Vehicle recall 03V253000 · July 17, 2003

Mack CH, CL and 8 more models

Certain heavy duty vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 121, "air brake systems." improper seating of the check valve…

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

Summary: Certain heavy duty vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 121, "air brake systems." improper seating of the check valve retainer in the brass fitting housing has occurred. It is possible for the air brake system pressure to push the check valve internal parts into the primary system reservoir and a vehicle operator would not know that this has happened.
Consequence: In this condition, the vehicle would not meet the emergency requirements of the standard.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the check valve. Owner notification began November 26, 2003. Owners should contact mack at 1-610-709-3337.
Notes: Mack recall no. SC0281.CUSTOMERS can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 03V253000
Reported to NHTSA: July 17, 2003
Filed by: MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED
Manufacturer campaign: SC0281
Owner notification: November 26, 2003
Vehicles potentially affected: 1,232
Initiated by: the manufacturer
Components: Service brakes, air › Supply › Check valve

Recall 03V253000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

Mack CH (2003): 2003
Mack CL (2003): 2003
Mack CV (2003): 2003
Mack CX (2003): 2003
Mack DM6 (2003): 2003
Mack DMM (2003): 2003
Mack LE (2003): 2003
Mack MR (2003): 2003
Mack RD6 (2003): 2003
Mack RD8 (2003): 2003

Has your Mack been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

Check your VIN with NHTSA

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