Defect
STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUTS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AND/OR TORQUED.
Remedy
RENEW AND RETORQUE STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUTS.
1988 Mack Rd Series problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1988 Mack Rd Series — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 8 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
0
NHTSA complaints
8
Recalls
0
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 1988 compare to other Rd Series years?
Does the 1988 Mack Rd Series have recalls?
8 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
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.
Defect
DOWELS MAY HAVE BEEN OMITTED DURING SPRING CAP INSTALLATION; THIS WOULD PUT SHEAR LOAD ON THE FOUR (4) SPRING CAP BOLTS.
Consequence
THIS COULD RESULT IN LOOSENING AND FAILURE OF THE BOLTSWITH POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL AND ACCIDENT POTENTIAL.
Remedy
INSTALL THE MISSING DOWELS TO PREVENT MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE SPRING CAP AND AXLE HOUSING.
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
CERTAIN ENGINE SUPPORT CASTINGS WERE PRODUCED WITH FAULTY METALLURGY AND COULD FAIL.
Consequence
FAILURE OF ONE OR BOTH BRACKETS COULD CAUSE DISLOCATIONOF ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN TRUCK DISABLEMENT,POSSIBLE LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
REPLACE REAR ENGINE SUPPORTS AS NECESSARY.
Defect
SOME OF THE NUTS/BOLTS USED TO FASTEN THE STEERING PITMAN ARM MAY LOOSEN.
Consequence
THIS WOULD ALLOW THE PITMAN ARM TO COME OFF THE STEERINGGEAR SECTOR SHAFT AND RESULT IN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A VEHICLECRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
RETORQUE NUTS/BOLTS WHERE NECESSARY.
Defect
COMPRESSION OF FRONT SPRINGS COULD INTERFERE WITH THE 90 DEGREE CROSSOVER FITTINGS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE GEARS.
Consequence
IF ONE OF THE FITTINGS BREAK, THE HYDRAULIC FLUID ISLOST, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POSSIBLY A CRASH.
Remedy
REPLACE CENTER PORT STEERING GEAR CYLINDER HEADS WITH NEW SIDE PORT CYLINDER HEADS. ALSO, INSTALL THICKER BUMPER STOPS TO ELIMINATE SPRING TO GEAR CONTACT.
Defect
CLAMP PLATES USED BETWEEN THE DRIVE SHAFT AND CARRIER YOKES MAY CRACK AND COULD BREAK DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT.
Consequence
IF CLAMP PLATE BREAKS, YOKE WOULD FLY OFF AT DETACHEDPOINT AND COULD INJURY ANYONE STRUCK BY FLYING FRAGMENTS. ALSO, THE DETACHEDINNER SHAFT COULD INTERFERE WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM AIR SUPPLY HOSES AND TRACTORTIRES, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF TRUCK CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
INSTALL NEW CLAMPING PLATES AND CAPSCREWS IN ALL LOCATIONS AS NEEDED.
1988 Mack Rd Series — common questions
Is the 1988 Mack Rd Series reliable?
The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 8 recalls should be verified as completed.
Does the 1988 Mack Rd Series have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 1988 Mack Rd 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.