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2021 Peterbilt 579

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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Owner complaints by model year

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What owners reported most

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 0 of 1 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

1 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2023
Electrical System

I was driving on a freeway when suddenly my truck lost all power. I managed to coast to a safe spot to park. I immediately opened hood and started troubleshooting. Left key on so I'd know if power came back on. After about 10 minutes of moving wires gently I found the issue. A power wire plug connected to cab. I wig…

Read full complaint

I was driving on a freeway when suddenly my truck lost all power. I managed to coast to a safe spot to park. I immediately opened hood and started troubleshooting. Left key on so I'd know if power came back on. After about 10 minutes of moving wires gently I found the issue. A power wire plug connected to cab. I wiggled it and everything worked again. Messed up again and again, that day. Vehicle was still warrantied, but shops didn't have time to get it in. Finally I found a temporary solution. If I hold wire sideways after cutting zip ties it wouldn't mess up again. Shop said they must replace entire wire. Totally a safety issue. Could have resulted in bad situations if it happened at the wrong time.

NHTSA ODI #11501812

Official recalls

9

24V915000 · Electrical System:software; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Dec 9, 2024

PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Peterbilt and Kenworth vehicles, equipped with Bendix EC80 Advanced Electronic Control Units (ECU). Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. Electrical noise and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly process commands or stop functioning.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Safety systems that depend on the ECU (Automatic Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Active Cruise Control, and Collison Mitigation System) may not function properly or at all, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 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 numbers for this recall are 24KWL and 24PBL.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Peterbilt and Kenworth vehicles, equipped with Bendix EC80 Advanced Electronic Control Units (ECU). Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. Electrical noise and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly process commands or stop functioning.

Consequence: Safety systems that depend on the ECU (Automatic Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Active Cruise Control, and Collison Mitigation System) may not function properly or at all, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 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 numbers for this recall are 24KWL and 24PBL.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Peterbilt and Kenworth vehicles, equipped with Bendix EC80 Advanced Electronic Control Units (ECU). Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. Electrical noise and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly process commands or stop functioning.

Consequence: Safety systems that depend on the ECU (Automatic Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Active Cruise Control, and Collison Mitigation System) may not function properly or at all, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 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 numbers for this recall are 24KWL and 24PBL.

24V190000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift

Mar 20, 2024

PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Peterbilt 365, 367, 389, 535, 536, 537, 548, 567, 579, and 2021-2025 Kenworth T180, T280, T380, T480, T680, T880 and W990 trucks. The right-hand gear shifter stalk connectors may have been improperly crimped, resulting in a loss of communication.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loss of communication between the gear shifter and the transmission may result in the vehicle becoming disabled after coming to a stop, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the gear shifter assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 15, 2025, then phased after that. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24PBE and 24KWE.

23V653000 · Fuel System, Diesel:storage:tank Assembly

Sep 27, 2023

PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Peterbilt 579 and 567 trucks. The U-bolts that attach the air tank to the chassis may contact the fuel tank and over time, wear a hole in the tank.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A punctured fuel tank can leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and trim the U-bolts, and replace the fuel tank as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 3, 2023. Owners may contact Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 23PBH.

23V423000 · Electrical System

Jun 13, 2023

PACCAR, Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Peterbilt 579 vehicles equipped with MX-13 engines and 160-amp alternators. A fastener on the front spring bracket may have been installed with the head on the outside of the frame rail, which can chafe and damage the alternator positive cable.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A damaged alternator cable increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the frame fastener and secure the alternator cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 23PBD.

21V00N000 · Electrical System:wiring

Dec 29, 2021

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The operator may be unaware of a system malfunction or the presence of excessive methane levels, increasing the risk of injury or fire.

Remedy: Dealers will re-wire the warning alarm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 1, 2022. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220, and Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 21KWH and 21PBN.

21V906000 · Electrical System:software; Service Brakes, Air

Nov 19, 2021

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 2022. 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 21KWG and 21PBM.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

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.

Consequence: Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 2022. 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 21KWG and 21PBM.

Service Brakes, Air

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.

Consequence: Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 2022. 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 21KWG and 21PBM.

21V648000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Aug 19, 2021

PACCAR, Inc. (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Peterbilt 367, 389, 567, and 579 vehicles. The cross member mounted Hill Start Assist valve assembly may have insufficient clearance to the rear axle, causing damage to the rear brake hose and loss of the rear brake signal.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If loss of the rear brake signal occurs, the vehicle could experience reduced rear braking capability or loss of brakes to the rear axle(s), increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect for clearance and re-work the assembly to conform with an updated design, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 24, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 11, 2022. Owners may contact PACCAR's customer service at 1-940-591-4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's number for this recall is 21PBJ.

21V328000 · Service Brakes, Air; Service Brakes, Air:disc:chamber

May 10, 2021

PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021 Peterbilt 348 and 579 vehicles. The spring brake chamber may have been assembled with incorrect springs that were out of specification, which may cause the pressure plate to shift.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The pressure plate may tear the diaphragm, causing a loss of air pressure and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace brake chambers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 9, 2021. Owners may contact PACCAR (Peterbilt) customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 21PBE.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Air:disc:chamber

PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021 Peterbilt 348 and 579 vehicles. The spring brake chamber may have been assembled with incorrect springs that were out of specification, which may cause the pressure plate to shift.

Consequence: The pressure plate may tear the diaphragm, causing a loss of air pressure and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace brake chambers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 9, 2021. Owners may contact PACCAR (Peterbilt) customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 21PBE.

Service Brakes, Air

PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021 Peterbilt 348 and 579 vehicles. The spring brake chamber may have been assembled with incorrect springs that were out of specification, which may cause the pressure plate to shift.

Consequence: The pressure plate may tear the diaphragm, causing a loss of air pressure and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace brake chambers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 9, 2021. Owners may contact PACCAR (Peterbilt) customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 21PBE.

21V080000 · Engine

Feb 17, 2021

PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Kenworth T680, T880, W990, T800, W900 and Peterbilt 579, 567, 389, 367 vehicles equipped with a Cummins X15 engine. The capscrews that attach the flywheel to the crankshaft may have been improperly torqued, allowing the flywheel to detach.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached flywheel can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, driveline pieces may be ejected from the engine compartment, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will properly torque the capscrews and the engine will also be inspected for damage and, if necessary, repaired, free of charge. The recall began on March 29, 2021. 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 21KWA and 21PBB.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.