RoadVitals

2021 Peterbilt 220

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
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Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Mar 24, 2025
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Peterbilt 220. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 20 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
25V182000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM

Mar 24, 2025
211 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Peterbilt 220, 2022-2026 Kenworth K370, and 2020-2026 K270 Medium-Duty Battery Electric Vehicles. The cradle harness may have a loose electrical connection that can cause a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the cradle harness as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 8, 2025. Owners may contact Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220 and Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 25KWD and 25PBD.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 25KWD & 25PBDView on NHTSA.gov
22V630000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

Aug 17, 2022
4 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2022 Kenworth K270 and 2021 Peterbilt 220 vehicles. Software programing may prevent the electric power train control unit from processing stability control commands while in regenerative braking mode.
The risk: Failure to process stability control commands may increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will update the electric power train control unit with a software, free of charge. All vehicles were remedied in October. 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 22KWH and 22PBH.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 22KWH, 22PBHView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

98-030

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

5/29/2025: A new Ethernet Multiplexed Architecture (EMUX) Service Tool Kit service manual (SM034-022) has been released to provide general use information. The new EMUX Service Tool Kit improves cab & chassis electrical troubleshooting efficiency, while reducing risk of component damage. 4/29/2025: The Ethernet Multiplexed Architecture (EMUX) Service Tool Kit and individual kit components are now available to order. Dealers that have received their first kit may order an additional kit. The EMUX Service Tool Kit Part number has been updated to match OEM drawings (P74-1045-001). Individual kit component part numbers can be found in the Reference Bill of Materials sheet. The new EMUX Service Tool Kit improves cab & chassis electrical troubleshooting efficiency, while reducing risk of component damage. Information Only New diagnostic tool is required to support PACCAR Ethernet Multiplexed Architecture (EMUX). The EMUX Service Tool Kit will help improve cab & chassis electrical troubleshooting efficiency, while reducing the risk of component damage.

32-025

ENGINE

Info Only Unnecessary starter replacements can result from customer complaints regarding engine starting issues. A new Starter Troubleshooting Guide has been created to provide a comprehensive list of starting system checks, which should reduce unnecessary starter replacements and associated warranty claims. Engine starting system warranty claims now require a completed Starter Checklist, a Battery Pack Midtronics Report, and a Cable Drop Midtronics Report. Claims filed without these documents may be denied.

46-014

Information Only Storage guideline procedures are now available for both Medium Duty and Heavy-Duty Battery Electric Vehicles.

98-030

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Information Only New diagnostic tool is required to support PACCAR Ethernet Multiplexed Architecture (EMUX). The EMUX Service Tool Kit will help improve cab & chassis electrical troubleshooting efficiency, while reducing the risk of component damage.

46-001 HVAC Update

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BEV Phase 2 tools have been added to the BEV required tools lists.

32-022

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

220EV Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) rely on 12V batteries that act as a buffer when the converter cannot meet peak 12V demand, causing additional stress to the batteries. This can lead to depleted 12V batteries.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Peterbilt 220 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026010—
2025020—
2024010—
2023030—
2022010—
2021Viewing020—
2020010—
2018021—
2017011—
2016030—
2015060—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.