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RECALLS — MAKE · MODEL · YEAR

2020 Peterbilt 520 recalls

18 safety recall campaigns have been filed for the 2020 Peterbilt 520 with Transport Canada and the U.S. NHTSA. Here is what both agencies say.

Canadian recalls
06
U.S. recalls
12
Total campaigns
18

Transport Canada recalls

06
  • Suspension#2022725

    375 units affected

    Issue: On certain refuse trucks, the tracking rod brackets on the drive axles could break. If this happens, the tracking rod could detach and cause sudden loss of vehicle stability. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of stability could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Paccar will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to a dealership to install reinforcements on the tracking rod brackets.

  • Steering#2022210

    985 units affected

    Issue: On certain trucks, the fasteners that attach the steer arm to the steering knuckle may fail. If this happens, the steer arm could separate from the steering knuckle and cause a loss of steering control. Note: This recall only affects trucks equipped with a Dana D-series steer axle. Safety Risk: A loss of steering control could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: PACCAR will notify owners by mail. The corrective actions for this recall are under development.

  • Fuel System#2021323

    19 units affected

    Issue: On certain trucks, the fuel rail assembly could develop a leak. Note: This recall only affects trucks equipped with a Cummins L9 or ISX12 diesel engine. Safety Risk: A fuel leak can create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Cummins will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to a Cummins authorized service center to inspect the fuel rail. If damage is found, the fuel rail and fuel lines will be replaced. If no damage is found, the fuel rail will be reassembled with new crush washers using a special tool.

  • Steering#2021006

    34 units affected

    Issue: On certain trucks equipped with a right-hand stand-up driving position, the steering column may not be properly supported and could come loose from the mounting structure. If this happens, the driver may have difficulty steering the truck. Safety Risk: A loose steering column could cause a loss of control and create the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to a Peterbilt dealer to inspect, and if necessary, replace the steering column structure. Additional support brackets will also be installed.

  • Suspension#2020399

    502 units affected

    Issue: On certain trucks, the lift axle pivot bolts may be too short and may not be properly tightened. As a result, the bolts could come loose or break. If this happens, parts could fall from the truck. Note: This recall only affects trucks built with Watson Chalin SL2065 lift axles. Safety Risk: Large fasteners that fall on the road could create a road hazard for others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: PACCAR will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to a dealer to inspect and replace the lift axle pivot bolts, as necessary.

  • Electrical#2019199

    215 units affected

    Issue: On certain trucks with a single steering position (RH or LH drive), the power wire to the Power Distribution Center (PDC) can overheat and potentially melt the cab power harness connector. This could cause a loss of power to the cab and engine, which may result in the engine shutting down. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their truck to a dealer to replace the 10-gauge main power wire to the PDC with a 4-gauge wire.

Canadian data updated August 24, 2026

U.S. NHTSA recalls

12
  • SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE#22V939000

    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.

    Risk: An unstable axle can decrease vehicle stability and control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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. Owners may contact Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 22PBL.

  • STEERING:CRITICAL FASTENERS#22V277000

    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.

    Risk: Fastener failure can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

    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.

  • SERVICE BRAKES, AIR#21V720000

    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."

    Risk: A missing quick release valve cannot ensure correct rear brake release timing, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

    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 at 1-940-591-4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's number for this recall is 21PBK.

  • FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL#21V391000

    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.

    Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

    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 numbers for this recall are 21KWC and 21PBD.

  • STEERING:COLUMN#21V004000

    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.

    Risk: If the steering column loosens from the mounting structure, steering control can become affected, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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) or existing structure, free of charge. Additionally, for the 520 models, dealers will install a large gusset with triangulating support for the column bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 30, 2021. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 21PBA.

  • ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)#20V739000

    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.

    Risk: A stability control event meant to only actuate the ABS controlled wheel ends could actuate lift axle brakes or modulate park brake chambers and could possibly de-stabilize the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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 notification letters were mailed on January 25, 2021. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 20PBF.

  • POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY#20V506000

    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 feature of the corresponding nuts.

    Risk: The short screws can cause the hardware to separate from the suspension system and become road hazards, increasing the risk of a crash and/or injury.

    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 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall is 20PBE and 20KWC.

  • STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM#20V429000

    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.

    Risk: Loose bolts may cause the bracket to flex or break, potentially damaging adjacent components or locking up the steering, increasing the risk of crash.

    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. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR's number for this recall is 20PBD.

  • SERVICE BRAKES, AIR#20V132000

    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 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Disc Brakes."

    Risk: A delayed brake release may increase the risk of crash.

    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 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 20PBB.

  • POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT#19V911000

    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.

    Risk: If the rear axle output shaft fractures, the shaft or interaxle driveline could detach and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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 Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 19KWE and 19PBG.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL#19V452000

    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) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    Risk: Rear Turn signals that illuminate at the same time as the brake lights may create confusion and impair the effectiveness of the brake lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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 may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 19PBC.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM#19V282000

    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.

    Risk: An unexpected engine shut down can increase the risk of a crash.

    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 1-918-259-3258. PACCAR's number for this recall is 19PBB.

Does this recall apply to my vehicle?

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What to do

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Check a 2020 Peterbilt 520 VIN

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Data sources and coverage limits