The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·21V906000·Announced 2021-11-19

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

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. 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
Hazard
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.

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