Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1980 Mack CF — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
0
NHTSA complaints
5
Recalls
0
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
STRESSES IMPOSED ON THE LEVER DURING TURNING MANEUVERS AND/OR IMPACT INCIDENTS, SUCH AS WOULD BE CAUSED BY CURBS OR ROAD SURFACE IRREGULARITY, REDUCE THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF THE PART. THE STEERING LEVER MAY CRACK AND EVENTUALLY THE STRESSES COULD CAUSE THE STEERING LEVER TO BREAK.
Consequence
A BROKEN STEERING LEVER WILL CAUSE LOSS OF STEERINGCONTROL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING WHICH MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING ARMS.
Defect
THE SPLINED STEERING SHAFT MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENTLY ENGAGED AS DESIGNED DUE TO INACCURATE DRILLING OF THE HOLES IN THE FRAME TO WHICH THE CAB FRONT MOUNT MEMBER IS BOLTED. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS THE STEERING SHAFT MAY DISENGAGE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A JARRING IMPACT MIGHT CAUSE DISENGAMENT OF THE SPLINED SHAFT RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND POSSIBLY AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
REPLACE SHAFTS WHICH MEASURE UNDER THE MINIMUM ENGAGEMENT DIMENSIONS WITH LONGER SHAFT.
Defect
SPRING SEAT CAN DEFORM, WHICH CAUSES A DECREASE IN THE CLAMPING FORCE IN THE SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY. LOSS OF CLAMPING FORCE MAY BRING ABOUT AXLE MISALIGNMENT OR AXLE HOUSING FAILURE.
Remedy
THE AXLE HOUSING WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED, IF NECESSARY. THE SPRING SEATS WILL ALSO BE REPLACED.
Defect
ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES THE FLOORBOARD OPENING AND THE STEERING COLUMN SEAL BRACKET DO NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE TO ALLOW THE SHAFT TO TURN FREELY. THIS CAUSES THE PINCH BOLT TO BIND OR LOCK AGAINST THE SEAL BRACKET.
Remedy
THE HOLE IN THE FLOORBOARD WILL BE ENLARGED TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE OF THE STEERING COLUMN U-JOINT PINCH BOLT, AND A NEW BRACKET AND LAMP WILL BE INSTALLED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Defect
THE FLOORBOARD OPENING AND THE STEERING COLUMN SEAL BRACKET MAY NOT ALLOW SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE FOR THE SHAFT TO TURN FREELY IN THE CENTER OF THE BRACKET/SEAL. THE PINCH BOLT IN THE COLUMN YOKE MAY BIND OR LOCK THE COLUMN AGAINST THE BRACKET, ALLOWING LITTLE OR NO WHEEL RETURN.
Remedy
DEALER WILL ENLARGE THE HOLE IN THE FLOORBOARD TO PROVIDE CLEARANCE FOR THE STEERING COLUMN U-JOINT PINCH BOLT. A NEW BRACKET AND CLAMP WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1980 Mack CF. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.