Recall 15V521 affects 79 2013-2015 Mack Pinnacle (Cxu) trucks for contaminated air brake calipers. Repair is free at any franchised Mack dealer.
Mack is recalling 79 2013-2015 Pinnacle (Cxu) trucks equipped with Meritor air disc brakes because incorrectly mounted brake chambers can contaminate the air brake calipers. That contamination can cause a loss of brakes on one wheel, lengthen stopping distance, and increase crash risk; Mack dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The 2013-2015 Mack Pinnacle (Cxu) trucks in this recall use Meritor air disc brakes. An air brake chamber converts compressed air into mechanical force, which helps the disc brake caliper clamp the brake pads against the rotor. The chamber has to sit in the correct position so the caliper stays sealed and the brake hardware moves as designed.
On these trucks, the brake chambers were installed incorrectly because the assembly documents were not clear. That mounting error lets contamination get inside the air brake calipers. Contamination inside the caliper can interfere with normal brake movement, so inspection is needed to find the issue and repair the brake assembly as required.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver should not count on pedal feel, noise, or a warning light to reveal this brake chamber mounting problem before the caliper is already contaminated.
Who's affected?
Covers the 2013, 2014, and 2015 Pinnacle (Cxu), all tied to the same brake system component.
| 2014 Mack Pinnacle (Cxu) | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2013 Mack Pinnacle (Cxu) | brake system |
| 2015 Mack Pinnacle (Cxu) | brake system |
| Units affected | 79 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Contaminated calipers can reduce braking on one wheel, which lengthens stopping distance and increases crash risk. There is no listed warning sign before the problem, so schedule the recall inspection soon and take any change in braking feel seriously. Repair is free at any franchised Mack dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2015 Mack Pinnacle (Cxu) is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mack dealer to schedule the free inspection and, if needed, the brake caliper and brake chamber repair that corrects the washer placement and contamination issue.
- Bring the recall notice if Mack mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V521 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the inspection or repair is complete; leave extra stopping distance.
- Call Mack customer service at 1-800-866-1177 with questions about the dealer repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mack technician inspects the disc brake caliper and brake chamber to confirm whether the washers are in the correct position. If the washers are positioned correctly, no further repair is needed. If they are not, the technician replaces the disc brake caliper and brake chamber, then installs two washers on each brake assembly. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Mack has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who paid for a related repair before the recall notice. Ask the dealer service desk what documentation Mack needs.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 17, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 19, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| August 19, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 30, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
| September 30, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V521?
Recall 15V521 covers 79 2013-2015 Mack Pinnacle (Cxu) trucks equipped with Meritor air disc brakes. Incorrectly mounted brake chambers can contaminate the air brake calipers, causing loss of braking at one wheel and longer stopping distance. Mack dealers will inspect and repair the brake assemblies for free.
What should I do if my 2013-2015 Mack Pinnacle (Cxu) is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 15V521. If it is, contact a franchised Mack dealer to schedule the brake inspection. Reference recall 15V521 and Mack recall SC0392 when you call. The inspection and any needed repair are free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair to be performed at no cost. Mack dealers will inspect the disc brake caliper and brake chamber, then replace affected parts and add the required washers per brake assembly free of charge when the washers are not in the correct position.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is longer stopping distance from a loss of braking at one wheel. The problem starts with contamination inside the air brake caliper after the brake chamber is mounted incorrectly. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer inspection and repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V521000 |
|---|---|
| Mack customer service | 1-800-866-1177 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V521 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V521000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →