Vehicle recall 81V088000 · July 8, 1981

Mack F Series, MC Series and 2 more models

The retaining pin for the brake control knob has been misaligned (off the center line of the valve plunger hole).

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

Summary: The retaining pin for the brake control knob has been misaligned (off the center line of the valve plunger hole). This causes the knob to be overstressed at the retaining pin hole area causing it to separate from the valve.
Remedy: The holes will be retooled to provide correct alignment and plastic knobs will be replaced by knobs of stronger material having metal reinforcements.
Notes: Vehicle description: trucks equipped with brake control knobs.system: service brakes; knob retaining pin.consequences of defect: with the knob broken off, the control valve wouldbecome difficult or impossible to operate. One or a combination of brakeapplications would not be possible and the vehicle could be parked in an unsafecondition. An accident and personal injury could result.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 81V088000
Reported to NHTSA: July 8, 1981
Filed by: MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED
Owner notification: December 21, 1981
Vehicles potentially affected: 10,000
Initiated by: the manufacturer
Components: Service brakes, air › Controls › Hand control/valve

Recall 81V088000 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 F Series (1979-1980): 1980, 1979
Mack MC Series (1979-1980): 1980, 1979
Mack R Series (1979-1980): 1980, 1979
Mack U Series (1979-1980): 1980, 1979

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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