The Used Car Index

2018 Peterbilt 520 problems

No complaints are listed for the 2018 Peterbilt 520. NHTSA's API and bulk file list none in this build.

Data build 2026-10-07.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as PETERBILT 520.

At a glance

Complaints
0
With crash
0
With fire
0
With injury (complaints)
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Recalls
8
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
17,641
Investigations
1
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
48

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Model-generated complaint tags: No complaints are listed for tagging.

Recalls

8 recalls.

22V939000

Date: 2022-12-16. Systems: SUSPENSION.

Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2015-2023 Peterbilt 320 and 520 refuse trucks equipped with Haulmaax/EX suspensions. The suspension tracking rod brackets may fail and detach from the forward drive axle, causing the axle to become unstable.

Consequence: An unstable axle can decrease vehicle stability and control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the welds and add an additional bracket between the tracking rod bracket and axle housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 14, 2023. Owners may contact Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 22PBL.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

22V277000

Date: 2022-04-25. Systems: STEERING.

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V391000

Date: 2021-05-26. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL.

Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Peterbilt 337, 348, 365, 367, 520, 567, Kenworth T270, T370, T440, T470, T800 and T880 vehicles. The sealing washer may not seat correctly in the pilot bore holes, allowing the high pressure fuel rail assembly to leak.

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rail threads and fuel lines, and replace the rail as necessary, free of charge. 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 21KWC and 21PBD.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V004000

Date: 2021-01-11. Systems: STEERING.

Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2015-2021 Peterbilt 320 and 520 vehicles. The steering column support structure may crack or break in certain right-hand, stand-up drive models. (excerpt)

Consequence: If the steering column loosens from the mounting structure, steering control can become affected, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the 520 models right hand stand-pp steering column structure and replace it if cracks are present, as well as add additional support brackets to the new (if replaced) or existing structure, free of charge. Additionally, for the 520 models, dealers will install a large gusset with triangulating support for the column bracket, free of charge. Own (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

20V132000

Date: 2020-03-04. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR.

Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2016-2020 Peterbilt 320 and 520 vehicles with dual foot valves and a liftable tag or tri-drive rear axles. The rear brake signal hose may be missing a quick release valve, possibly causing a delay in their brake release timing. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121 (excerpt)

Consequence: A delayed brake release may increase the risk of crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will check the vehicles for a quick release valve, installing one as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2020. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 20PBB. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

19V917000

Date: 2019-12-20. Systems: STEERING.

Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Peterbilt 520 vehicles built in Right-Hand Stand-Up configuration. The steering assist cylinder bracket may not have been properly mounted.

Consequence: The improperly mounted steering assist cylinder bracket may break and cause damage to surrounding components and/or lock up the steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will correcting the mounting, free of charge. PACCAR issued owners an interim notification on January 31, 2020. The recall began March 4, 2020. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 19PBF.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

19V452000

Date: 2019-06-14. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 1990-2020 Peterbilt 320 and 520 vehicles built with specific amber rear turn signals. The turn signals may also light up with the stop/tail lights when the brakes are applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipme (excerpt)

Consequence: Rear Turn signals that illuminate at the same time as the brake lights may create confusion and impair the effectiveness of the brake lights, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and for trucks with rear amber lights, dealers will add a jumper harness between the chassis electrical harness and amber tail lights, free of charge. The recall began August 1, 2019. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 19PBC. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

19V282000

Date: 2019-04-09. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE.

Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Peterbilt 520 vehicles. Due to undersized wires, the connector between the cab power harness and the power distribution center (PDC) harness may overheat and melt, possibly resulting in an engine shutdown.

Consequence: An unexpected engine shut down can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will replace the main power wire to the PDC with a wire of the correct size, free of charge. The recall began August 6, 2019. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-918-259-3258. PACCAR's number for this recall is 19PBB.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

1 investigations; 0 open.

PE20015

Opened: 2020-09-21. Closed: 2021-10-14.

Quarter Fender Failures

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

Systems: STRUCTURE.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

Manufacturer communications

48 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING11
EQUIPMENT7
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY7
ENGINE4
STRUCTURE4
VISIBILITY4
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR3

11037541

Date: 2026-09-11. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

"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."

11032284

Date: 2026-04-01. Type: Emissions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE.

EPA17-24 MX Fuel Injector Connector - This bulletin has been revised to include all EPA17-24 and CARB24 PACCAR MX engines.

11010926

Date: 2024-11-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

Info Only Unnecessary starter replacements can result from customer complaints regarding engine starting issues. A new Starter Troubleshooting Guide has been created to provide a comprehensive list of starting system checks, which should reduce unnecessary starter replacements and associated warran

11009757

Date: 2024-10-22. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: ENGINE, POWER TRAIN.

7/700 Service Agreement - Letter Only.

11005516

Date: 2024-07-30. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SUSPENSION.

Fix As Fail The height control valve (HCV) rod on vehicles with low air leaf suspensions is prone to toggling over center during rough road conditions. With full suspension articulation, HCV bracket flexes and toggles over center the HCV linkage, which results in either deflated airbags or makes th

10232160

Date: 2023-02-27. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Certain Engine Model Year 2018 PACCAR MX-11 engines must have the crankcase pressure sensor replaced due to contamination during assembly.

10225578

Date: 2022-10-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Info Only - PACCAR is introducing Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates for engine MY17 and newer chassis equipped with Cummins X15, X12, ISX12, ISX12N, L9N, PX-7, and PX-9 engines The technology will leverage the existing Remote Diagnostic cs hardware to deliver secure software updates remotely. This

10219235

Date: 2022-08-03. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES.

The service information for Bendix Air Dryer maintenance is being updated to include new procedures.

10217134

Date: 2022-07-12. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: VISIBILITY.

Info Only A?A A Certain 520 model chassis built between 2014 and 2021, and equipped with the Red Dot HVAC system, may have service port spacing which will not allow the connection of a pressure gauge to both the high and low side service ports simultaneously. A specific tool is available from the

10208758

Date: 2022-02-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Due to major data carriers phasing out 3G networks, chassis currently utilizing first generation Peoplenet Mobile Gateway (PMG001) will experience severe 3G service degradation as early as January of 2022. Chassis currently utilizing 3G antennas as a primary antenna may experience this degradation.

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.
  • NHTSA's complaints API and bulk file list no complaint for this make, model and model year in this data build.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
5200

Same model, other years

All model years | All Peterbilt models

Other Peterbilt models, 2018

Sources

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