Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Mack CV, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Structure1
- Service brakes, air1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 15 2003 CV vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 5 people died inside them, and 5 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 2003 Mack CV.
| 2009199 7 Jul 2009 | Suspension On certain vehicles, the front axle beam may not have been manufactured correctly. Transverse shear lines on the bottom of the axle could allow cracks to form … |
| 2004397 10 Nov 2004 | Fuel System On certain vehicles, the steps for operator and passenger ingress/egress of the vehicle were not properly welded to the fuel tank straps. If the pedestal step … |
| 2003332 12 Dec 2003 | Fuel System On certain vehicles, the fuel tank bracket was not welded per specifications and could separate from the chassis. If this were to happen, the fuel tank could r… |
| 2003315 5 Dec 2003 | Brakes Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 121 "Air Brake Systems". Due to improper seating of the check valve retainer in the brass fitting… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mack told its dealers about the 2003 Mack CV: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10246086 | TSB: Mack Trucks now offer an improved HD Inter-Axle Through Shaft for the CRD 125, 150, 180, and 200 family carriers. The new HD shaft went into production on January 23rd, 2023 for 2.54 - 3.50 axle ratios and April 1st, 2023 for 3.56 - 3.98 ratios. The new HD through shaft is an upgrade over the current standard shaft and can now be used as a replacement part instead of the standard shaft. The new HD shaft has a new design to increase strength, longevity and life over the standard shaft. |
| 10241946 | TSB: Barksdale Leveling Valve, Leak Test |
| 10238788 | V-MAC III Odometer And Engine Hours Programming |
| 10237339 | CBR: eWarranty To UCHP Labor Code ( SCC Code ) Crossover, Conversion Information For Use With Campaigns ( FI, PI ) And Recalls ( EC, SC ), Location On Trucks Dealer Portal ( TDP ) |
| 10215315 | Programming Failure - Chassis With Cummins Engine And An Allison Transmission |
| 10215312 | (Back Office) - Cruise Control Inoperative After Updating Software VECU5 Without ESP Package (UESP). |
| 10215289 | Automated Manual Transmission ( AMT ) I-Shift / mDRIVE - Ribbon Harness Replacement - Speed Sensor Bolts, Possible Fault Codes P1058 - 21 Or MID 130 PID 161 FMI 1 |
| 10215287 | US10 Emission Engines - Diagnostic Trouble Code ( DTC ) SPN 1231 FMI 9 Troubleshooting. |
| 10213658 | Emcon (Spark Assist) Engine Aftertreatment System Troubleshooting Check Sheet - US07 Emissions |
| 10213652 | Low Oil Pressure Diagnostic Process For 11 Liter Engines |
| 10213644 | Premium Tech Tool ( PTT ) Training Materials And Support Tools |
| 10213642 | No Start Condition After Over The Air Programing - VECU5 No Start "Safe State" |
| 10213641 | Temperature Sensor Troubleshooting Guide - US10+OBD13 And Newer |
| 10213640 | Electronically Controlled Suspension (ECS) Losing Air Pressure |
| 10213639 | Low Voltage Disconnect (LVD), Function Description |
| 10213638 | DEF Pump Troubleshooting Guide - US10+OBD13 And Newer Emissions |
| 10213637 | DEF Pump Cycling periodically Hours After Key Off |
| 10213636 | Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) Muffler Troubleshooting Guide - US10+OBD13 And Newer Emissions |
| 10213633 | USE FOR NEW VEHICLES (US21+OBD22 Emissions) - Intermittent Diagnostic Trouble Codes U02A3, U029D, U029E |
| 10213632 | NOx Sensor Troubleshooting Guide - US10+OBD13 And Newer Emissions |
| 10213630 | Mack Chassis - Vehicles Equipped With An Automated Manual Transmission Model F ( AMT-F, mDrive ), Premium Tech Tool ( PTT ) Gearbox Calibration Failure; Gearbox Calibration Operation Stops And Fails At 33% When Run With Transmission Removed |
| 10213625 | Mack - PTO Pump Speed Calculator |
| 10213612 | (Back Office Only) Mack Chassis - Cruise Control Inoperative After Disabling The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) |
| 10213609 | Mack Chassis - Diesel Exhaust Fluid ( DEF ) System Cleaning/Flush After DEF Pump Failure Or System Contamination |
| 10213608 | Mack Chassis - Bendix Vendor Configuration Program ( VCP ) Software Download Information |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)