Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks with lighting and axle control defect
PACCAR is recalling 2024–2026 Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks. A software fault may prevent tail brake lights, headlights, reverse lights, and turn signals from illuminating properly, and may cause lift axles to unexpectedly raise or oscillate.
What this means for you
Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.
Our severity reasoning: The defect creates a risk of harm through reduced visibility and unexpected axle movement, and these conditions increase the risk of crash and injury. No illnesses or injuries have been reported, but the hazard is substantive and relates to critical safety functions (lighting and axle stability).
Plain-English summary
PACCAR Incorporated is recalling multiple model years of Kenworth (T180, T280, T380, T480, T680, T880, W990, L770) and Peterbilt (520, 535, 536, 537, 548, 567, 579, 589) trucks. The vehicles contain a software defect in the lighting control module that may prevent the tail brake light, upper and lower beam headlights, reverse light, and turn signal from illuminating as intended.
Additionally, the lift axles may revert to a raised position or oscillate up and down when the signal warning lights are activated. These failures do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108 regarding lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Delayed and unsteady headlights can result in insufficient illumination of the road, decreasing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Unexpected position changes of the lift axles may increase the risk of injury.
Dealers will update the VCU software free of charge. Owner letters were mailed on August 19, 2025. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's reference number for this recall is 25PACF.
The recalled product
- Product
- 2026 KENWORTH T680
- Brand
- KENWORTH
- Manufacturer
- PACCAR Incorporated
- Category
- Vehicle — Commercial Truck
- Hazard
- lighting-failure
- visibility-impairment
- axle-control-defect
- crash-risk
- Affected units
- 56,260
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 (16)
- T680
- L770
- 579
- 520
- 548
- T480
- 536
- 567
- T880
- W990
- T280
- T380
- 535
- 537
- 589
- T180
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.