PACCAR recalls Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks for brake system defect
PACCAR is recalling approximately 908 Peterbilt and Kenworth commercial trucks from 2019-2022 for a brake defect that may cause unintended vehicle movement during winching operations. Software updates will be provided free of charge.
What this means for you
Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: This is a structural vehicle defect involving a safety-critical brake system. While no injuries or deaths have been reported, the defect allows unintended service brake disengagement during winching operations, creating immediate risk of crashes and injury, meeting the rubric criterion for structural vehicle defects.
Plain-English summary
PACCAR Incorporated is recalling certain commercial trucks including Peterbilt models 536, 537, 567, 579, and 389, as well as Kenworth T880 and W990 vehicles from model years 2019 through 2022. These trucks are used for wrecking and auto hauling operations. Approximately 908 vehicles are affected.
The issue involves the work brake system, also called the winch brake, used during winching operations on these vehicles. The winch brake may unintentionally disengage the service brakes, causing the vehicle to roll or move unexpectedly.
This defect increases the risk of unintended vehicle movement, which could result in a crash or injury to operators and bystanders.
PACCAR dealers will update the vehicle software at no cost to owners. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 2022. For more information, owners can contact PACCAR customer service at 1-425-828-5888 (Kenworth) or 1-940-591-4220 (Peterbilt), or call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
The recalled product
- Product
- PETERBILT, KENWORTH 389, 579, W990, 537
- Brand
- PETERBILT
- Manufacturer
- PACCAR Incorporated
- Category
- Vehicle — Commercial Truck
- Affected units
- 908
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (7)
- 389
- 579
- W990
- 537
- 567
- T880
- 536
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
Related recalls
Same brand · PETERBILT
- SeverePeterbilt Recalls 2027 548 Trucks Due to Brake Valve Size Issues
NHTSA · 2026-09-01
- Severe
- SeverePeterbilt 567 and 589 Trucks Recalled for Brake Air Tank Defect
NHTSA · 2025-11-17
- SeverePeterbilt rear brake piping clearance can cause loss of service brakes
NHTSA · 2025-05-28
- High
Same manufacturer · PACCAR Incorporated
See all →- Severe
- High
- HighPETERBILT 579 Tractors Recalled for Air Brake Valve Installation
NHTSA · 2026-07-08
- HighKenworth trucks display system may fail to show critical warnings
NHTSA · 2025-09-02