- The problem
- The accelerator rod hole clearance is not adequate and can cause the accelerator linkage to bind. Consequence of defect: if binding occurs while in a full throttle position, accelerator control would be lost without warning and an accident could occur.
- The fix
- Enlarge the accelerator rod hole to eliminate interference within accelerator linkage.
Vehicle safety record
1981 Mack RD Series Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1981 Mack RD Series have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in January 1986 for the cables.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical RD Series year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1981 Mack RD Series recalls 3
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.
- The problem
- The right hand clearance lamp is obscured, from certain angles of vision, by the in-line precleaner air cleaner cap. The involved vehicles fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment".
- The fix
- Dealer will replace the air cleaner with one of acceptable height.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1981 Mack RD 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 RD Series: every year compared
All RD Series years1981 Mack RD Series vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 Mack RD Series | 0 | 3 | F | |
| 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 RD Series
Does the 1981 Mack RD Series have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1981 Mack RD Series: cables (January 1986); shaft pitman (December 1981); exterior lighting (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 RD Series had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1981 Mack RD Series a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 23 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Mack RD 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 RD 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