2021 Peterbilt 520

Routine

No owner complaints are on file for this vehicle. It has been recalled 6 times.

6 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Suspension › Multiple Axle22V939000
Filed Dec 16, 202215,658 vehiclesPaccar Incorporated

Defect. PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2015-2023 Peterbilt 320 and 520 refuse trucks equipped with Haulmaax/EX suspensions. The suspension tracking rod brackets may fail and detach from the forward drive axle, causing the axle to become unstable.

Risk. An unstable axle can decrease vehicle stability and control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will inspect the welds and add an additional bracket between the tracking rod bracket and axle housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 14, 2023. Owners may contact Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 22PBL.

Service Brakes, Air21V720000
Filed Sep 16, 202115 vehiclesPaccar Incorporated

Defect. PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Peterbilt 520 vehicles. The quick release valve on the rear brake signal hose may be missing. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Risk. A missing quick release valve cannot ensure correct rear brake release timing, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy. Dealers will inspect the vehicles for a missing quick release valve, and install one if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 7, 2021. Owners may contact PACCAR's customer service at 1-940-591-4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's number for this recall is 21PBK.

Fuel System, Diesel › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail21V391000
Filed May 26, 2021612 vehiclesPaccar Incorporated

Defect. PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Peterbilt 337, 348, 365, 367, 520, 567, Kenworth T270, T370, T440, T470, T800 and T880 vehicles. The sealing washer may not seat correctly in the pilot bore holes, allowing the high pressure fuel rail assembly to leak.

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy. Dealers will inspect the rail threads and fuel lines, and replace the rail as necessary, free of charge. 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 21KWC and 21PBD.

Steering › Column21V004000
Filed Jan 11, 20211,021 vehiclesPaccar Incorporated

Defect. PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2015-2021 Peterbilt 320 and 520 vehicles. The steering column support structure may crack or break in certain right-hand, stand-up drive models.

Risk. If the steering column loosens from the mounting structure, steering control can become affected, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the 520 models right hand stand-pp steering column structure and replace it if cracks are present, as well as add additional support brackets to the new (if replaced) or existing structure, free of charge. Additionally, for the 520 models, dealers will install a large gusset with triangulating support for the column bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 30, 2021. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 21PBA.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)20V739000
Filed Nov 25, 202011 vehiclesPaccar Incorporated

Defect. PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Peterbilt 520 vehicles. The stability control brake relay may have the Spring Brake Modulating (SBM) Valve or the lift axle hose incorrectly connected.

Risk. A stability control event meant to only actuate the ABS controlled wheel ends could actuate lift axle brakes or modulate park brake chambers and could possibly de-stabilize the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the suspect chassis and correct the brake relay plumbing if needed, free of charge. PACCAR has issued owners an interim notification on January 4, 2020. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 25, 2021. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 20PBF.

Power Train › Axle Assembly20V506000
Filed Aug 26, 20201,097 vehiclesPaccar Incorporated

Defect. PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Peterbilt 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, 567 and Kenworth T800, T880, W900, W990 vehicles equipped with Watson and Chalin steerable lift axle suspension systems (model SL2065). The axles may have lower rear pivot bolts that are not long enough to sufficiently engage the locking feature of the corresponding nuts.

Risk. The short screws can cause the hardware to separate from the suspension system and become road hazards, increasing the risk of a crash and/or injury.

Remedy. PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect suspect chassis and replace the pivot bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2020. 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 is 20PBE and 20KWC.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2020
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20260200Routine
20250700Do not drive
20240800Routine
20230500Routine
20220400Routine
2021 — this page0600Routine
202031200Routine
20191800Routine
20180800Routine
20170500Routine
20160400Routine
20150300Routine
20140100Routine
20130100Routine
20120100Routine
20110100Routine
20100100Routine
20090100Routine
20080100Routine
20070100Routine
20060100Routine
20050100Routine
20040100Routine
20030100Routine
20020100Routine
20010100Routine
20000100Routine
19990100Routine
19980100Routine
19970100Routine
19960100Routine
19950100Routine
19940100Routine
19930100Routine
19920100Routine
19910100Routine
19900100Routine

Compare every 520 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 16, 2022. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.