RoadVitals

2026 Peterbilt 520

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 Jan 19, 2026
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 2026 Peterbilt 520. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 28 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
26V022000

STEERING

Jan 19, 2026
219 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2026 Kenworth L770 and 2024-2026 Peterbilt 520 vehicles. The right-hand stand-up (RHSU) configuration on the steering cross-shaft may become stressed and fail.
The risk: A steering cross-shaft that fails can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the steering cross-shafts and replace any damaged or broken cross-shafts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 13, 2026. Owners may contact Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220 and Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR's number for this recall is 26PACA.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 26PACAView on NHTSA.gov
25V436000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

Jun 26, 2025
56,260 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Kenworth T480, T680, T880, W990, Peterbilt 520, 536, 537, 548, 567, 579, 589, 2025 Kenworth T180, Peterbilt 535, 2025-2026 Kenworth T280, T380 and L770 vehicles. The tail brake light, upper and lower beam headlights, reverse light, and turn signal may not illuminate as intended. In addition, the lift axles, if lowered, may revert to a raised position, or oscillate up and down when the signal warning lights are activated. 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."
The risk: Delayed and unsteady headlights can result in insufficient illumination of the road, decreasing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an unexpected position change of the lift axles may increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will update the VCU software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 19, 2025. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 25PACF.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 25PACFView 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.

P001

ENGINE

"KW: The chassis list has been updated to include 1 chassis. The total chassis count is now 53. A link to the PACCAR Powertrain Prognostics Webcast has been added in the Links section. PB: The chassis list has been updated to include 8 chassis. The total chassis count is now 130. A link to the PACCAR Powertrain Prognostics Webcast has been added in the Links section."

P001

ENGINE

"KW: The chassis list has been updated to include 1 chassis. The total chassis count is now 53. A link to the PACCAR Powertrain Prognostics Webcast has been added in the Links section. PB: The chassis list has been updated to include 8 chassis. The total chassis count is now 130. A link to the PACCAR Powertrain Prognostics Webcast has been added in the Links section."

43-089

ENGINE

This optional software update is expected to be available after 08/28/2026.

P001

ENGINE

"PB: The chassis list has been updated to include 11 chassis. The total chassis count is now 122. KW: The chassis list has been updated to include 3 chassis. The total chassis count is now 52."

43-089

ENGINE

This optional software update is expected to be available in late August 2026 for chassis equipped with EPA 2024 EMY 2024-2026 PACCAR MX-11 and MX-13 engines. This bulletin will be updated when the software is ready. This update provides customers with additional time to service their trucks before a DEF-related derate occurs. The software is being offered to customers in alignment with recently updated regulatory agency guidance. The procedure document has also been updated for clarity.

24KWC/24PBC

STEERING

Updated Sheppard Steering Gear Classification Tool link in Inspection Procedure

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 520 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026Viewing020—
2025070—
2024080—
2023050—
2022040—
2021060—
20203120—
2019181—
2018081—
2017051—
2016040—
2015030—
2014010—
2013010—
2012010—
2011010—
2010010—
2009010—
2008010—
2007010—
2006010—
2005010—
2004010—
2003010—
2002010—
2001010—
2000010—
1999010—
1998010—
1997010—
1996010—
1995010—
1994010—
1993010—
1992010—
1991010—
1990010—

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.