- The problem
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2026 Kenworth L770 and 2024-2026 Peterbilt 520 vehicles. The right-hand stand-up (RHSU) configuration on the steering cross-shaft may become stressed and fail.
- The risk
- A steering cross-shaft that fails can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and repair the steering cross-shafts and replace any damaged or broken cross-shafts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 13, 2026. Owners may contact Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220 and Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR's number for this recall is 26PACA.
Vehicle safety record
2026 Peterbilt 520 Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 2026 Peterbilt 520 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in January 2026 for the steering.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical 520 year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
2026 Peterbilt 520 recalls 2
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 2024-2026 Kenworth T480, T680, T880, W990, Peterbilt 520, 536, 537, 548, 567, 579, 589, 2025 Kenworth T180, Peterbilt 535, 2025-2026 Kenworth T280, T380 and L770 vehicles. The tail brake light, upper and lower beam headlights, reverse light, and turn signal may not illuminate as intended. In addition, the lift axles, if lowered, may revert to a raised position, or oscillate up and down when the signal warning lights are activated. 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
- Delayed and unsteady headlights can result in insufficient illumination of the road, decreasing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an unexpected position change of the lift axles may increase the risk of injury.
- The fix
- Dealers will update the VCU software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 19, 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 number for this recall is 25PACF.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 2026 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 years2026 Peterbilt 520 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Peterbilt 520 | 0 | 2 | F | |
| 2026 Peterbilt 579 | 1 | 2 | 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 2026 Peterbilt 520
Does the 2026 Peterbilt 520 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2026 Peterbilt 520: steering (January 2026); software (June 2025). 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 2026 Peterbilt 520 had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 2026 Peterbilt 520 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 1 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 2026 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