What Peterbilt 520 owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Peterbilt 520 safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 61 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 54 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 49 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 47 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 56 |
| 2020 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 51 |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| 2012 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| 2010 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Peterbilt 520 complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
This one was taken in after the first one also for inspection by dealer. Issue wasn't as severe due to lower mileage and use. I believe the pads were just changed as a precaution, I don't believe they had started to separate.
After issue with first truck dealership asked to bring in others to be inspected and found same issue with them. Front brake pads were separating from backing. This truck had less mileage so damage not as severe.
Truck was brought in because driver heard a grinding noise. Mechanic inspected and found that the front disc brake pads and separated from the backing. Truck was thought to still be under warranty and was then taken to dealership for repairs.
FRONT BRAKES DRAGGING AND LOCKING. WRONG SIZE S-CAM BUSHING INSTALLED FROM FACTORY. *DT
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
"Kenworth: Dealers should check the chassis list and SIR weekly for VIN changes. 2 chassis added to the chassis list. Peterbilt: Dealers should check the chassis list and SIR weekly for VIN changes. 10 chassis added to the chassis list."
"KW: The chassis list has been updated to include 1 chassis. The total chassis count is now 53. A link to the PACCAR Powertrain Prognostics Webcast has been added in the Links section. PB: The chassis list has been updated to include 8 chassis. The total chassis count is now 130. A link to the PACCAR Powertrain Prognostics Webcast has been added in the Links section."
"KW: A link to the PACCAR Powertrain Prognostics Webcast has been added in the Links section. PB: The chassis list has been updated to include 2 chassis. The total chassis count is now 4. A link to the PACCAR Powertrain Prognostics Webcast has been added in the Links section."
"KW: A link to the PACCAR Powertrain Prognostics Webcast has been added in the Links section. PB: The chassis list has been updated to include 2 chassis. The total chassis count is now 4. A link to the PACCAR Powertrain Prognostics Webcast has been added in the Links section."
"KW: The chassis list has been updated to include 1 chassis. The total chassis count is now 53. A link to the PACCAR Powertrain Prognostics Webcast has been added in the Links section. PB: The chassis list has been updated to include 8 chassis. The total chassis count is now 130. A link to the PACCAR Powertrain Prognostics Webcast has been added in the Links section."
This optional software update is expected to be available after 08/28/2026.
"PB: The chassis list has been updated to include 11 chassis. The total chassis count is now 122. KW: The chassis list has been updated to include 3 chassis. The total chassis count is now 52."
"KW -The chassis list has been updated to include 2 chassis. Total chassis count is now 49. PB - The chassis list has been updated to include10 chassis. The total chassis count is now 111."
Updated Sheppard Steering Gear Classification Tool link in Inspection Procedure
Chassis list has been updated to include 10 chassis. The total chassis count is now 101.
This optional software update is expected to be available in late August 2026 for chassis equipped with EPA 2024 EMY 2024-2026 PACCAR MX-11 and MX-13 engines. This bulletin will be updated when the software is ready. This update provides customers with additional time to service their trucks before a DEF-related derate occurs. The software is being offered to customers in alignment with recently updated regulatory agency guidance. The procedure document has also been updated for clarity.
This optional software update is expected to be available in late August 2026 for chassis equipped with EPA 2024 EMY 2024-2026 PACCAR MX-11 and MX-13 engines. This bulletin will be updated when the software is ready. This update provides customers with additional time to service their trucks before a DEF-related derate occurs. The software is being offered to customers in alignment with recently updated regulatory agency guidance. The procedure document has also been updated for clarity.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Many end in a recall.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE21-015) based on one Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) and supporting fleet reports. The reports indicated that the subject quarter fenders were prone to cracking and/or separation.After a comprehensive review of the data related to the quarter fender failures on the subject vehicles, ODI did not identify the existence of a safety-related defect trend. Quarter fender failures resulted in a warranty claim rate less th
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2010–2026, owners most often name: service brakes. 4 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.