Recall 16V456 covers 64 2013 Mack Pinnacle (Cxu) trucks with improperly heat-treated steer axles. Repair will be free at a Mack dealer once available.
Mack is recalling 64 2013 Pinnacle (Cxu) trucks because certain Meritor FF967 non-drive front steer axles were incorrectly heat treated. An axle fracture can cause loss of vehicle control and raise crash risk, and the dealer repair will be free once Mack makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The 2013 Mack Pinnacle (Cxu) uses a Meritor FF967 non-drive front steer axle at the front of the truck. This axle carries the front weight of the tractor and holds the steering parts that let the front wheels pivot. The steering knuckle and king pin connect the wheel end to the axle beam, so that joint has to stay tight and properly supported.
The recall involves front steer axles that were incorrectly heat treated during manufacturing. Heat treatment gives the axle parts their required strength and shape stability. If that process is wrong, the area around the knuckle and king pin connection can deform, and the knuckle and king pin can loosen from the beam.
Meritor reported plasticity around failed areas, which means the metal showed visible deformation before the joint fully loosened. A driver can notice looseness, unusual steering feel, or visible movement around the front axle area before failure.
Who's affected?
Both the front suspension and steering system are listed for the same truck scope.
| 2013 Mack Pinnacle (Cxu) | front suspension |
|---|---|
| 2013 Mack Pinnacle (Cxu) | steering system |
| Units affected | 64 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
An improperly heat treated axle can fracture, causing loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash. If the steering feels loose or the truck handles abnormally, stop using it and call a Mack dealer for guidance. Repair will be free at any franchised Mack dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Mack Pinnacle (Cxu) is included in this recall.
- Wait for Mack's repair instructions before scheduling dealer work if your VIN is included.
- Call Mack customer service at 1-800-866-1177 with questions and reference recall number 16V456 when you call.
- Ask a franchised Mack dealer about the front-steer-axle inspection and replacement that fixes the incorrectly heat-treated axle fracture risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Mack mailed one, along with any axle or prior repair paperwork.
- Drive cautiously until the axle inspection is complete and avoid carrying unnecessary load.
What happens at the repair
Mack's listed remedy is an axle inspection. Once the dealer repair is available, a Mack technician will inspect the front steer axles for the specific heat code serial numbers covered by recall 16V456. Any affected axle will be replaced, with parts and labor covered by the recall. Mack has a general reimbursement plan on file for this campaign. If you already paid for a related axle repair, contact Mack customer service with your repair documentation and ask how that plan applies.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 22, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 24, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| June 24, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 29, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| July 29, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 1, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V456?
Recall 16V456 covers 64 2013 Mack Pinnacle (Cxu) trucks with Meritor FF967 non-drive front steer axles that were incorrectly heat treated. The axle can fracture and cause loss of vehicle control. Mack dealers inspect the axle heat code serial numbers and replace affected axles for free.
What should I do if my 2013 Mack Pinnacle (Cxu) is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 16V456. If it is, call a franchised Mack dealer and ask for the axle inspection under recall SC0404. Give the dealer the recall number and ask whether the axle replacement is needed.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Mack's remedy states that affected axles will be replaced free of charge. The dealer inspection and covered axle replacement are free at a franchised Mack dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of vehicle control if an incorrectly heat treated front steer axle fractures. Recall 16V456 ties that failure to an increased crash risk. Until your VIN and axle heat code are checked, treat the front axle inspection as the next step.
When did Mack begin this recall?
Mack began recall 16V456 on August 1, 2016. The recall uses Mack internal number SC0404, and Mack customer service is listed at 1-800-866-1177. A franchised Mack dealer can confirm whether your truck still needs the axle inspection or replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V456000 |
|---|---|
| Mack customer service | 1-800-866-1177 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V456 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V456000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - 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 →