2008 Mack CHU Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Problem: Mack Trucks, Inc. (Mack) notified the agency on February 20, 2014, that they are recalling certain model year 2010-2012 CHU, CXU, GU and TD vehicles manufactured from June 16, 2009, through July 8, 2011. While continuing to research the scope of the issue, Mack expanded the recall on November 18, 2014 to include certain model year 2008-2009 and 2013-2014 CHU, CXU, GU and TD vehicles manufactured from June 16, 2009, through July 8, 2011. Having completed its investigation, Mack once again expanded the recall during February 2015 to include an additional 53,780 vehicles from model years 2007 and 2015. The recall now covers model year 2007-2015 includes CHU, CXU, GU and TD vehicles produced October 13, 2006, through October 3, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the Electronic Power Distribution Module (EPDM) may be contaminated from water leaks in, and around, the windshield. If exposed to water leaks, contaminants such as road salts may deposit on the EPDM.

Risk: Deposits of contaminants may result in the circuits being bridged, creating a high resistance short, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Mack has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the EPDM. If contamination has occurred, dealers will replace the EPDM and address the leak, free of charge. Owners of model year 2010-2012 CHU, CXU, GU and TD vehicles were initially notified April 24, 2014. Owners affected by the recall expansions were notified in February 2015. Owners may contact Mack Trucks at 1-336-393-2000. Mack's number for this recall is SC0375.

Problem: Mack is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 CHU and CXU vehicles, manufactured from October 13, 2006, through December 23, 2009 and equipped with daytime running lights and fog lights. A short in the fog light circuit may cause the low beam headlight circuit to cut out.

Risk: If the low beam headlights go out, the driver may lose visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Mack will notify owners, and install an additional wiring harness on the affected vehicles, free of charge. The safety recall began on November 14, 2012. Owners may contact Mack Trucks at 1-800-866-1177.

Problem: On certain trucks, the bolts that attach the steering gear to the frame may not have been tightened to the specified torque.

Risk: Loss of steering control could occur increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will tighten the bolts free of charge. The recall began on december 10, 2007. Owners may contact mack trucks at 1-800-528-6586.

Problem: On certain trucks, the daytime running lights (drl) module may contain a suspect metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (mosfet) that could overheat.

Risk: If the transistor overheats, it could possibly result in a vehicle fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the suspect drl module free of charge. The recall began on october 31, 2007. Owners may contact mack trucks at 1-800-528-6586.

Problem: On certain trucks equipped with bendix sr-7 spring brake modulating valves, the internal rubber check valve may leak causing a delay in the application of the spring brakes to park the vehicle after the operator pulls the dash valve button.

Risk: This could delay or failure in applying the parking brakes which could result in a vehicle roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Mack is working with bendix to repair these vehicles (please see 07e037). Bendix will install a check valve repair kit for the affected sr-7 spring brake modulating valve free of charge. The recall began on january 10, 2008. Owners may contact bendix at 1-440-329-9000 or mack at 1-800-528-6586.

Problem: On certain trucks equipped with parker single check valves (scv) provided by bendix. The defect exists in the parker scv that connects with the supply port of the sr-7 spring brake modulating valve. After prolonged use of the parker scv, the valve body retainer may become excessively worn and eventually break apart. Pieces of the parker scv can become lodged inside the sr-7 spring brake modulating valve, potentially causing either leakage out of the sr-7 valve or preventing air from properly exhausting from the sr-7 valve.

Risk: This condition can cause a delay in the application of the spring brakes to park the vehicle after the operator pulls the dash valve button. These conditions can occur without warning, leading to unintended vehicle rollaway, brake drag, or in the case of loss of primary circuit, inability to modulate the spring brakes.

Fix: Mack is working with bendix to replace the parker single check valve. The recall began on january 9, 2008. Owners may contact bendix at 1-440-329-9000 or mack at 1-800-528-6586.

Problem: On certain trucks, an unprotected lead in the thermoswitch of the heater may make contact with another post possibly creating a short circuit, which can result in continuous operation of the heating element.

Risk: If the condition exists and the key is left on without fuel in the filter, the heating element may heat to a point where a flame becomes present at the tip of the element which could result in a vehicle fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the thermoswitch and will replace it if necessary. The recall began on september 10, 2007. Owners may contact mack trucks at 1-800-528-6586.

Problem: On certain trucks, the nut used to retain the steering shaft may or may not be a lock nut that has the locking feature. A lock nut is required to provide additional resistance to ensure that the nut does not come loose.

Risk: If the nut were to come loose and be left untreated, the steering shaft could potentially separate increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the steering shaft pinch bolts and locknuts free of charge. The recall began on august 24, 2007. Owners may contact mack trucks at 1-800-528-6586.