Steering wheel retaining nuts may have been improperly installed and/or torqued.
1968-1989 · 20 model years
Mack R Series Problems by year
Owners have filed 1 complaints about the Mack R Series across 20 model years, and it has 18 recalls. The 1984 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (1). The most reported problem area is the transmission & drivetrain.
- Complaints
- 1
- Recalls
- 18
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
R Series complaints by model year
Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.
Most common R Series problems
Mack R Series recalls 18
Torque rod bolts are grade 2 instead of grade 5, which is not to specification, and could fail.
An incorrect high pressure power steering hose may have been installed.
There may be insufficient weld where the step is welded to the fuel tank.
Certain engine support castings were produced with faulty metallurgy and could fail.
Fasteners that hold the rear wheel to the hub and drum assembly may be improperly torqued.
Some of the nuts/bolts used to fasten the steering pitman arm may loosen.
Clamp plates used between the drive shaft and carrier yokes may crack and could break due to improper heat treatment.
The accelerator rod hole clearance is not adequate and can cause the accelerator linkage to bind. Consequence of defect: if binding...
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.
Improper steering clamp bolts and torque applied during installation. The bolt could fail, allowing the steering yoke to become loose.
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.
Latest R Series complaints
1984 Mack super liner drive shaft broke rupturing the fuel tank. Consumer states that when the drive shaft broke and ruptured the fuel tank it spilled about 50 to 75 gallons of diesel fuel onto the roadway. *Kb
Questions about the Mack R Series
Which Mack R Series years have the most problems?
By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 1984 (1). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 1984 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.
Which Mack R Series years have the fewest complaints?
What are the most common Mack R Series problems?
Across every model year, owners report problems with the transmission & drivetrain (1) most often.
How many recalls does the Mack R Series have?
NHTSA lists 18 recalls across all Mack R Series model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data