Hearth Record

Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor (Mack)

Vehicle recall 81V-157. NHTSA received MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED’s report on Dec 29, 1981.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. NHTSA’s own record is on nhtsa.gov.

The short answer

NHTSA received MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED’s report on Dec 29, 1981. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 25, 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.

WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS IN THE “ON” POSITION AND THE HEATER IS OPERATING AT THE “LOW” OR “MEDIUM” SETTING, THE HEATER SWITCH WIRING WILL OVERLOAD IN THE EVENT THE HEATER MOTOR SEIZES.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.

  • NHTSA’s part: Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor.

What should you do?

A SPEED VARIATION RESISTANCE UNIT AND AN ELECTRIC MOTOR MOISTURE PROTECTION CAP WILL BE INSTALLED WITHOUT CHARGE.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS.SYSTEM: HEATING; CAB HEATER MOTOR, ELECTRICAL SWITCH.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF THE VEHICLE IS STANDING STILL (PARKED OR STOPPED INTRAFFIC) HEAT GENERATED BY THE OVERLOAD MAY MELT AND IGNITE THE SURROUNDINGPLASTIC HOUSING AND WIRE COVERING. A FIRE COULD SPREAD QUICKLY THROUGHOUT THECAB, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.NOTE: OWNER IS ADVISED TO MAKE SURE HEATER/DEFROSTER FAN MOTOR IS FUNCTIONALBEFORE USING CAB HEATER PRIOR TO REPAIR. HEATER/DEFROSTER BLOWER SHOULD NOT BEUSED IN “LOW” OR “MEDIUM” SPEEDS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED OR ENGINE ISIDLING.
  • Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.

Which ones are recalled?

NHTSA counts 4,920 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.

  • Mack MS200Pand 1979, 1980 and 1981, before the model years listed here
  • Mack MS300Pand 1979, 1980 and 1981, before the model years listed here

Who is recalling it?

  • Made by MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED.
Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 25, 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.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

Source:

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 25, 2026.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

From the homeNone yet. Replies and paid listings aren’t open, and when they open they will sit here, below the record.

1 of 4

Every fact names its source.

Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

Sign in

A free account keeps your watch list, shortlists, comparisons and saved searches on every device, and can email you when something you watch changes. Browsing never needs one.