Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1981 Mack R Series — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
0
NHTSA complaints
4
Recalls
0
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
THE ACCELERATOR ROD HOLE CLEARANCE IS NOT ADEQUATE AND CAN CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR LINKAGE TO BIND. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF BINDING OCCURS WHILE IN A FULL THROTTLE POSITION, ACCELERATOR CONTROL WOULD BE LOST WITHOUT WARNING AND AN ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
ENLARGE THE ACCELERATOR ROD HOLE TO ELIMINATE INTERFERENCE WITHIN ACCELERATOR LINKAGE.
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
THE RIGHT HAND CLEARANCE LAMP IS OBSCURED, FROM CERTAIN ANGLES OF VISION, BY THE IN-LINE PRECLEANER AIR CLEANER CAP. THE INVOLVED VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT".
Remedy
DEALER WILL REPLACE THE AIR CLEANER WITH ONE OF ACCEPTABLE HEIGHT.
Defect
THE PITMAN ARM RETAINING BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE REQUIRED SPECIFICATIONS DUE TO A DESIGN CHANGE. INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE BOLT TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT COULD ALLOW THE PITMAN ARM TO LOOSEN.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, RETORQUE THE RETAINING BOLT TO PROPER SPECIFICATIONS AT NO CHARGE.
The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1981 Mack R Series. 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.