IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MACK CV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDE FRAME RAILS WERE BREAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
2003 Mack Cv
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cv years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Air. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
2 reportsTHIS VEHICLE IS A 2003 MACK TRUCK MODEL CV AND IS A STRAIGHT FRAME DUMP TRUCK WITH THREE REAR TANDEM AXLES. STOPPING IS ACHIEVED THROUGH A STANDARD AIR BRAKE SYSTEM WHERE COMPRESSED AIR IS USED AS THE ENERGY MEDIUM. THE BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT OF THE OPERATOR IS USED ONLY TO MODULATE THE AIR PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE CHAMBERS. TH…
Read full complaint
THIS VEHICLE IS A 2003 MACK TRUCK MODEL CV AND IS A STRAIGHT FRAME DUMP TRUCK WITH THREE REAR TANDEM AXLES. STOPPING IS ACHIEVED THROUGH A STANDARD AIR BRAKE SYSTEM WHERE COMPRESSED AIR IS USED AS THE ENERGY MEDIUM. THE BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT OF THE OPERATOR IS USED ONLY TO MODULATE THE AIR PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE CHAMBERS. THIS TRUCK CONFORMS TO THE DUAL BRAKE SYSTEM. ALTHOUGH THE ENERGY SOURCE IS COMPRESSED AIR, THE TRANSMISSION OF ENERGY FROM THE BRAKE CHAMBER TO THE FRICTION SURFACES INVOLVES LEVER ARMS AND CAMS. THE COMPRESSED AIR IN THE SPRING BRAKE CHAMBER MAINTAINS PRESSURE ON THE SPRING DURING NORMAL OPERATION. WHEN THE BRAKES ARE ACTIVATED, THE AIR IS RELIEVED ALLOWING THE SPRING TO DECOMPRESS AND APPLY THE FRICTION SURFACES TO THE DRUMS THROUGH THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE. THE FIRE PATTERNS INDICATE THAT THE FIRE WAS LOCALIZED AND ORIGINATED FROM FRICTION PRODUCED BY THE BRAKE PADS AGAINST THE DRUM ON THE CENTER RIGHT REAR TANDEM WHEELS. THE FRICTION PRODUCED TEMPERATURES IN EXCESS OF THE IGNITION TEMPERATURE OF THE TIRES CAUSING THEM TO IGNITE. THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL EVIDENCE OF ANY ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE SPRING BRAKE CHAMBER IS IDENTIFIED AS MGM 3431157, M092702, 190E 4100 P7. CONCLUSION THE FIRE WAS LOCALIZED AND PRODUCED BY FRICTION. THE FRICTION RESULTED FROM THE BRAKE PADS AGAINST THE DRUMS OF THE CENTER REAR RIGHT TANDEM BRAKES. THIS FRICTION PRODUCED SUFFICIENT TEMPERATURES TO IGNITE THE TIRES. THE APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES THAT PRODUCED THE FIRE RESULTED FROM A FAILURE OF THE SPRING BRAKE CHAMBER OR ITS CONTROLLING SERVICE RELAY VALVE. THE LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE RESULTED IN THE SPRING ACTIVATION OF THAT PARTICULAR BRAKE. *JB
Official recalls
510V069000 · Power Train:axle Assembly
Mar 3, 2010
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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: 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.
04V530000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting
Nov 1, 2004
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE PEDESTAL STEP MOUNTING BRACKET SEPARATED FROM THE FUEL TANK STRAP, PASSENGER COULD FALL FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN ENTERING OR EXITING THE CAB, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURIES.
Remedy: 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.
04V118000 · Service Brakes, Air:disc:chamber
Mar 4, 2004
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE STOPPING DISTANCE TO BE INCREASED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
03V420000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Oct 27, 2003
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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: 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.
03V253000 · Service Brakes, Air:supply:check Valve
Jul 17, 2003
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THIS CONDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MEET THE EMERGENCY REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CHECK VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 26, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MACK AT 1-610-709-3337.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.