Vehicles › Peterbilt › Peterbilt 579
2018 Peterbilt 579
The 2018 Peterbilt 579 appears in 13 NHTSA recall campaigns (steering, electronic stability control (esc) and electrical system) and in 2 consumer complaints filed with the agency.
The component named most often is electrical system: 333.3 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 106.9 per 1,000 across all 2018 model-year vehicles and against 166.7 per 1,000 for the Peterbilt 579 line as a whole.
That is more than the average of 0.5 complaints per model year across the 22 Peterbilt 579 model years on this register.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2019 (2); the most recent in the file is dated 21 Apr 2019.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation has opened 2 investigations naming this model year.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
Defect, as filed: 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.
Filed by PACCAR Incorporated (manufacturer campaign 22 PBB and 22 KWB).
Defect, as filed: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2008-2019 Peterbilt 330, 335, 337, 340, 348, 365, 367, 384, 386, 387, 388, 389, 567, 579 and 587 vehicles and 2008-2020 Kenworth T170, T270, T370, T660, T680, T800, T880, and W900 vehicles equipped with NAMUX Software. In the event that the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) loses battery and/or ignition power to the controller, the dash warning light for the ABS may not illuminate to warn the driver of the loss of ABS. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems," and 136, "Electronic Stability Control System on Heavy Vehicles."
Consequence: If the driver unknowingly operates the vehicle without the ABS functioning, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will update the NAMUX software within the cab control module, free of charge. PACCAR issued owners an interim notification on June 4, 2020. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 20pbc AND 20KWB.
Filed by PACCAR Incorporated (manufacturer campaign 20pbc AND 20KWB); components: electronic stability control (esc); service brakes, air:antilock:abs warning light.
Defect, as filed: 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.
Filed by PACCAR Incorporated (manufacturer campaign 20PBA).
Defect, as filed: Transportation Power, Inc. (TransPower) is recalling certain 2017-2018 electric trucks built on Peterbilt 579 chassis. The vehicles do not have stabilization hardware and software that interacts with the braking system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 136, "Electronic Stability Control Systems on Heavy Vehicles."
Consequence: Without a Electronic Stability Control system, there is a greater chance of loss of stability control, which increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: TransPower will notify owners, and dealers will install an Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system, free of charge. The recall began September 26, 2019. Owners may contact TransPower customer service at 1-858-248-4255.
Filed by Transportation Power, Inc..
Defect, as filed: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Peterbilt 337, 348, 365, 367, 389, 567, 579 and 587 trucks and 2018-2019 Kenworth C500, T270, T370, T440, T660, T680, T800, T880 and W900 trucks equipped with automated manual transmissions. An internal component in the clutch assembly may fail, possibly resulting in unintended vehicle movement.
Consequence: Unintended movement of a vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will update the transmission control module, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2019. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 18PBE and 18KWH.
Filed by PACCAR Incorporated (manufacturer campaign 18PBE; 18KWH).
Defect, as filed: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018 Kenworth T680 and T880, and Peterbilt 567 and 579 trucks. The seat belt buckle assemblies on these vehicles may have been glued and not sewn during manufacturing, possibly causing the assembly to come apart under load, such as in the event of a crash.
Consequence: If the seat belt buckle assembly separates, it can prevent the occupant from being properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt buckle assemblies that were not sewn, free of charge. PACCAR issued owners an interim notification on February 4, 2019. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-918-259-3258. PACCAR's numbers for this recall is 18KWG, and 18PBD.
Filed by PACCAR Incorporated (manufacturer campaign 18KWG and 18PBD).
Defect, as filed: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Kenworth T680 and T880 and Peterbilt 579 trucks, greater than 30 feet long and equipped with side extender mounted intermediate marker lamp/turn signals that do not include a reflex reflector. Since both intermediate side marker lamps and reflex reflectors are required, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: Missing reflex reflectors can reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners and dealers will install reflex reflective tape, free of charge. The recall began January 15, 2019. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-918-259-3258. PACCAR's number for this recall is 18KWF, and 18PBC.
Filed by PACCAR Incorporated (manufacturer campaign 18KWF & 18PBC).
Defect, as filed: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Kenworth C500, T600, T660, T680, T800, T880 and W900 trucks, as well as Peterbilt 367, 386, 389, 567, 579 and 587 trucks, equipped with Cummins ISX15 or X15 diesel engines. In certain driving conditions, such as on a long down-hill grade, the fuel line may burst if the fuel pump cooling circuit screen becomes restricted.
Consequence: If the fuel line bursts, fuel may leak onto the road resulting in a roadway hazard for other motorists. The engine may also stall without warning, resulting in the vehicle's inability to restart, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Cummins will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect fuel pump cooling circuit screen, free of charge. The recall began November 21, 2018. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 18E081.
Filed by PACCAR Incorporated (manufacturer campaign 18E081).
Defect, as filed: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Peterbilt 567 and 579 trucks and 2015-2018 Kenworth T660, T680, T800, T880 and W900 trucks. In the event that the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) loses battery and/or ignition power to the controller, the dash warning light for the ABS may not illuminate to warn the driver of the loss of ABS. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems," and 136, "Electronic Stability Control System on Heavy Vehicles."
Consequence: If the driver unknowingly operates the vehicle without the ABS functioning, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will update the NAMUX software within the cab control module, free of charge. PACCAR issued owners an interim notification on July 30, 2018. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-918-259-3258 or Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000.
Filed by PACCAR Incorporated (manufacturer campaign 18KWD;18PBB); components: electronic stability control (esc); service brakes, air:antilock:abs warning light.
Defect, as filed: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kenworth T680 and T880 trucks, and Peterbilt 567 and 579 trucks, all equipped with an automated Eaton UltraShift Plus or Eaton Advantage Transmission with right hand stalk shifter. The display that indicates which transmission gear the driver selected may display incorrectly. The display can indicate 'N' when the shifter is set into 'D' or 'R', and the as a result, the truck will not move. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence/Starter Interlock/Transmission Braking Effect," and number 101, "Control and Displays."
Consequence: A truck that does not move as expected can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will install a transmission software update, free of charge. The recall began on March 9, 2018. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall is 18KWA and 118-A.
Filed by PACCAR Incorporated (manufacturer campaign 18KWA and 118-A); components: electrical system: instrument cluster/panel; power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl).
- 17V840000POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)Reported 22 Dec 2017 · 1,222 units
Defect, as filed: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018 Peterbilt 567, 579, Kenworth T680, and T880 trucks, equipped with certain Eaton Endurant and PACCAR AMT transmissions. The transmission control module (TCM) may allow the engine to crank briefly even if the transmission shifter is not in neutral. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence/Starter Interlock/Transmission Braking Effect."
Consequence: If the transmission is not in neutral when the engine begins running, there may be unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will update the TCM software, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2018. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000, or Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 1217F and 1717KWF.
Filed by PACCAR Incorporated (manufacturer campaign 1217F and 17KWF).
Defect, as filed: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Peterbilt 367, 389, 567, 579 and 587 trucks, and 2018 Kenworth C500, T680, T800, T880 and W900 trucks equipped with Cummins ISX 15L engines. These engines have a fuel pump whose drive gear could possibly slip on its drive shaft, causing a fuel pump function loss, resulting in an engine stall.
Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Cummins will notify the vehicle purchaser, and Cummins dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. The recall began July 1, 2017. Owners may contact Cummins customer service at 1-800-286-6467 or PACCAR customer service at 1-425-468-7400. PACCAR's number for this recall is C1909.
Filed by PACCAR Incorporated (manufacturer campaign C1909).
- 17V103000FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSReported 15 Feb 2017 · 465 units
Defect, as filed: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Kenworth K370, T680, T880 and 2017-2018 Peterbilt 567 and 579 trucks. The plastic fuel tee fittings on these trucks may leak fuel.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Kenworth and Peterbilt will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect fuel tees, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2017. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000 and Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. PACCAR's numbers for this recall is 17KWA and 217-A.
Filed by PACCAR Incorporated (manufacturer campaign 17KWA and 217-A).
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 2018 Peterbilt 579 (black) against all 2018 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 2018 | 579 line | All 2018 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 333.3 | 166.7 | 106.9 |
| Service Brakes | 333.3 | 166.7 | 70.2 |
| Steering | 333.3 | 111.1 | 109 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 | 333.3 | 166.7 | 106.9 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 333.3 | 166.7 | 70.2 |
| Steering | 1 | 333.3 | 111.1 | 109 |
2 unique complaints, 3 component mentions; 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
| Action | Type | Subject | Component | Opened | Closed | Recall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PE20015 | Preliminary evaluation | Quarter Fender Failures | structure:frame and members:underbody shields | 21 Sep 2020 | 14 Oct 2021 | — |
| PE20006 | Preliminary evaluation | Intermittent Loss of Power Steering Assist | steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion) | 1 May 2020 | 27 Mar 2024 | — |
Other Peterbilt 579 model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 213,230 |
| 2007 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 213,230 |
| 2008 | 2 | 0 | 673,745 |
| 2009 | 2 | 0 | 673,745 |
| 2010 | 3 | 0 | 675,450 |
| 2011 | 4 | 0 | 676,944 |
| 2012 | 6 | 0 | 677,522 |
| 2013 | 13 | 1 | 700,793 |
| 2014 | 12 | 2 | 701,974 |
| 2015 | 9 | 3 | 721,876 |
| 2016 | 10 | 2 | 736,666 |
| 2017 | 12 | 1 | 645,639 |
| 2018 | 13 | 2 | 687,755 |
| 2019 | 7 | 0 | 590,806 |
| 2020 | 5 | 0 | 58,375 |
| 2021 | 8 | 0 | 298,771 |
| 2022 | 14 | 0 | 427,367 |
| 2023 | 11 | 0 | 424,260 |
| 2024 | 7 | 0 | 394,998 |
| 2025 | 7 | 0 | 337,031 |
| 2026 | 2 | 0 | 56,268 |
| 2027 | 3 | 0 | 6,744 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All Peterbilt 579 model years · Peterbilt: 43 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 2018 Peterbilt 579 have?
13 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 22V277000, was reported to NHTSA on 25 Apr 2022 and concerns steering:critical fasteners. Across all model years the Peterbilt 579 line has 59 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 2018 Peterbilt 579?
NHTSA's investigation file lists 2 actions naming this model year; the table above shows each action's opening and closing dates. An action with no closing date was still open when the file was produced.
What component do owners of the 2018 Peterbilt 579 complain about most?
Electrical System: 1 of 3 component mentions (333.3 per 1,000). Next is service brakes with 1. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.