Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2019 Peterbilt 520, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Service brakes1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 10 2019 520 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 0 people died inside them, and 1 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2019 Peterbilt 520 failed the safety check 0.68% of the time — 53% less often than the average 2019 passenger car (1.44%). Median odometer at inspection: 132,873 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
5 Transport Canada recalls for the 2019 Peterbilt 520.
| 2022725 16 Dec 2022 | Suspension Issue: On certain refuse trucks, the tracking rod brackets on the drive axles could break. If this happens, the tracking rod could detach and cause sudden los… |
| 2022210 25 Apr 2022 | Steering Issue: On certain trucks, the fasteners that attach the steer arm to the steering knuckle may fail. If this happens, the steer arm could separate from the ste… |
| 2021323 26 May 2021 | Fuel System Issue: On certain trucks, the fuel rail assembly could develop a leak. Note: This recall only affects trucks equipped with a Cummins L9 or ISX12 diesel engi… |
| 2021006 11 Jan 2021 | Steering Issue: On certain trucks equipped with a right-hand stand-up driving position, the steering column may not be properly supported and could come loose from the… |
| 2019199 24 Apr 2019 | Electrical Issue: On certain trucks with a single steering position (RH or LH drive), the power wire to the Power Distribution Center (PDC) can overheat and potentially … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2016-2020 Peterbilt 320 and 520 vehicles with dual foot valves and a liftable tag or tri-drive rear axles. The rear brake signal hose may be missing a quick release valve, possibly causing a delay in their brake release timing. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Disc Brakes."
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Peterbilt 520 vehicles built in Right-Hand Stand-Up configuration. The steering assist cylinder bracket may not have been properly mounted.
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 1990-2020 Peterbilt 320 and 520 vehicles built with specific amber rear turn signals. The turn signals may also light up with the stop/tail lights when the brakes are applied. 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."
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Peterbilt 520 vehicles. Due to undersized wires, the connector between the cab power harness and the power distribution center (PDC) harness may overheat and melt, possibly resulting in an engine shutdown.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Peterbilt told its dealers about the 2019 Peterbilt 520: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11010926 | 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. |
| 11009757 | 7/700 Service Agreement - Letter Only. |
| 11005516 | Fix As Fail The height control valve (HCV) rod on vehicles with low air leaf suspensions is prone to toggling over center during rough road conditions. With full suspension articulation, HCV bracket flexes and toggles over center the HCV linkage, which results in either deflated airbags or makes them unable to inflate. Fix-as-fail start date is 07/30/2024. |
| 10240236 | Quality and Volume Validation vehicles built for the 520 VMUX program between July 2019 and December 2020 are eligible for a retrofit of the digital display to a production intent unit that features updated base software, secured hardware, and the ability to be updated with software released after February 2021. |
| 10232160 | Certain Engine Model Year 2018 PACCAR MX-11 engines must have the crankcase pressure sensor replaced due to contamination during assembly. |
| 10225578 | Info Only - PACCAR is introducing Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates for engine MY17 and newer chassis equipped with Cummins X15, X12, ISX12, ISX12N, L9N, PX-7, and PX-9 engines The technology will leverage the existing Remote Diagnostic cs hardware to deliver secure software updates remotely. This will reduce downtime and save on maintenance costs for eligible vehicles. |
| 10219235 | The service information for Bendix Air Dryer maintenance is being updated to include new procedures. |
| 10217134 | Info Only Certain 520 model chassis built between 2014 and 2021, and equipped with the Red Dot HVAC system, may have service port spacing which will not allow the connection of a pressure gauge to both the high and low side service ports simultaneously. A specific tool is available from the supplier that will allow a technician to bypass this design issue. |
| 10208758 | Due to major data carriers phasing out 3G networks, chassis currently utilizing first generation Peoplenet Mobile Gateway (PMG001) will experience severe 3G service degradation as early as January of 2022. Chassis currently utilizing 3G antennas as a primary antenna may experience this degradation. |
| 10201965 | Fix-As-Fail Due to undersupply issues, only a limited supply of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) sensors are available. As a temporary solution, after PACCAR confirms a DEF sensor is not available, a temporary software update will allow a vehicle to continue operation with a failed DEF sensor by disabling the DEF sensor diagnostics. |
| 10201947 | Safety Recall Certain Model 520 trucks may have been built without a quick release (QR) valve. The absence of this valve could affect rear brake timing on certain vehicles equipped with a tri-drive or liftable tag axle and Dual Seated or Right Hand Stand-Up steering configurations. Vehicles will be inspected and, if necessary, a QR valve will be installed. |
| 10198816 | Fix-As-Fail PX9 oil pan may leak due to improper hardware. Revised hardware will resolve the leak. |
| 10198809 | Safety Recall Cummins Fuel Rail Leak NHTSA ID: 21V391 / TC: 2021-323, Cummins Recall: C2423.Cummins PX9 and ISX12 fuel rails may leak around a sealing washer, potentially resulting in fuel leaks.Undetected prolonged diesel fuel spray in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire. |
| 10191380 | The current chassis harness connector contains a wire that is no longer necessary with the latest electrical architecture. The presence of the wire could result in a false fault code. |
| 10188550 | Information Only Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate. Washer pumps may fail to spray due to a clogged filter. |
| 10185194 | Safety Recall: Interim Dealer Notification - Peterbilt has decided that a condition affecting vehicle stability may exist in certain Model 520 vehicles built from 9/26/2019 through 7/22/2020 with stability control and a spring brake modulator valve (SBM) or lift axle. The Stability Control Relay may have been plumbed incorrectly, which could cause a stability event that may actuate the lift axle brakes or modulate the park brake chambers, which could destabilize the vehicle. This bulletin will be updated as soon as an affected chassis list is defined and a repair procedure is developed. |
| 10182219 | Fix as Fail: Peterbilt has introduced an improved mounting bracket for low mount air tanks for vehicles built between January 01, 2017 and July 06, 2020. Torsional vibration may stress the currently-installed brackets and cause them to fail near the bottom of the frame rail. |
| 10180809 | Safety Recall: Peterbilt has decided that a condition could exist in certain model 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, and 567 vehicles built between 11/19/2019 and 4/09/2020. Vehicles equipped with Watson & Chalin SL2065 lift axles may have lower rear pivot bolts that are not long enough to sufficiently engage the locking feature of the corresponding nuts. In some cases, this condition may cause a loss of clamp load of the pivot joint (arm to axle). Extended use of the lift axle in this condition can result in foreign object debris on the roadway, increasing the risk of a crash and/or injury. |
| 10177935 | Fix-As-Fail - Bendix New-Gen Lightweight Steer Axle Drum Brake Spider Cracking |
| 10177021 | Information Only: This bulletin provides dealers with a battery warranty quick reference guide to ensure the appropriate tests for battery warranty are performed in order to prevent battery warranty claims filed with incorrect or incomplete information. |
| 10177019 | Fix as Fail: For all conventional models, except 387/587, equipped with Side-of-Cab (SOC) exhaust and built from 03/6/2006 to 1/20/2020, the clamps that secure the SOC exhaust stacks may not be tightened properly. This may allow the exhaust stack to rotate and contact the cab or sleeper. |
| 10177016 | Non-Safety Campaign: Peterbilt has determined that certain RHSU model 520 trucks, built from 7/16/2018 to 3/20/2020, may have been equipped with a Main Cab Harness that enables the Door Alarm to sound when it should be disabled. Model 520 vehicles with this configuration should have the door alarm disabled when the passenger door is open and the vehicle is in drive mode. |
| 10176033 | Information only: Hendrickson Softek front axle maintenance intervals and requirements. |
| 10173583 | DEF tank covers may become loose and potentially crack on vehicles built before October 2019 with DEF tank part number M86-6221-003**(TANK-DEF MEDIUM ASSY) and M86-6222-003**(TANK-DEF LARGE, ASSY). Resolution is to resolve the vibration on the tank cover by adding bottom tank washers. |
| 10173210 | Safety Recall: Peterbilt has decided that certain Model 320 and 520 trucks built between 2/20/2015 and 7/16/2019 may have been built without a quick release valve. The absence of this valve could affect rear brake timing on certain vehicles equipped with a tri-drive or liftable tag axle and Dual Seated or Right Hand Stand-Up steering configurations. Resolutoin is to inspect for a quick release valve installed, and if there is not one, to install a quick release valve. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Quarter Fender Failures
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation