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MODEL-YEAR RECALL REPORT

2021 Kenworth T280 recalls

NHTSA's September 21, 2026 snapshot lists 6 safety recall campaigns for the 2021 Kenworth T280, spanning 4 component groups. A model match does not confirm that a specific VIN is included.

Official source: NHTSA recall campaign file · Snapshot September 21, 2026

Distinct campaigns6not VIN-specific
Component groups4distinct top-level categories
Latest recordMarch 20, 2024report received
VIN resultNot checkeduse official lookup

01 / OFFICIAL CAMPAIGNS

2021 Kenworth T280 recall campaigns

The 2021 Kenworth T280 report contains 6 distinct NHTSA campaigns; the most recently received record is campaign 24V190000 dated March 20, 2024.
Component
POWER TRAIN
Report received
March 20, 2024
Potential units
70,509campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

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.

Owner notification: December 15, 2025 · Filing manufacturer: PACCAR Incorporated

Component
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
Report received
September 29, 2023
Potential units
254campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Kenworth T280, T380, 2020-2024 Peterbilt 548, 536, 2024 Peterbilt 537, and 2020-2024 Kenworth T480 trucks. The timing of the trailer brake release may be delayed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems.".

Why it matters: A delay in the trailer brake release can create instability to the trailer and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the fittings and hoses in the affected valves, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 15, 2024. 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 23KWJ and 23PBJ.

Owner notification: January 15, 2024 · Filing manufacturer: PACCAR Incorporated

Component
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
Report received
February 15, 2023
Potential units
8,008campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Kenworth T280, T380, T480, Peterbilt 536, 537, and 548 vehicles. When the brake pedal is fully applied and then released rapidly, the pedal plunger that connects the brake pedal to the brake valve may become disconnected, causing the service brakes to fail.

Why it matters: Service brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will add a pedal restraint bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2023. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-588 and Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 23KWB and 23PBB.

Owner notification: April 6, 2023 · Filing manufacturer: PACCAR Incorporated

Component
POWER TRAIN
Report received
June 15, 2022
Potential units
402campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: PACCAR, Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2022 Kenworth T180, 2021-2023 Kenworth T280, 2022-2023 Kenworth T380, 2022-2023 Peterbilt 536, and 537 vehicles. Internal components of the transmission actuator may slip, causing the actuator to become miscalibrated.

Why it matters: A miscalibrated actuator may cause the transmission to shift into an unexpected gear, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the transmission actuator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 8, 2022. Owners may contact PACCAR's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 (Kenworth); 1-940-591-4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's number for this recall is 22KWD and 22PBD.

Owner notification: December 8, 2022 · Filing manufacturer: PACCAR Incorporated

Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Report received
December 29, 2021
Potential units
1,107campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: The operator may be unaware of a system malfunction or the presence of excessive methane levels, increasing the risk of injury or fire.

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.

Owner notification: December 1, 2022 · Filing manufacturer: PACCAR Incorporated

Component
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
Report received
August 3, 2021
Potential units
688campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Peterbilt 536, 537, 548 and Kenworth T270, T280, T370, T380, T440, T470, and T480 vehicles equipped with Cummins L9 diesel engines. A fuel leak may occur from the fuel hose between the fuel pump and the remote fuel filter head.

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

Remedy

Cummins will replace the fuel hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed in October 2021. Owners may contact PACCAR's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 (Kenworth) and 1-940-591-4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 21PBG and 21KWF.

Owner notification: July 30, 2021 · Filing manufacturer: PACCAR Incorporated

02 / COMPONENT BREADTH

What defects are listed for the 2021 Kenworth T280?

The most frequent component groups in 2021 Kenworth T280 campaign records are Power Train (2), Service Brakes, Air (2), Electrical System (1), Fuel System, Diesel (1); these counts describe filed campaigns rather than observed failure rates.
Power Train2
Service Brakes, Air2
Electrical System1
Fuel System, Diesel1

03 / MODEL-YEAR CONTEXT

How the 2021 Kenworth T280 compares across model years

RecallRoad publishes 5 model-year reports for the Kenworth T280, spanning 2021–2025; each year keeps its NHTSA campaign count separate.
Open the complete Kenworth T280 model history →