RoadVitals

2020 Peterbilt 579

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

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.
5
Latest Oct 13, 2026
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.
6
Latest Apr 25, 2022
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.
0
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Peterbilt 579, most frequently naming the driver assistance, electrical and powertrain (other) categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 108 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance225.0%
  • Electrical225.0%
  • Powertrain (other)225.0%
  • Brakes112.5%
  • Engine112.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

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
22V277000

STEERING:CRITICAL FASTENERS

Apr 25, 2022
17,641 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: Fastener failure can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy: 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.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 22 PBB and 22 KWBView on NHTSA.gov
21V00N000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Dec 29, 2021
1,107 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Peterbilt 567, 579, 2021-2022 Peterbilt 536, 2017-2021 Kenworth T880, 2016-2022 Kenworth T680, 2018-2020 Kenworth T440, 2020 Kenworth T270, and 2021 Kenworth T280 vehicles. The methane detection system will not function if the system loses power.
The risk: The operator may be unaware of a system malfunction or the presence of excessive methane levels, increasing the risk of injury or fire.
The remedy: Dealers will re-wire the warning alarm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 1, 2022. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220, and Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 21KWH and 21PBN.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 21KWH and 21PBNView on NHTSA.gov
21V906000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

Nov 19, 2021
908 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy: 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.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 21KWG and 21PBMView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed 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 the Cap. The dealer told me to contact PACCAR legal department and I have called, sent numerous emails to PACCAR and have not received a response back. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11770969
Incident
Aug 24, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed 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.

NHTSA ID
11730456
Incident
Mar 13, 2026
Electrical
Filed 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.

NHTSA ID
11688101
Incident
Sep 17, 2024
Mileage
349,571 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed 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.

NHTSA ID
11560967
Incident
Dec 18, 2023
Driver assistance
Filed 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.

NHTSA ID
11360473
Incident
Sep 17, 2020
Mileage
180,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

98-035

The new 2.1m day cab lift tools, a Level 3 mandatory tool, are now available to order.

E329

ENGINE

Certain chassis equipped with an engine model year 2019 - 2021 PACCAR MX-13 engine are eligible to receive software improvements to increase vehicle uptime and emissions fault detection. This software update is expected to be available after 10/30/2026.

43-086

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE

This optional software update is expected to be available after 10/30/2026 for chassis equipped with EMY 2019-2021A PACCAR MX-11 engines. 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.

42-070

Due to supplier constraints, an authorized aftermarket surge tank has been made available.

P001

ENGINE

"Kenworth: Dealers should check the chassis list and SIR weekly for VIN changes. 2 chassis added to the chassis list. Peterbilt: Dealers should check the chassis list and SIR weekly for VIN changes. 10 chassis added to the chassis list."

E343

ENGINE

An exhaust manifold slip joint seal kit is now available for EPA 2017-2024 PACCAR MX-13 engines.

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 579 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027040—
2026120—
2025070—
2024370—
20234110—
20227150—
2021190—
2020Viewing560—
2019382—
20187142—
20173133—
20163111—
2015491—
20142121—
20131131—
2012061—
2011040—
2010030—
2009020—
2008020—
2007010—
2006010—

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.