- The problem
- Spring seat can deform, which causes a decrease in the clamping force in the suspension assembly. Loss of clamping force may bring about axle misalignment or axle housing failure.
- The fix
- The axle housing will be inspected and replaced, if necessary. The spring seats will also be replaced.
Vehicle safety record
1981 Mack MR Series Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1981 Mack MR Series have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in March 1984 for the leaf spring assembly.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical MR Series year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1981 Mack MR Series recalls 2
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 pitman arm retaining bolt may not have been tightened to the required specifications due to a design change. Inadequate retention of the bolt to the output shaft could allow the pitman arm to loosen.
- The fix
- The dealer will inspect and, if necessary, retorque the retaining bolt to proper specifications at no charge.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1981 Mack MR Series 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 MR Series: every year compared
All MR Series years1981 Mack MR Series vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 Mack MR Series | 0 | 2 | D | |
| 1981 Mack Mack | 1 | 3 | D | 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 1981 Mack MR Series
Does the 1981 Mack MR Series have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1981 Mack MR Series: leaf spring assembly (March 1984); shaft pitman (December 1981). 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 1981 Mack MR Series had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1981 Mack MR Series a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 26 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Mack MR Series 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 1981 Mack MR Series 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