2020 Peterbilt 579 recalls and problems

The 2020 Peterbilt 579 has 5 safety recalls and 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Peterbilt dealer.

Recalls
5
Complaints
5
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2020 Peterbilt 579 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2020 Peterbilt 579 recalls

Recall 22V-277: Steering

Reported Apr 25, 2022 · 17,641 vehicles affected · PACCAR Incorporated

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 21V-906: Electrical System, Service Brakes, Air

Reported Nov 19, 2021 · 908 vehicles affected · PACCAR Incorporated

Problem: 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.

Risk: Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: 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.

Recall 20V-130: Electrical System

Reported Mar 4, 2020 · 35,671 vehicles affected · PACCAR Incorporated

Problem: 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.

Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.

Recall 19V-733: Visibility

Reported Oct 15, 2019 · 248 vehicles affected · PACCAR Incorporated

Problem: 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."

Risk: Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 19V-340: Visibility

Reported May 1, 2019 · 3,907 vehicles affected · PACCAR Incorporated

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

2020 Peterbilt 579 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Electrical System2
Power Train2
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)1
Service Brakes1
Forward Collision Avoidance1
Engine1

Most reported parts

  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 1
  • Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 349,571 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2020 Peterbilt 579 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Power Train · reported Oct 13, 2026
My 2020 [XXX] [XXX] VIN:[XXX] was brought to Rihm Kenworth in [XXX] on XXX while actively under warranty." The dealership confirmed a PACCAR MX-13 camshaft failure, which is a known manufacturer defect tied to PACCAR Campaigns E252 and E266. Camshafts Are Explicitly Covered 100% The text of PACCAR's official 700k warranty bulletin explicitly states what is covered under this specific campaign: The dealer manager claims PACCAR corporate has placed an arbitrary $4,000 cap on a $14,105. warranty repair but completely refuses to provide any written documentation or contractual justification for…
Power Train · reported Apr 10, 2026
Camshaft failure as described in previous service bulletins for same year, make, model truck and Paccar MX-17 engine. Available for inspection as truck is not operational. Vehicle has been inspected by mechanic and no warning, messages, or other symptoms prior to the failure being noticed and inspected to locate issue.
Electrical System · at 349,571 miles · reported Sep 18, 2025
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2020 Peterbilt 579. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 217,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 349,571.
Service Brakes · reported Dec 19, 2023
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.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) · at 180,000 miles · reported Sep 22, 2020
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.

Other Peterbilt 579 years

Compare all Peterbilt 579 years · All Peterbilt models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2020 Peterbilt 579 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2020 Peterbilt 579: 22V-277 (steering), 21V-906 (electrical system, service brakes, air), 20V-130 (electrical system), 19V-733 (visibility), 19V-340 (visibility). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2020 Peterbilt 579?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (2 reports), followed by power train (2). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 349,571 miles.

Are Peterbilt recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Peterbilt dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.