RecallMyCar

2020 Peterbilt 520 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

12 safety recalls list the 2020 Peterbilt 520, and owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

12
safety recalls
3
owner complaints to NHTSA

12 safety recalls for the 2020 Peterbilt 520

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Multiple axle (suspension)

    NHTSA 22V939000 Reported 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.…

  2. Critical fasteners (steering)

    NHTSA 22V277000 Reported 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…

  3. Service brakes, air

    NHTSA 21V720000 Reported 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…

  4. Fuel rail (fuel system)

    NHTSA 21V391000 Reported 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…

  5. Column (steering)

    NHTSA 21V004000 Reported 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)…

  6. Electronic stability control (esc)

    NHTSA 20V739000 Reported 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…

  7. Axle assembly (power train)

    NHTSA 20V506000 Reported 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…

  8. Electric power assist system (steering)

    NHTSA 20V429000 Reported 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.…

  9. Service brakes, air

    NHTSA 20V132000 Reported 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…

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

    NHTSA 19V911000 Reported 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…

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

    NHTSA 19V452000 Reported 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…

  12. Engine and electrical system

    NHTSA 19V282000 Reported 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…

3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2020 Peterbilt 520 have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. Complaints peaked in 2021 with 3 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“Truck was brought in because driver heard a grinding noise. Mechanic inspected and found that the front disc brake pads and separated from the backing. Truck was thought to still be under warranty and”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 2, 2021 · Service brakes

“After issue with first truck dealership asked to bring in others to be inspected and found same issue with them. Front brake pads were separating from backing. This truck had less mileage so damage no”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 2, 2021 · Service brakes

Compare Peterbilt 520 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Peterbilt 520 model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1990 Peterbilt 52010
1991 Peterbilt 52010
1992 Peterbilt 52010
1993 Peterbilt 52010
1994 Peterbilt 52010
1995 Peterbilt 52010
1996 Peterbilt 52010
1997 Peterbilt 52010
1998 Peterbilt 52010
1999 Peterbilt 52010
2000 Peterbilt 52010
2001 Peterbilt 52010
2002 Peterbilt 52010
2003 Peterbilt 52010
2004 Peterbilt 52010
2005 Peterbilt 52010
2006 Peterbilt 52010
2007 Peterbilt 52010
2008 Peterbilt 52010
2009 Peterbilt 52010
2010 Peterbilt 52010
2011 Peterbilt 52010
2012 Peterbilt 52010
2013 Peterbilt 52010
2014 Peterbilt 52010
2015 Peterbilt 52030
2016 Peterbilt 52040
2017 Peterbilt 52050
2018 Peterbilt 52080
2019 Peterbilt 52081
2020 Peterbilt 520123
2021 Peterbilt 52060
2022 Peterbilt 52040
2023 Peterbilt 52050
2024 Peterbilt 52080
2025 Peterbilt 52070
2026 Peterbilt 52020

Checking a specific 2020 Peterbilt 520

How do I know if my 2020 Peterbilt 520 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 12 campaigns currently list the 2020 Peterbilt 520; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Peterbilt dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 19V282000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Peterbilt models

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.