Defect
AN INCORRECT HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.
Consequence
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, HOSE COULD FAIL RESULTING INLOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST AND POSSIBLY AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
REPLACE INCORRECT POWER STEERING HOSES.
1987 Mack R Series problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1987 Mack R Series — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
0
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
0
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 1987 compare to other R Series years?
Does the 1987 Mack R Series have recalls?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
THERE MAY BE INSUFFICIENT WELD WHERE THE STEP IS WELDED TO THE FUEL TANK.
Consequence
WELD CRACKS COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE STEPS TO DISENGAGEAND POSSIBLY INJURE PERSONS ENTERING OR LEAVING THE TRUCK.
Remedy
REPLACE FUEL TANK STEPS WITH CRACKS; MODIFY OTHERS TO PREVENT STEP FROM SEPARATING FROM THE TANK.
Defect
FASTENERS THAT HOLD THE REAR WHEEL TO THE HUB AND DRUM ASSEMBLY MAY BE IMPROPERLY TORQUED.
Consequence
AN UNDERTORQUED FASTENER WILL LOOSEN UP AND CAN RESULT INWHEEL SEPARATION, LOSS OF CONTROL, AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
PROPERLY TORQUE REAR WHEEL SPACE FASTENERS.
1987 Mack R Series — common questions
Is the 1987 Mack R Series reliable?
The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.
Does the 1987 Mack R Series have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1987 Mack R Series. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Related
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.