NHTSA vehicle safety data
2021 Peterbilt 579 Recalls & Complaints
The 2021 Peterbilt 579 has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Peterbilt dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2021 Peterbilt 579. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2021 Peterbilt 579 owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2021 Peterbilt 579, describing incidents dated January 14, 2022.
Most-cited components
- Electrical System 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #11501812 · Filed
I was driving on a freeway when suddenly my truck lost all power. I managed to coast to a safe spot to park. I immediately opened hood and started troubleshooting. Left key on so I'd know if power came back on. After about 10 minutes of moving wires gently I found the issue. A power wire plug…
Loss of ABS and Electronic Stability Control
NHTSA #24V915000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Control Unit/Module · NHTSA notice
Reported December 9, 2024 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 220,764 vehicles
Repair completion: 76.11% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 24KWL 24PBL · Owners notified February 3, 2025 · Vehicles built April 6, 2020 – December 4, 2024 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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 functioning.
Safety consequence
Safety systems that depend on the ECU (Automatic Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Active Cruise Control, and Collison Mitigation System) may not function properly or at all, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer 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 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24KWL and 24PBL.
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 nhtsa.gov.
Improperly Crimped Connectors In Gear Shifter
NHTSA #24V190000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Lever and Linkage — Column Shift · NHTSA notice
Reported March 20, 2024 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 70,509 vehicles
Repair completion: 52.05% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 24PBE/24KWE · Owners notified December 15, 2025 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Peterbilt 365, 367, 389, 535, 536, 537, 548, 567, 579, and 2021-2025 Kenworth T180, T280, T380, T480, T680, T880 and W990 trucks. The right-hand gear shifter stalk connectors may have been improperly crimped, resulting in a loss of communication.
Safety consequence
A loss of communication between the gear shifter and the transmission may result in the vehicle becoming disabled after coming to a stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the gear shifter assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 15, 2025, then phased after that. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24PBE and 24KWE.
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.
U-Bolt May Puncture Fuel Tank
NHTSA #23V653000 · Fuel System, Diesel — Storage — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice
Reported September 27, 2023 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 1,315 vehicles
Repair completion: 94.3% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 23PBH · Owners notified November 3, 2023
Defect description
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Peterbilt 579 and 567 trucks. The U-bolts that attach the air tank to the chassis may contact the fuel tank and over time, wear a hole in the tank.
Safety consequence
A punctured fuel tank can leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will inspect and trim the U-bolts, and replace the fuel tank as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 3, 2023. Owners may contact Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 23PBH.
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.
Alternator Positive Cable May Chafe and Cause Fire
NHTSA #23V423000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice
Reported June 13, 2023 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 4,967 vehicles
Repair completion: 90.42% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 23PBD · Owners notified July 13, 2023
Defect description
PACCAR, Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Peterbilt 579 vehicles equipped with MX-13 engines and 160-amp alternators. A fastener on the front spring bracket may have been installed with the head on the outside of the frame rail, which can chafe and damage the alternator positive cable.
Safety consequence
A damaged alternator cable increases the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will replace the frame fastener and secure the alternator cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 23PBD.
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.
Loss of Rear Brake Signal
NHTSA #21V648000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice
Reported August 19, 2021 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 163 vehicles
Repair completion: 86.5% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 21PBJ · Owners notified March 11, 2022
Defect description
PACCAR, Inc. (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Peterbilt 367, 389, 567, and 579 vehicles. The cross member mounted Hill Start Assist valve assembly may have insufficient clearance to the rear axle, causing damage to the rear brake hose and loss of the rear brake signal.
Safety consequence
If loss of the rear brake signal occurs, the vehicle could experience reduced rear braking capability or loss of brakes to the rear axle(s), increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will inspect for clearance and re-work the assembly to conform with an updated design, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 24, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 11, 2022. Owners may contact PACCAR's customer service at 1-940-591-4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's number for this recall is 21PBJ.
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.
Spring Brake Chamber Assembled Incorrectly
NHTSA #21V328000 · Service Brakes, Air — Disc — Chamber · NHTSA notice
Reported May 10, 2021 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 13 vehicles
Repair completion: 92.31% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 21PBE · Owners notified July 9, 2021
Defect description
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021 Peterbilt 348 and 579 vehicles. The spring brake chamber may have been assembled with incorrect springs that were out of specification, which may cause the pressure plate to shift.
Safety consequence
The pressure plate may tear the diaphragm, causing a loss of air pressure and increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will replace brake chambers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 9, 2021. Owners may contact PACCAR (Peterbilt) customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 21PBE.
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.
Flywheel Capscrews Not Tightened Properly
NHTSA #21V080000 · Engine · NHTSA notice
Reported February 17, 2021 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 132 vehicles
Repair completion: 100% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 21KWA / 21PBB · Owners notified March 29, 2021
Defect description
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Kenworth T680, T880, W990, T800, W900 and Peterbilt 579, 567, 389, 367 vehicles equipped with a Cummins X15 engine. The capscrews that attach the flywheel to the crankshaft may have been improperly torqued, allowing the flywheel to detach.
Safety consequence
A detached flywheel can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, driveline pieces may be ejected from the engine compartment, increasing the risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will properly torque the capscrews and the engine will also be inspected for damage and, if necessary, repaired, free of charge. The recall began on March 29, 2021. 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 21KWA and 21PBB.
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 2021 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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