Mack Anthem

Get use to it, they're nothing but trouble. The last company I worked for bought 50 initially, and had ordered another 50 for the following year, but after all the issues they had with them, they cancelled the 2nd order. Build quality sucked, electrical problems out the wazoo, engine and transmission issues (which was odd because they used the same MP8 and mDrive as the Pinnacles did without many issues). If they change their mind and move to a different manufacturer, better hope it isn't Freightliner. I've been in 2 newer model Cascadias and they are just as bad as the Anthems were at the other company...they make me wish for an International with a Maxxfarce again (which I thought was the worst truck ever until I drove these piles of spare parts. I never thought I'd say this, but I miss my Pinnacle.

 

I dont know if you know or not but your 1994 mack was a mack. The macks today are all volvo junk. Mack sold out years ago.

 

We got five. After six months one went sideways down the highway.
Bolts fell out of frame mount allowing front drive axle left side to swing back into rear drive axle.
Checked other trucks. One other had loose bolts same spot.

 

I know they are part of the same company, but I rather have new Volvo than any new Mack.

 

I gotta say I’m surprised and disappointed with the Mack anthem myself. The pinnacles were solid despite the uncomfortable stock seats and cramped sleeper.

Twice now I’ve pushed in the foot pedal to adjust the steering column only to have it break. Rendering the truck almost impossible to drive. If you have one I recommend not to fiddle with that thing too much. Oh yeah and of course the service light is always on.

 

The last Pinnacle I had, had the Seats brand custom drivers seat (Silver Legacy I think). It was way to soft and flappy for me. It felt like it was made from and old worn out sofa cushion. Before I left, I had actually thought about swapping it with the stock passenger seat.

I pissed off the last Mack dealer's head technician the last time I had the Pinnacle in the shop for the little yellow engine light. It had something like 7 or 8k errors for one sensor. When he asked why I waited so long to bring it in I told him, 'I thought that light means the engine hadn't fallen out yet since most of our Anthems with the same engine and transmission had their MIL light on from day one, and nobody could make them stay off for more than a few hours...'. He was not amused.

 

I've no doubt whatsoever these were virus builds, and the workers were both emotionally and psychologically damaged during production.

 

It's crazy to see how much Mack has changed. There's thousands of R models still going to work every day and there's brand new Anthems already falling apart. The ole 237/5 speed pouring smoke making a whopping 55 mph top speed could out-work a 505/12 spd auto any day of the week