2002–2005 Mack LE, 2002–2005 Mack MR Recall: Suspension

The defect

MACK TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2005 MR AND LE HEAVY TRUCKS, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2002, THROUGH DECEMBER 22, 2004. OVER TIME, THE VEHICLE S LOAD MAY RESULT IN FATIGUE CRACKS OF THE FRONT AXLE BEAM. THESE CRACKS CAN PROPAGATE AND RESULT IN COMPLETE FRACTURE OF THE AXLE BEAM.

The risk

IF COMPLETE FRACTURE OCCURS, THE DRIVER MAY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

The fix — what to do

THIS RECALL RELATES TO PREVIOUS RECALLS 09V-240 AND 10V-069. ANALYSIS OF THESE RECALLS HAS SHOWN THAT AFTER THE RECEIVING THE REMEDIES, THE AXLES MAY STILL CRACK. AS SUCH, MACK TRUCKS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED AXLES ON ANY MR AND LE MODELS CONFIGURED AS FRONT-LOADER OR SIDE-LOADER REFUSE TRUCKS. AXLES ON ALL OTHER MR AND LE MODELS WILL RECEIVE A MAG-PARTICLE INSPECTION AND MACK WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED AXLE BEAMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN iIN JULY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MACK TRUCKS AT 1-800-866-1177.

MACK TRUCKS' RECALL NUMBER IS SC0361.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.