Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Peterbilt 579, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train2
- Electrical system2
- Engine1
- Forward collision avoidance1
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Service brakes1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 87 2020 579 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 13 people died inside them, and 9 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 2020 Peterbilt 579 failed the safety check 0.72% of the time — 39% less often than the average 2020 passenger car (1.18%). Median odometer at inspection: 314,654 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
5 Transport Canada recalls for the 2020 Peterbilt 579.
| 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… |
| 2021287 14 May 2021 | Lights And Instruments Issue: On certain trucks, the driver may be able to turn off the daytime running lamps (DRLs) while driving. Canadian regulations require that DRLs must stay … |
| 2020090 5 Mar 2020 | Electrical Issue: On certain trucks, the battery cables to the jump-start terminal may be too long. As a result, the cables could contact and chafe against the left-fron… |
| 2019518 15 Oct 2019 | Other Issue: On certain trucks, the reflective conspicuity tape on the back wall of the sleeper box was installed in incorrect locations. Canadian regulations requi… |
| 2019207 26 Apr 2019 | Visual System Issue: On certain trucks, the upper glass on the side mirrors may not be properly attached. This could cause the mirror glass to fall off or to hang from its w… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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 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.
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.
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Peterbilt 365, 389, 567, and 579 vehicles equipped with a left-hand under hood jumper terminal (option code 2539410). The positive battery jumper terminal cable may be too long, allowing it to chafe against the left front suspension spring and result in an electrical short circuit.
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020 Peterbilt 579 vehicles equipped with a sleeper box. The conspicuity tape may have been installed in the incorrect location, affecting the vehicle's visibility to other drivers on the road. 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 2020 Peterbilt 520 and 579 vehicles and Kenworth T680, T880 and W990 vehicles. The mirror glass may detach from the mirror carrier plate due to inadequate adhesion.
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 2020 Peterbilt 579: 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. |
| 11008569 | Information Only New diagnostic tool is required to support PACCAR Ethernet Multiplexed Architecture (EMUX). The EMUX Service Tool Kit will help improve cab & chassis electrical troubleshooting efficiency, while reducing the risk of component damage. |
| 11008566 | Information Only Storage guideline procedures are now available for both Medium Duty and Heavy-Duty Battery Electric Vehicles. |
| 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. |
| 11000753 | Information Only Vehicles equipped with Digital Vision System (DVS) Mirror Mounted Cameras, that do not have optional left-hand or right-hand blind spotters, may set false Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) 522490-9 or 522491-9. These DTCs can be ignored if corresponding blind spotter is not equipped. The next Digital Vision System Mirrors (DVS-M) software update will correct these false DTCs. |
| 10245639 | Fix As Fail Updated: Two part numbers added: 1818119 DPF Delta Pressure Sensors for MX-13-2 EMY18 2200138 DPF Delta Pressure Sensors for MX-13 -2, EMY19 Per Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) regulations and guidance (Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA)), a letter has been provided to owners of Canadian registered chassis that provides a list of emissions components that have been reported (to ECCC) as having a defect. |
| 10244481 | A testing procedure has been created for the coolant level sensor on model 520. |
| 10243360 | Certain 579 MLU chassis equipped with Cummins X15 engines have fan hub bracket hardware that are incorrect for the application and/or under torqued and could become loose and/or fail. Procedures are available to replace and properly torque the hardware. |
| 10243354 | For all Peterbilt chassis equipped with an air shifted PTO. Oil from the air shift cover of the PTO may leak into the air line, causing the EOA solenoid to become inoperative. |
| 10238387 | Fix-as-Fail - HVAC Intermittently Stops Blowing Cold Air |
| 10237152 | Certain 579 chassis are eligible to receive production level Digital Display software, Digital Display, Lane Keep Assist MUX switches, and Kick Panel. |
| 10235714 | Fix As Fail Certain 579, and New Model 579 chassis that were manufactured with a Bendix forward looking camera system may experience bracket failure causing the bracket and camera to fall from the windshield. |
| 10235704 | Fix As Fail All New Model 579 chassis with Bendix radar opti on may have a harness rub against the radiator that is causing possible damage. |
| 10232162 | Fix As Fail Chassis that were manufactured with certain battery cable routing brackets may experience rubbing or chafing of the battery cables. |
| 10231101 | This campaign is the final opportunity to replace the oil filter screw cap to reduce occurrences of broken bypass valve tabs. Broken oil valve tabs can cause oil flow obstruction to critical engine parts, resulting in serious engine damage. Customers that do not receive this repair may be responsible for progressive engine damage caused by broken oil bypass valve tabs. |
| 10227172 | 21PBN LNG/CNG Methane Detecti on System Will Not Warn Operator if System Loses Power NHTSA ID:21V00N, TC: 2021-793 |
| 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. |
| 10222269 | Fix-As-Fail On certain chassis with Low Air Leaf Suspension or Low-Low Air Leaf Suspension, the Height Control Valve (HCV) arm may be rubbing on other components when the bend in the arm is facing outboard. Flipping the bend in the HCV arm inboard prevents the rub. |
| 10219235 | The service information for Bendix Air Dryer maintenance is being updated to include new procedures. |
| 10219233 | Fix-As-Fail: Forces being applied to the split fender and fairing structure are causing the connection to crack and potentially separate. Reinforcement brackets secure the connection and prevent separation. |
| 10210949 | A roof fairing reinforcement kit increases structural support for one-piece 579 roof fairings that are experiencing fatigue from external forces such as reverse towing. |
| 10209699 | Fix-As-Fail A hill start assist (HSA) valve plumbing revision eliminates ice buildup in the HSA valve exhaust in cold weather. |
| 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. |
| 10208756 | A frame mounted left-hand marker light bracket interferes with the rear fuel tank fill location. A redesigned bracket can be purchased that relocates the marker bracket to the front fuel tank bracket to eliminate interference. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)