The defect
PACCAR is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Kenworth T680 and T880 trucks, manufactured from January 18, 2012, through February 1, 2013; and model year 2013-2014 Peterbilt 579 and 567 vehicles, manufactured from January 20, 2012, through January 31, 2013. The Exterior Lights Self-Test switch is intended to be used when the vehicle is parked. If the switch is pressed while the vehicle is in motion, the Exterior Lights Self-Test switch will cause all exterior lighting to be extinguished.
The risk
An unexpected loss of lighting during vehicle operation may reduce the driver's ability to see other vehicles, pedestrians, or objects, as well as reduce the truck's visibility to other drivers or pedestrians, increasing the risk of crash.
The remedy
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will disable the Exterior Lights Self-Test software parameter and remove the Exterior Lights Self-Test switch and install a switch plug in its place. The services will be offered free of charge. The recall began on February 28, 2013. Owners may contact Kenworth at 1-425-828-5000 or Peterbilt at 1-940-591-4000.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Kenworth T680 | 2013, 2014 |
| Kenworth T880 | 2013, 2014 |
| Peterbilt 567 | 2013, 2014 |
| Peterbilt 579 | 2013, 2014 |
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenworth T680 | 2013 | 0 | 13 |
| Kenworth T680 | 2014 | 10 | 13 |
| Kenworth T880 | 2013 | 0 | 7 |
| Kenworth T880 | 2014 | 1 | 12 |
| Peterbilt 567 | 2013 | 0 | 9 |
| Peterbilt 567 | 2014 | 0 | 10 |
| Peterbilt 579 | 2013 | 1 | 13 |
| Peterbilt 579 | 2014 | 2 | 12 |
Other exterior lighting recalls in 2013
23 of the 627 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2013 concerned the exterior lighting; PACCAR Incorporated filed 154 campaigns in all.
| 13V612000 5 Dec 2013 | PACCAR Incorporated |
| 13V569000 22 Nov 2013 | Volkswagen of America, Inc. |
| 13V518000 22 Oct 2013 | Pierce Manufacturing |
| 13V407000 11 Sept 2013 | BMW of North America, LLC |
| 13V398000 3 Sept 2013 | Oreion Motors LLC. |
| 13V335000 1 Aug 2013 | Ford Motor Company |
| 13V289000 2 Jul 2013 | Chrysler Group LLC |
| 13V278000 28 Jun 2013 | Prevost Cars, Inc. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2013