RoadVitals

2020 Peterbilt 548

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.
1
Latest Sep 29, 2023
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 2020 Peterbilt 548. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 17 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

1 campaign 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
23V661000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

Sep 29, 2023
254 units potentially affected
The 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."
The risk: A delay in the trailer brake release can create instability to the trailer and increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 23KWJ, 23PBJView 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.

02-177

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Troubleshooting procedures for 2.1m cab power windows are now available.

14-034

Bogie Crossmember Torque Value Update - Procedure has been updated to correct torque values.

45-069

ENGINE

Cummins TSB 210203 has been updated to remove the PACCAR suction side fuel filter part number from Table 1 as the filter is no longer compatible.

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.

41-027

ENGINE

On certain Peterbilt, New Medium Duty chassis that are equipped with the optional engine intake air Pre-Filter (option code 3281830) the Pre-Filter may become clogged and cause premature failure/breach of the primary intake air filter. In some cases, a failed/breached primary filter can result in unusually high engine RPMs and high crankcase pressure. However, a failed/breached primary filter may not exhibit any of these symptoms. The immediate fix for this issue is to modify the Pre-Filter by removing the filter media from the base plate, and then reinstalling the modified Pre-Filter base plate.

23PBJ

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

Certain 536, 537, 548, and 567 chassis built with 2.1m Medium Duty End of Frame Trailer Connections and Tractor Protection Valves may not meet the standard trailer brake release timing requirements by 0.5 seconds. A delay in the trailer brake release may create momentary instability to the trailer and increase the risk of a crash.

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 548 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027010—
2026030—
2025170—
20241130—
20230110—
2022070—
2021050—
2020Viewing010—

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.