NHTSA vehicle safety data
2020 Peterbilt 579 Recalls & Complaints
The 2020 Peterbilt 579 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Peterbilt dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2020 Peterbilt 579. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2020 Peterbilt 579 owner complaints
Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Peterbilt 579, describing incidents dated September 17, 2020 to December 18, 2023.
Most-cited components
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 1 complaint
- Forward Collision Avoidance 1 complaint
- Service Brakes 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #11560967 · Filed
Vehicle has a following distance sensor on front bumper. Sensor is sensing overpasses when traveling underneath them and that should not be detected. Vehicle is automatically applying hard braking. This is causing a possible rear end collision and or loss of vehicle controll in wet conditions.
ODI #11360473 · Filed
EOA SUPPORT BRACKET BROKE OFF AND THE EOA MANIFOLD FELL INTO THE DRIVE SHAFT CAUSING THE LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE. THE TRUCK WAS ON THE INSTATE IN THE CITY.
Steering Fasteners May Fail
NHTSA #22V277000 · Steering — Critical Fasteners · NHTSA notice
Reported April 25, 2022 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 17,641 vehicles
Repair completion: 64.34% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 22 PBB and 22 KWB · Owners notified November 8, 2022
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
Fastener failure can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Manufacturer 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 service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 22 PBB and 22 KWB.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Methane Detection System May Fail
NHTSA #21V00N000 · Electrical System — Wiring · NHTSA notice
Reported December 29, 2021 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 1,107 vehicles
Repair completion: 47.06% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 21KWH and 21PBN · Owners notified December 1, 2022
Defect description
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Peterbilt 567, 579, 2021-2022 Peterbilt 536, 2017-2021 Kenworth T880, 2016-2022 Kenworth T680, 2018-2020 Kenworth T440, 2020 Kenworth T270, and 2021 Kenworth T280 vehicles. The methane detection system will not function if the system loses power.
Safety consequence
The operator may be unaware of a system malfunction or the presence of excessive methane levels, increasing the risk of injury or fire.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will re-wire the warning alarm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 1, 2022. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220, and Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 21KWH and 21PBN.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Work Brake May Unintentionally Disengage
NHTSA #21V906000 · Service Brakes, Air · NHTSA notice
Reported November 19, 2021 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 908 vehicles
Repair completion: 55.73% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 21KWG and 21PBM · Owners notified January 3, 2022
Defect description
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Kenworth T880, W990, Peterbilt 567, 579, 389, and 2022 Peterbilt 536, 537 wrecker and auto hauler vehicles. The work brake (winch brake) may unintentionally disengage the service brakes during winching operations, causing the vehicle to roll.
Safety consequence
Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 2022. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-425-828-5888 (Kenworth); or 1-940-591-4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 21KWG and 21PBM.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Underhood Battery Jumper Cable May Short Circuit
NHTSA #20V130000 · Electrical System — 12V/24V/48V Battery — Cables · NHTSA notice
Reported March 4, 2020 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 35,671 vehicles
Repair completion: 83.64% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 20PBA · Owners notified April 30, 2020
Defect description
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Peterbilt 365, 389, 567, and 579 vehicles equipped with a left-hand under hood jumper terminal (option code 2539410). The positive battery jumper terminal cable may be too long, allowing it to chafe against the left front suspension spring and result in an electrical short circuit.
Safety consequence
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer remedy
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the battery jumper terminal cables, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 30, 2020. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 20PBA.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Incorrect Placement of Conspicuity Tape
NHTSA #19V733000 · Visibility · NHTSA notice
Reported October 15, 2019 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 248 vehicles
Repair completion: 80.24% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 19PBE · Owners notified November 4, 2019 · Vehicles built August 26, 2019 – September 12, 2019 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020 Peterbilt 579 vehicles equipped with a sleeper box. The conspicuity tape may have been installed in the incorrect location, affecting the vehicle's visibility to other drivers on the road. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Safety consequence
Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will install additional conspicuity tape on back of sleeper in correct location, free of charge. The recall began November 4, 2019. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 19PBE.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Mirror Glass May Detach
NHTSA #19V340000 · Visibility — Rearview Mirrors/Devices — Exterior · NHTSA notice
Reported May 1, 2019 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 3,907 vehicles
Repair completion: 67.24% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 19KWC and 19PBC · Owners notified May 31, 2019 · Vehicles built February 15, 2019 – March 15, 2019 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020 Peterbilt 520 and 579 vehicles and Kenworth T680, T880 and W990 vehicles. The mirror glass may detach from the mirror carrier plate due to inadequate adhesion.
Safety consequence
If the mirror glass detaches, the driver may have reduced visibility and the mirror glass will become a road hazard that may strike another vehicle or pedestrian, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Manufacturer remedy
PACCAR has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the upper mirror glass/mirror carrier, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 31, 2019. Kenworth owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt owners may call 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall is 19KWC and 19PBC.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other Peterbilt 579 model years
Check your 2020 Peterbilt 579 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Peterbilt 579 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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