Steering: linkages (Mack)
Vehicle recall 81V-086. NHTSA received MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED’s report on Jul 8, 1981.
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The short answer
NHTSA received MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED’s report on Jul 8, 1981. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
The notice gives no hazard in a field of its own.
THE INVOLVED TRUCKS HAVE PITMAN ARMS WITH TIMING MARKS AND SERRATIONS LOCATED 8 DEGREES OUT OF PROPER ALIGNMENT.
WHEN THE CHASSIS IS RAISED TO THE MAXIMUM CONDITION WITH THE WHEELS SUSPENDED OR DROPPED INTO A DEEP HOLE, THE PITMAN ARM AND DRAG LINK CAN GO INTO TOGGLE POSITION.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Steering: linkages.
What should you do?
UPON INSPECTION, ALL DEFECTIVE PITMAN ARMS WILL BE REPLACED WITH PROPERLY TIMED ARMS.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH LEFT HAND STEERING AND 9QC3239-P3PITMAN ARM.SYSTEM: STEERING; STEERING GEAR LEVER (PITMAN ARM).CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: UNDER THESE CONDITIONS THE STEERING WOULD LOCK,RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND, POSSIBLY, AN ACCIDENT.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 100 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- Mack RD400and 1981, before the model years listed here
- Mack RD600and 1981, before the model years listed here
- Mack R700and 1981, before the model years listed here
- Mack R600and 1981, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 20, 2026 and checked Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.