Vehicle recall 78V172000 · August 8, 1978

Mack CF, DM and 3 more models

The existing cross steering arms may have insufficient fatigue life in the neck area.

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

Summary: The existing cross steering arms may have insufficient fatigue life in the neck area. This is near the boss for the cross steering tube ball joint connection. Failure of either of the cross steering levers could lead to loss of steering control of the right front wheel.
Remedy: The dealer will inspect and, if necessary, install cross steering arms of improved design and greater strength.
Notes: Vehicle description: truck tractors.system: steering; steering arm.consequences of defect: loss of steering control could lead to loss of vehiclecontrol and an accident.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 78V172000
Reported to NHTSA: August 8, 1978
Filed by: MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED
Owner notification: February 22, 1979
Vehicles potentially affected: 13,800
Initiated by: the manufacturer
Components: Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm

Recall 78V172000 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 CF (1974-1978): 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974
Mack DM (1974-1978): 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974
Mack DMM (1974-1978): 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974
Mack MB (1974-1978): 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974
Mack RD (1974-1978): 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974

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.

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