Peterbilt 520 Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 24 safety recalls and 4 owner complaints across 37 model years of the Peterbilt 520 (1990–2026). The most-complained-about year is 2020.

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What Peterbilt 520 owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. The 2020 model year has the most, with 3.

• Service brakes4

All Peterbilt 520 recalls (24)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Peterbilt 520, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

1. Steering

   NHTSA 26V022000 Reported January 19, 2026 219 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR Incorporated

   PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2026 Kenworth L770 and 2024-2026 Peterbilt 520 vehicles. The right-hand stand-up (RHSU) configuration on the steering cross-shaft may become stressed and fail.

   Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the steering cross-shafts and replace any damaged or broken cross-shafts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 13, 2026. Owners may contact Peterbilt's customer…

   Model years: 2024, 2025, 2026

2. Software (exterior lighting)

   NHTSA 25V436000 Reported June 26, 2025 56,260 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR Incorporated

   PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Kenworth T480, T680, T880, W990, Peterbilt 520, 536, 537, 548, 567, 579, 589, 2025 Kenworth T180, Peterbilt 535, 2025-2026 Kenworth T280, T380 and L770 vehicles. The tail brake light, upper and lower beam headlights, reverse light, and turn signal may not illuminate as…

   Remedy: Dealers will update the VCU software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 19, 2025. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220.…

   Model years: 2024, 2025, 2026

3. Propulsion system (electrical system)

   NHTSA 25V181000 Reported March 24, 2025 238 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR Incorporated

   PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Peterbilt 520, 579, and 2021-2025 Kenworth T680 trucks. The high voltage (HV) contactors may open, causing a sudden loss of high voltage and a loss of drive power.

   Remedy: Dealers will update the software and replace the electrical harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2025. Owners may contact Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220 and Kenworth's…

   Model years: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

4. Software (electrical system) and service brakes, hydraulic: control unit/module

   NHTSA 24V915000 Reported December 9, 2024 220,764 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR Incorporated

   PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Peterbilt and Kenworth vehicles, equipped with Bendix EC80 Advanced Electronic Control Units (ECU). Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. Electrical noise and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly process commands or stop…

   Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt's customer service at…

   Model years: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

5. Arm (steering) and tie rod assembly (steering)

   NHTSA 24V908000 Reported December 3, 2024 68 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR Incorporated

   PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2024 Peterbilt 367, 389, 548, Kenworth T480, T800, 2024-2025 Peterbilt 520, 567 and Kenworth T880 vehicles with PACCAR 20k steer axles. The steering arm and/or tie rod bracket fasteners may fail, resulting in a loss of steering control.

   Remedy: Dealers will install new correctly torqued fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2025. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 or Peterbilt's customer…

   Model years: 2024, 2025

6. Tie rod assembly (steering) and connection (steering) Do not drive

   NHTSA 24V433000 Reported June 12, 2024 7,410 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR Incorporated

   PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2025 Kenworth K270, K370, L770, T280, T380, T480, T680, T880, W900, W990, 2025 Peterbilt 220, 520, 536, 537, 548, 567, 579, and 589 trucks. The tie rod or drag link assembly may contain an improperly heat-treated ball stud, causing the ball stud to break.

   Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the tie rod and drag link assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were…

   Model years: 2025

7. Arm (steering)

   NHTSA 24V043000 Reported January 25, 2024 68 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR Incorporated

   PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2024 Peterbilt 367, 389, 520, 567, and Kenworth T800, T880, W900, and W990 trucks. The bearing journals may not be fully seated in the steering knuckle assemblies, preventing the proper installation of the wheel end hub assemblies.

   Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering knuckle assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed February 23, 2024. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220 and/or…

   Model years: 2024

8. Steering

   NHTSA 24V044000 Reported January 25, 2024 45,887 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR Incorporated

   PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Kenworth T280, T380, T480, T680, T880, L770, W990, and 2024-2025 Peterbilt 389, 520, 535, 536, 537, 548, 567, 579, 589 trucks. The steering gear assemblies may have been assembled incorrectly with fewer recirculating balls than are required, which may result in a loss of…

   Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering gears as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 20, 2024. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220 and/or Kenworth…

   Model years: 2024, 2025

9. Engine

   NHTSA 23V749000 Reported November 7, 2023 9 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR Incorporated

   PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2024 Peterbilt 520 vehicles. The rear lifting bracket that attaches to the engine cylinder head may be insufficiently secured, which can allow it to detach.

   Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the flanged stud in the rear lifting bracket, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification were mailed November 14, 2024. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at…

   Model years: 2024

10. Multiple axle (suspension)

    NHTSA 22V939000 Reported December 16, 2022 15,658 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR Incorporated

    PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2015-2023 Peterbilt 320 and 520 refuse trucks equipped with Haulmaax/EX suspensions. The suspension tracking rod brackets may fail and detach from the forward drive axle, causing the axle to become unstable.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the welds and add an additional bracket between the tracking rod bracket and axle housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 14, 2023.…

    Model years: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

11. Engine control module (ecu/ecm) (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 22V631000 Reported August 17, 2022 1,601 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR Incorporated

    PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2023 Peterbilt 220, 389, 520, 536, 537, 348, 367, 567, 548, 579, and 2023 Kenworth T680, K270, T440, T880, W990, K370, T280, T380, T480, T800, and W900 vehicles. The engine control module (ECM) may experience an internal electrical short-circuit, causing the engine to stall.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the ECM, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 16, 2022. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt's customer service at…

    Model years: 2023

12. Steering

    NHTSA 22V547000 Reported July 28, 2022 47,500 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR Incorporated

    PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Kenworth T170, T270, T280, T370, T380, T440, T470, T480, T680, T800, T880, W900, W990, C500, and 2022-2023 Peterbilt 325, 330, 337, 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, 536, 537, 548, 567, and 579 vehicles. The steering gears may have been assembled incorrectly, which can cause the gears…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering gear serial numbers, and replace the steering gears as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2022. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer…

    Model years: 2022, 2023

13. Critical fasteners (steering)

    NHTSA 22V277000 Reported April 25, 2022 17,641 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR Incorporated

    PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Kenworth T270, T370, T440, T470, T660, T680, T880, T800, W900, W990; and 2018-2020 Peterbilt 330, 337, 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, 567, and 579 vehicles. The Dana D-Series axle steer arm fasteners that attach the steering arm to the steering knuckle may fail.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace and torque the steer arm fasteners, at no charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2022. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt customer…

    Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020

14. Service brakes, air

    NHTSA 21V720000 Reported September 16, 2021 15 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR Incorporated

    PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Peterbilt 520 vehicles. The quick release valve on the rear brake signal hose may be missing. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles for a missing quick release valve, and install one if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 7, 2021. Owners may contact PACCAR's customer service…

    Model years: 2020, 2021

15. Fuel rail (fuel system)

    NHTSA 21V391000 Reported May 26, 2021 612 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR Incorporated

    PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Peterbilt 337, 348, 365, 367, 520, 567, Kenworth T270, T370, T440, T470, T800 and T880 vehicles. The sealing washer may not seat correctly in the pilot bore holes, allowing the high pressure fuel rail assembly to leak.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rail threads and fuel lines, and replace the rail as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-425-828-5888 (Kenworth) or 1-940-591-4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's…

    Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

16. Column (steering)

    NHTSA 21V004000 Reported January 11, 2021 1,021 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR Incorporated

    PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2015-2021 Peterbilt 320 and 520 vehicles. The steering column support structure may crack or break in certain right-hand, stand-up drive models.

    Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the 520 models right hand stand-pp steering column structure and replace it if cracks are present, as well as add additional support brackets to the new (if replaced)…

    Model years: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

17. Electronic stability control (esc)

    NHTSA 20V739000 Reported November 25, 2020 11 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR Incorporated

    PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Peterbilt 520 vehicles. The stability control brake relay may have the Spring Brake Modulating (SBM) Valve or the lift axle hose incorrectly connected.

    Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the suspect chassis and correct the brake relay plumbing if needed, free of charge. PACCAR has issued owners an interim notification on January 4, 2020. Owner…

    Model years: 2020, 2021

18. Axle assembly (power train)

    NHTSA 20V506000 Reported August 26, 2020 1,097 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR Incorporated

    PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Peterbilt 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, 567 and Kenworth T800, T880, W900, W990 vehicles equipped with Watson and Chalin steerable lift axle suspension systems (model SL2065). The axles may have lower rear pivot bolts that are not long enough to sufficiently engage the locking…

    Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect suspect chassis and replace the pivot bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2020. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at…

    Model years: 2020, 2021

19. Electric power assist system (steering)

    NHTSA 20V429000 Reported July 24, 2020 239 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR Incorporated

    PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020 Peterbilt 520 vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used to secure the steering assist cylinder bracket, possibly allowing the bolts to loosen.

    Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will install hardware with thread adhesive and replace any components damaged by the improperly secured steer assist bracket, free of charge. The recall began August 17, 2020.…

    Model years: 2020

20. Service brakes, air

    NHTSA 20V132000 Reported March 4, 2020 233 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR Incorporated

    PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2016-2020 Peterbilt 320 and 520 vehicles with dual foot valves and a liftable tag or tri-drive rear axles. The rear brake signal hose may be missing a quick release valve, possibly causing a delay in their brake release timing. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements…

    Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will check the vehicles for a quick release valve, installing one as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2020. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at…

    Model years: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

21. Steering

    NHTSA 19V917000 Reported December 20, 2019 21 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR Incorporated

    PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Peterbilt 520 vehicles built in Right-Hand Stand-Up configuration. The steering assist cylinder bracket may not have been properly mounted.

    Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will correcting the mounting, free of charge. PACCAR issued owners an interim notification on January 31, 2020. The recall began March 4, 2020. Owners may contact Peterbilt…

    Model years: 2018, 2019

22. Axle shaft (power train) and driveshaft (power train)

    NHTSA 19V911000 Reported December 19, 2019 148 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR Incorporated

    PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020 Kenworth T800, T880 and W990 and Peterbilt 348, 367, 389, 520, and 567 vehicles. The forward rear axle output shafts may have been improperly heat treated during manufacturing, possibly resulting in the shafts fracturing.

    Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the output shafts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2020. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 or…

    Model years: 2020

23. Turn signal (exterior lighting) and tail lights (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 19V452000 Reported June 14, 2019 343 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR Incorporated

    PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 1990-2020 Peterbilt 320 and 520 vehicles built with specific amber rear turn signals. The turn signals may also light up with the stop/tail lights when the brakes are applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS)…

    Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and for trucks with rear amber lights, dealers will add a jumper harness between the chassis electrical harness and amber tail lights, free of charge. The recall began August 1, 2019. Owners…

    Model years: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

24. Engine and electrical system

    NHTSA 19V282000 Reported April 9, 2019 5,051 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR Incorporated

    PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Peterbilt 520 vehicles. Due to undersized wires, the connector between the cab power harness and the power distribution center (PDC) harness may overheat and melt, possibly resulting in an engine shutdown.

    Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will replace the main power wire to the PDC with a wire of the correct size, free of charge. The recall began August 6, 2019. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at…

    Model years: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

Other Peterbilt models

• 37960 complaints
• 57942 complaints
• Peterbilt36 complaints
• 38923 complaints
• 38821 complaints
• 35719 complaints
• 38612 complaints
• 38711 complaints

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.