1978 Mack WL: recalls and complaints

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All updates to the register

• 79V1370001 Jun 1979Steering / Linkages
• 79V13300031 May 1979Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine
• 78V2100003 Oct 1978Service Brakes, Air / Antilock / Interconnecting Assembly(Wiring)
• 78V1700008 Aug 1978Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine
• 78V0300009 Feb 1978Service Brakes, Air / Supply / Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings

1. 79V137000Received 1 Jun 1979. 6,673 units.

   Steering / Linkages

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   The pitman arm retaining nut may not have been torqued to manufacturer specifications. This could result in inadequate retention of the nut at the output shaft, allowing the pitman arm to become loose.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Dealer will inspect and retorque pitman arm, if necessary, at no cost to owner.

   Report filed by MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 22 Oct 1979.

2. 79V133000Received 31 May 1979. 23,000 units.

   Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Report filed by MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 2 Nov 1979.

3. 78V210000Received 3 Oct 1978. 19,370 units.

   Service Brakes, Air / Antilock / Interconnecting Assembly(Wiring)

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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".

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Report filed by MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 7 Nov 1978.

4. 78V170000Received 8 Aug 1978. 850 units.

   Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   The possibility exists that the aluminum engine rear support brackets may fail due to metal fatigue. This type of failure would allow the engine and transmission assembly to dislocate downward. This will result in throttle control loss with the engine operating continuously in the mid to upper range of the governed speed range.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace aluminum support brackets with brackets made from ductile iron for increased strength.

   Report filed by MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 4 Dec 1978.

5. 78V030000Received 9 Feb 1978. 400 units.

   Service Brakes, Air / Supply / Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   A design deficiency exists in the air dryer piping in the area of the pressure relief valve and compressor governor control link. Moisture is passed and builds up in this relief valve and control line. In freezing ambient temperatures, this moisture may freeze, allowing the chassis air system pressure to exceed 150 PSI. Excessive air system pressure can cause separation of air piping connections and air system valve failure.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   The dealer will relocate the air system compressor governor line and pressure relief valve to eliminate moisture accumulation.

   Report filed by MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 23 Aug 1978.

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

The NHTSA complaint file has no complaint for this model year.

The NHTSA investigation file has no investigation that names this model year.

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

1. 19721
2. 19731
3. 19747
4. 197513
5. 19768
6. 19778
7. 19785
8. 19794
9. 19801
10. 19811

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

• Mack WL: all model years
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• NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
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• NHTSA page of the 1978 Mack WLThe recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 1978 Mack WL?

50,293 units in 5 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.

How many recall campaigns does the Mack WL have for all model years?

NHTSA lists 22 recall campaigns for the Mack WL, model years 1972 to 1981. 5 of them name the 1978 model year.

Is an NHTSA investigation of the 1978 Mack WL open?

The NHTSA investigation file has no investigation that names this model year.