RoadVitals

2026 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.
1
Latest Aug 22, 2025
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 Jul 8, 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.
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
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2026 Peterbilt 579, most frequently naming the brakes category. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 32 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

  • Brakes1100.0%

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

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
26V442000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:QUICK RELEASE VALVE

Jul 8, 2026
8 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2026-2027 Peterbilt 579 and 2027 Kenworth T680 tractors. The trailer air connection quick release (QR) valve in the air brake system may have been incorrectly installed, which can cause the trailer to become unstable after the driver applies the brakes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
The risk: An incorrectly installed quick release valve that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Paccar inspected and reinstalled the valves, as necessary, free of charge. All affected tractors have been repaired and therefore no owner notification letters are necessary. 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 26PACC.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 26PACCView 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

Brakes
Filed Aug 22, 2025
1 injury reported

The contact was the operator of a 2026 Peterbilt 579 for an employer. The contact stated that whether driving 30 MPH or 65 MPH, after another vehicle entered the lane in front of the vehicle, the Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB and Lane Keep Assist systems erroneously activated and brought the vehicle to an unsafe and abrupt stop. The contact stated that the RADAR system had experienced a False Positive alert of a possible crash, even though the vehicle was at a safe driving distance ahead. The contact stated that the failure caused other driver’s behind the vehicle to run off the road or skid to a stop to avoid crashing into the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure also occurred with another vehicle approximately 100-feet ahead coming over into the lane, and the AEB activated, causing the wheels to lock up, bringing the vehicle to an abrupt stop. The contact stated that other drivers angrily honked at him. On one occasion, the contact was followed by an irate driver for ten minutes after the failure had occurred. The contact was concerned for his safety and the safety of the public because the system could not be overridden. The contact stated that on one occasion while his brother was driving the vehicle at a moderate speed, while the contact was asleep in the sleeping netting which the contact believes was not DOT approved, the AEB system activated and sent the contact’s body forward, causing his rib cage to strike a cabinet inside the sleeper berth, causing an injury. The contact had not sought medical attention. The contact stated that the employer was notified of the failures with the vehicle, and the contact was informed to keep driving the vehicle as-is or seek other employment. The contact stated that the RADAR system also experienced False Positive alerts and inadvertent AEB activation while driving and approaching bridges or structures that cast shadows onto the roadway bringing the vehicle to an abrupt stop. The contact stated that prior to the abrupt stop, there was a picture of

NHTSA ID
11682362
Incident
Jul 1, 2025
Mileage
200 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

43-089

ENGINE

This optional software update is expected to be available on 08/07/26 for chassis equipped with EPA 2024 EMY 2024-2026 PACCAR MX-11 and MX-13 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.

43-089

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE

An optional software update is expected to be available on or after 07/31/26 for chassis equipped with EPA 2024 engine model year (EMY) 2024-2026 PACCAR MX-11 and MX-13 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.

41-029

ENGINE

Incorrect air filters may be inadvertently installed in certain chassis equipped with under-hood Donaldson air filter housings.

99-052

There is an update to the Base Emissions Warranty Limits table [PR1.1]and general certification information in certain Engine Model Year (EMY) 2026 MX-11 and MX-13 Operator’s Manuals.

P001

ENGINE

Leveraging PACCAR’s advanced Prognostic prediction algorithms, certain PACCAR MX-11 and MX-13 EMY 2024-2026 engines will receive proactive replacement instructions for the PM sensor to maximize uptime and maintain optimal performance.

P003

ENGINE

Leveraging PACCAR’s advanced Prognostic prediction algorithms, certain PACCAR MX-11 and MX-13 EMY 2024-2026 engines will receive proactive replacement instructions for the NOx sensor after catalyst to maximize uptime and maintain optimal performance.

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
2027020—
2026Viewing120—
2025070—
2024370—
20233110—
20226150—
2021190—
2020460—
2019282—
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.