VehicleVerdict

2020 Peterbilt 579 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 5 complaints on file for the 2020 Peterbilt 579 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

5

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2020 compare to other 579 years?

579 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted12 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 1 complaints2014: 5 complaints2015: 6 complaints2016: 4 complaints2017: 3 complaints2018: 12 complaints2019: 4 complaints2020: 5 complaints2021: 1 complaints2022: 7 complaints2023: 3 complaints2024: 3 complaints2025: 0 complaints2026: 1 complaints
579 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 579 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Peterbilt 579 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System240%
Brakes120%
Driver Assistance120%
Transmission120%

Does the 2020 Peterbilt 579 have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V277000SteeringApril 25, 2022 · 17,641 units

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 22 PBB and 22 KWB.

21V00N000Electrical SystemDecember 29, 2021 · 1,107 units

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.

21V906000Electrical SystemNovember 19, 2021 · 908 units

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.

20V130000Electrical SystemMarch 4, 2020 · 35,671 units

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 is 20PBA.

19V733000Visibility & WipersOctober 15, 2019 · 248 units

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 Equipment."

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 is 19PBE.

19V340000Visibility & WipersMay 1, 2019 · 3,907 units

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 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall is 19KWC and 19PBC.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 17, 2024

“Camshaft failure as described in previous service bulletins for same year, make, model truck and Paccar MX-17 engine. Available for inspection as truck is not operational. Vehicle has been inspected by mechanic and no warning, messages, or other symptoms prior to the failure being noticed and…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 13, 2026

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 18, 2023

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · December 18, 2023

2020 Peterbilt 579 — common questions

Is the 2020 Peterbilt 579 reliable?

The record is thin — 5 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2020 Peterbilt 579 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Peterbilt 579. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.