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2019 Peterbilt 520 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2019 Peterbilt 520 with NHTSA, most often about the brakes (1). It is covered by 8 recalls, the latest in December 2022 for the multiple axle. For comparison, the 2018 has 0 and the 2020 has 3.

NHTSA data checked

FFar more problems than a typical 520 year, for its age

#368 most complained-about 2019 vehicle

Complaints
1
Recalls
8
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Most common 2019 Peterbilt 520 problems

Share of all 1 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2019 Peterbilt 520 recalls 8

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Suspension: multiple axle

22V93900015,658 vehicles affected

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

Steering: critical fasteners

22V27700017,641 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The risk
Fastener failure can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix
Dealers will replace and torque the steer arm fasteners, at no charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2022. 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 are 22 PBB and 22 KWB.

Fuel system: fuel rail

21V391000612 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix
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: column

21V0040001,021 vehicles affected

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

Service brakes

20V132000233 vehicles affected

The problem
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."
The risk
A delayed brake release may increase the risk of crash.
The fix
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will check the vehicles for a quick release valve, installing one as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2020. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 20PBB.

Steering

19V91700021 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The risk
The improperly mounted steering assist cylinder bracket may break and cause damage to surrounding components and/or lock up the steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will correcting the mounting, free of charge. PACCAR issued owners an interim notification on January 31, 2020. The recall began March 4, 2020. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 19PBF.

Exterior lighting: turn signal

19V452000343 vehicles affected

The problem
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."
The risk
Rear Turn signals that illuminate at the same time as the brake lights may create confusion and impair the effectiveness of the brake lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
PACCAR will notify owners, and for trucks with rear amber lights, dealers will add a jumper harness between the chassis electrical harness and amber tail lights, free of charge. The recall began August 1, 2019. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 19PBC.

Electrical system

19V2820005,051 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The risk
An unexpected engine shut down can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will replace the main power wire to the PDC with a wire of the correct size, free of charge. The recall began August 6, 2019. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-918-259-3258. PACCAR's number for this recall is 19PBB.

What owners say

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1 complaints about the 2019 Peterbilt 520

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Brakes

Front brakes dragging and locking. Wrong size s-cam bushing installed from factory. *Dt

Filed Incident Service brakesNHTSA 11204662

Peterbilt 520: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20230500-F
20220400-F
20210600-F
202031200BrakesF
20191800BrakesF
20180800-F
20170500-F
20160400-F
20150300-F
All 520 years

2019 Peterbilt 520 vs rivals

VehicleComplaintsRecallsCrashesGrade
2019 Peterbilt 520180F
2019 Peterbilt 389360CCompare
2019 Peterbilt 579280CCompare
2019 Peterbilt 567180CCompare

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2019 Peterbilt 520

Does the 2019 Peterbilt 520 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2019 Peterbilt 520: multiple axle (December 2022); critical fasteners (April 2022); fuel rail (May 2021); column (January 2021) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2019 Peterbilt 520?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the brakes (1).

How many complaints has the 2019 Peterbilt 520 had?

1 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 30, 2019 and the latest on April 30, 2019. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2019 Peterbilt 520 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 3 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Peterbilt 520 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Peterbilt 520 years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 2019 Peterbilt 520 has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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