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RECALLROADTHE CAMPAIGN RECORD

MODEL-YEAR RECALL REPORT

2021 Peterbilt 520 recalls

NHTSA's September 21, 2026 snapshot lists 6 safety recall campaigns for the 2021 Peterbilt 520, spanning 6 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 groups6distinct top-level categories
Latest recordDecember 16, 2022report received
VIN resultNot checkeduse official lookup

01 / OFFICIAL CAMPAIGNS

2021 Peterbilt 520 recall campaigns

The 2021 Peterbilt 520 report contains 6 distinct NHTSA campaigns; the most recently received record is campaign 22V939000 dated December 16, 2022.
Component
SUSPENSION
Report received
December 16, 2022
Potential units
15,658campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

Owner notification: February 22, 2023 · Filing manufacturer: PACCAR Incorporated

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 21V720000

Component
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
Report received
September 16, 2021
Potential units
15campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.".

Why it matters: 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.

Owner notification: October 7, 2021 · Filing manufacturer: PACCAR Incorporated

Component
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
Report received
May 26, 2021
Potential units
612campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

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

Component
STEERING
Report received
January 11, 2021
Potential units
1,021campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

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

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 20V739000

Component
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Report received
November 25, 2020
Potential units
11campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

Owner notification: January 25, 2021 · Filing manufacturer: PACCAR Incorporated

Component
POWER TRAIN
Report received
August 26, 2020
Potential units
1,097campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

Owner notification: September 29, 2020 · Filing manufacturer: PACCAR Incorporated

02 / COMPONENT BREADTH

What defects are listed for the 2021 Peterbilt 520?

The most frequent component groups in 2021 Peterbilt 520 campaign records are Power Train (1), Electronic Stability Control (Esc) (1), Steering (1), Fuel System, Diesel (1), Service Brakes, Air (1); these counts describe filed campaigns rather than observed failure rates.
Power Train1
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1
Steering1
Fuel System, Diesel1
Service Brakes, Air1