# Mack Anthem Common Problems & What to Check | Big Rig Risk

> Mack Anthem: documented problems include turbo and actuator and leaking injectors. What to inspect before you buy used.

**Verdict:** inspect

Used pricing varies; see sources. Biggest documented cost risk: turbo and actuator failure with DPF fouling. Buy only after inspection.

**Documented failure risks:**
- Turbo and actuator: Turbo + actuator failure with DPF fouling, full cost breakdown documented on camera by the truck's owner: labor $837.50, parts about $5,787, DPF cleaning/shipping $312.50, totaling $9,136.54 including 4 nights hotel.
- Leaking injectors: Injector leaking down causes loss of prime, leading to a no-start condition.

## Sources
- [truckpaper.com](https://www.truckpaper.com/listings/for-sale/mack/anthem/sleeper-trucks) (accessed 2026-08-19)
- [youtube.com](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLraFkmb6E0) (accessed 2026-08-19)
- [youtube.com](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5KofkC_2Y0) (accessed 2026-08-19)
- [youtube.com](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odchxPquMQk) (accessed 2026-08-19)
- [youtube.com](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTD-LEFyBSk) (accessed 2026-08-19)
- [NHTSA recall 21V233000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsacampaignnumber=21V233000) — "Mack Trucks, Inc. (Mack) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Anthem (AN), Granite (GR/GU), and Pinnacle (CHU/CXU/PI) vehicles equipped with "camelback" rear suspension and electronic stability control.  The vehicles may not stay in their lane at certain speeds.  As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 136, "Electronic Stability Control Systems on Heavy Vehicles."" (accessed 2026-09-11)
- [NHTSA recall 24V398000 (STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsacampaignnumber=24V398000) — "Mack Trucks, Inc. (Mack) is recalling certain 2025 Mack AN, GR, and TE trucks.  The drag link may contain an improperly heat-treated ball stud that can fail, resulting in a sudden loss of steering control." (accessed 2026-09-11)

_Last verified 2026-09-11. Source: Big Rig Risk — https://bigrigrisk.com/trucks/mack-anthem-mack-mp8/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._