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2003 Mack Cv Recalls & Complaints

5

open safety recalls on record

Critical

2 owner complaints filed · Severity Index 1.50 · updated 2026-08-07

The recalls

Critical03V420000

Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly

IF THE FUEL TANK SEPARATES FROM THE VECHILE, THERE IS A RISK THE TANK MAY RUPTURE CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK ON THE GROUND WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy & full details

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 1, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MACK AT 1-610-709-3337.

ON CERTAIN CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH DEFIANCE METAL FUEL TANK SUPPORT BRACKET ASSEMBLIES, THE FUEL TANK BRACKET WAS NOT WELDED PER SPECIFICATION. THIS CAN CAUSE THE FUEL TANK TO SEPARATE FROM THE CHASSIS DURING ASSEMBLY OPERATION.

Serious04V530000

Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting

IF THE PEDESTAL STEP MOUNTING BRACKET SEPARATED FROM THE FUEL TANK STRAP, PASSENGER COULD FALL FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN ENTERING OR EXITING THE CAB, raises the risk of PERSONAL INJURIES.

Remedy & full details

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING STRAP AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN FEBRUARY 7, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MACK TRUCKS AT 1-610-709-3337.

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING STRAP WAS NOT WELDED TO SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY FAIL. THE FUEL TANK STRAP SUPPORTS AND FASTENS THE STEPS FOR THE OPERATOR AND PASSENGER TO ENTER AND EXIT THE CAB.

Serious10V069000

Power Train:Axle Assembly

THESE LINES, IF PRESENT, CAN PROMOTE INITIATION OF CRACKS, WHICH OVER TIME MAY POSSIBLY LEAD TO AXLE BEAM FAILURE AND A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.

Remedy & full details

MACK WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, INSPECT AND REPLACE ANY AFFECTED AXLE BEAMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MACK AT 1-800-866-1177.

MACK TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2004 CL, CV, LE, MR, RB, RD, AND MODEL YEAR 2003 THROUGH 2004 DM HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2002 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2003, EQUIPPED WITH AXLE BEAMS MANUFACTURED BY BHARAT FORGE. THE AXLE BEAM MAY HAVE TRANSVERSE SHEAR LINES ON THE BOTTOM OF THE AXLE FROM THE TRIMMING PROCESS.

Serious04V118000

Service Brakes, Air:Disc:Chamber

THIS COULD CAUSE THE STOPPING DISTANCE TO BE INCREASED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy & full details

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE CHAMBERS. THE RECALL BEGAN APRIL 21, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MACK AT 1-610-709-3337.

CERTAIN TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE FRONT BRAKE CHAMBER ON SOME 18,000 LB. AND 20,000 LB FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLIES IS TOO SMALL TO MEET STOPPING DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS.

Moderate03V253000

Service Brakes, Air:Supply:Check Valve

IN THIS CONDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MEET THE EMERGENCY REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy & full details

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CHECK VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 26, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MACK AT 1-610-709-3337.

CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." IMPROPER SEATING OF THE CHECK VALVE RETAINER IN THE BRASS FITTING HOUSING HAS OCCURRED. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE AIR BRAKE SYSTEM PRESSURE TO PUSH THE CHECK VALVE INTERNAL PARTS INTO THE PRIMARY SYSTEM RESERVOIR AND A VEHICLE OPERATOR WOULD NOT KNOW THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED.

Complaint volume

2 this model-year 8 median, same year

Volume alone is not a fault rate — popular vehicles attract more reports. Read it next to the severity mix below.

What owners reported happened

0Crashes
1Fires
0Injuries
0Deaths

Across 2 complaints. Severity Index 1.50.

Severity Index weights each complaint's reported outcome (death ×10, injury ×4, fire ×3, crash ×2) and divides by total complaints. It measures how severe reports are, not how often faults occur.

What owners report most

Service Brakes, Air · Dis…1 · 50%Structure · Frame And Mem…1 · 50%
  1. Service Brakes, Air:Disc:Chamber — 1 reports
  2. Structure:Frame And Members — 1 reports

What to do

  1. Find your 17-character VIN on the driver's door jamb or the base of the windscreen.
  2. Check it against NHTSA's official lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls — the authoritative record for your exact car.
  3. Book the repair with any franchised dealer. Safety recall work is free, with no time limit and regardless of who owns the car now.

Other model years

2003 · 2005 (4)

Numbers in brackets are open recall campaigns for that year.

Questions

Does an open recall mean the car is unsafe to drive?

Not usually. NHTSA issues a "do not drive" or "park outside" advisory when a defect is dangerous enough to keep you out of the car — those are flagged Critical above. Everything else should be repaired promptly but is not an immediate stop-driving order.

Do I pay for recall repairs?

No. Federal law requires the manufacturer to fix a safety recall free of charge, including parts and labour, whether or not you are the original owner.

Why are there complaints but no recalls?

Complaints are unverified reports filed by owners. They can prompt an investigation, but many never become recalls — either the fault isn't safety-related or it isn't widespread.