2020 PETERBILT 579 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
4
Owner Complaints
6
Recalls
12
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2020 PETERBILT 579
The 2020 PETERBILT 579 has received a total of 4 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 7 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, STEERING:CRITICAL FASTENERS, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR. 12 technical service bulletins have been issued by PACCAR Incorporated for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical Systeminstrument Panelspeedometerodometer (1 complaint), Electronic Stability Control Esc (1 complaint), and Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2020 PETERBILT 579
NHTSA has recorded 7 recalls for the 2020 PETERBILT 579, potentially affecting up to 60,390 vehicles.
Recall 21V00N000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
| 1,107 vehicles affected
Defect: 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: 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.
View full details →Recall 22V277000 — STEERING:CRITICAL FASTENERS
| 17,641 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Fastener failure can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 21V906000 — SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
| 908 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
View full details →Recall 21V906000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
| 908 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
View full details →Recall 20V130000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
| 35,671 vehicles affected
Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Peterbilt 365, 389, 567, and 579 vehicles equipped with a left-hand under hood jumper terminal (option code 2539410). The positive battery jumper terminal cable may be too long, allowing it to chafe against the left front suspension spring and result in an electrical short circuit.
Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the battery jumper terminal cables, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 30, 2020. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall...
View full details →Recall 19V733000 — VISIBILITY
| 248 vehicles affected
Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020 Peterbilt 579 vehicles equipped with a sleeper box. The conspicuity tape may have been installed in the incorrect location, affecting the vehicle's visibility to other drivers on the road. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated...
Consequence: Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will install additional conspicuity tape on back of sleeper in correct location, free of charge. The recall began November 4, 2019. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall...
View full details →Recall 19V340000 — VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
| 3,907 vehicles affected
Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020 Peterbilt 520 and 579 vehicles and Kenworth T680, T880 and W990 vehicles. The mirror glass may detach from the mirror carrier plate due to inadequate adhesion.
Consequence: If the mirror glass detaches, the driver may have reduced visibility and the mirror glass will become a road hazard that may strike another vehicle or pedestrian, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: PACCAR has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the upper mirror glass/mirror carrier, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 31, 2019. Kenworth owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt owners may call...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2020 PETERBILT 579
4 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2020 PETERBILT 579. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Systeminstrument Panelspeedometerodometer | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2020 Peterbilt 579. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 217,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 349,571.
Vehicle has a following distance sensor on front bumper. Sensor is sensing overpasses when traveling underneath them and that should not be detected. Vehicle is automatically applying hard braking. This is causing a possible rear end collision and or loss of vehicle controll in wet conditions.
Vehicle has a following distance sensor on front bumper. Sensor is sensing overpasses when traveling underneath them and that should not be detected. Vehicle is automatically applying hard braking. This is causing a possible rear end collision and or loss of vehicle controll in wet conditions.
EOA SUPPORT BRACKET BROKE OFF AND THE EOA MANIFOLD FELL INTO THE DRIVE SHAFT CAUSING THE LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE. THE TRUCK WAS ON THE INSTATE IN THE CITY.
Safety Rating for the 2020 PETERBILT 579
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2020 PETERBILT 579 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2020 PETERBILT 579
PACCAR Incorporated has issued 12 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2020 PETERBILT 579. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
46-014 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Information Only Storage guideline procedures are now available for both Medium Duty and Heavy-Duty Battery Electric Vehicles.
28-001 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
For all Peterbilt chassis equipped with an air shifted PTO. Oil from the air shift cover of the PTO may leak into the air line, causing the EOA solenoid to become inoperative.
36-008 — STRUCTURE
Certain 579 chassis are eligible to receive production level Digital Display software, Digital Display, Lane Keep Assist MUX switches, and Kick Panel.
02-178 — STRUCTURE
Fix As Fail â Certain 579, and New Model 579 chassis that were manufactured with a Bendix forward looking camera system may experience bracket failure causing the bracket and camera to fall from the windshield.
02-165 — STRUCTURE
Fix-As-Fail: Forces being applied to the split fender and fairing structure are causing the connection to crack and potentially separate. Reinforcement brackets secure the connection and prevent separation.
04-019 — EQUIPMENT
A roof fairing reinforcement kit increases structural support for one-piece 579 roof fairings that are experiencing fatigue from external forces such as reverse towing.
13-057 — EQUIPMENT
Fix-As-Fail â A hill start assist (HSA) valve plumbing revision eliminates ice buildup in the HSA valve exhaust in cold weather.Â
41-020 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The Turbo Inlet Elbow is susceptible to tearing, potentially allowing dust to enter the engine. The Turbo Inlet Elbow will be replaced with an improved part.
36-007 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
âNon-Safety Campaign -Â Certain Peterbilt Model 579 vehicles may have an incorrect blind spot sensor installed on the right-hand side.
19PBE — EQUIPMENT
Safety Recall: A regulatory non-compliance, may exist in certain model 579 vehicles manufactured between 8/26/2019 and 9/12/2019. On certain trucks, the reflective conspicuity tape on the back wall of the sleeper box was installed in incorrect locations. FMVSS 108 Section S8 2.4.2 regulations require the conspicuity tape to be placed...
Showing 10 of 12 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2020 PETERBILT 579
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the PETERBILT 579
- 2015 PETERBILT 579 — 6 complaints
- 2016 PETERBILT 579 — 4 complaints
- 2017 PETERBILT 579 — 2 complaints
- 2018 PETERBILT 579 — 12 complaints
- 2019 PETERBILT 579 — 4 complaints
- 2020 PETERBILT 579 (current)
- 2021 PETERBILT 579 — 1 complaint
- 2022 PETERBILT 579 — 6 complaints
- 2023 PETERBILT 579 — 3 complaints
- 2024 PETERBILT 579 — 3 complaints
- 2025 PETERBILT 579 — 0 complaints
Other PETERBILT Models
- PETERBILT 379 — 76 total complaints
- PETERBILT PETERBILT — 40 total complaints
- PETERBILT 388 — 36 total complaints
- PETERBILT 389 — 34 total complaints
- PETERBILT 357 — 19 total complaints
- PETERBILT 386 — 14 total complaints
- PETERBILT 387 — 14 total complaints
- PETERBILT 567 — 11 total complaints