- The problem
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Peterbilt 520, 579, and 2021-2025 Kenworth T680 trucks. The high voltage (HV) contactors may open, causing a sudden loss of high voltage and a loss of drive power.
- The risk
- A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will update the software and replace the electrical harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2025. Owners may contact Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220 and Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 25PBC and 25KWC.
Vehicle safety record
2023 Peterbilt 520 Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 2023 Peterbilt 520 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 5 recalls, the latest in March 2025 for the propulsion system.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical 520 year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
2023 Peterbilt 520 recalls 5
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
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- 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.
- The problem
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2023 Peterbilt 220, 389, 520, 536, 537, 348, 367, 567, 548, 579, and 2023 Kenworth T680, K270, T440, T880, W990, K370, T280, T380, T480, T800, and W900 vehicles. The engine control module (ECM) may experience an internal electrical short-circuit, causing the engine to stall.
- The risk
- An unexpected engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the ECM, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 16, 2022. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 22KWG and 22PBG.
- The problem
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Kenworth T170, T270, T280, T370, T380, T440, T470, T480, T680, T800, T880, W900, W990, C500, and 2022-2023 Peterbilt 325, 330, 337, 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, 536, 537, 548, 567, and 579 vehicles. The steering gears may have been assembled incorrectly, which can cause the gears to fracture.
- The risk
- A fractured steering gear can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect the steering gear serial numbers, and replace the steering gears as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2022. 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 22PBE and 22KWE.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 2023 Peterbilt 520 yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Peterbilt 520: every year compared
All 520 years2023 Peterbilt 520 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Peterbilt 520 | 0 | 5 | F | |
| 2023 Peterbilt 579 | 4 | 11 | F | Compare |
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.
Questions about the 2023 Peterbilt 520
Does the 2023 Peterbilt 520 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2023 Peterbilt 520: propulsion system (March 2025); control unit / module (December 2024); multiple axle (December 2022); engine control module (ecu / ecm) (August 2022) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 2023 Peterbilt 520 had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 2023 Peterbilt 520 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 2 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?
2020 (3), 2019 (1). See every Peterbilt 520 year compared.
What should I do if my 2023 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