Mack DM 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