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2020 Peterbilt 520 problems

The most common problem on the 2020 Peterbilt 520 is brakes. Its complaint count is close to a typical 520 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
3
Recalls
12
Service bulletins
531 warranty
Worst area
Brakes

The worst 2020 Peterbilt 520 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Brakes
    3

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    3

Recalls 12

Suspension: multiple axleReported December 16, 2022 · 15,658 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 22V939000 · Recall details

Steering: critical fastenersReported April 25, 2022 · 17,641 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 22V277000 · Recall details

Service brakes, airReported September 16, 2021 · 15 vehicles affected
What is wrong
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Peterbilt 520 vehicles. The quick release valve on the rear brake signal hose may be missing. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
Risk
A missing quick release valve cannot ensure correct rear brake release timing, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the vehicles for a missing quick release valve, and install one if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 7, 2021. Owners may contact PACCAR's customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's number for this recall is 21PBK.

Recall number 21V720000 · Recall details

Fuel system, diesel: fuel injection system: fuel railReported May 26, 2021 · 612 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 21V391000 · Recall details

Steering: columnReported January 11, 2021 · 1,021 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
If the steering column loosens from the mounting structure, steering control can become affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Owner notification letters were mailed July 30, 2021. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 21PBA.

Recall number 21V004000 · Recall details

Electronic stability control (ESC)Reported November 25, 2020 · 11 vehicles affected
What is wrong
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Peterbilt 520 vehicles. The stability control brake relay may have the Spring Brake Modulating (SBM) Valve or the lift axle hose incorrectly connected.
Risk
A stability control event meant to only actuate the ABS controlled wheel ends could actuate lift axle brakes or modulate park brake chambers and could possibly de-stabilize the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the suspect chassis and correct the brake relay plumbing if needed, free of charge. PACCAR has issued owners an interim notification on January 4, 2020. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 25, 2021. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 20PBF.

Recall number 20V739000 · Recall details

Power train: axle assemblyReported August 26, 2020 · 1,097 vehicles affected
What is wrong
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Peterbilt 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, 567 and Kenworth T800, T880, W900, W990 vehicles equipped with Watson and Chalin steerable lift axle suspension systems (model SL2065). The axles may have lower rear pivot bolts that are not long enough to sufficiently engage the locking feature of the corresponding nuts.
Risk
The short screws can cause the hardware to separate from the suspension system and become road hazards, increasing the risk of a crash and/or injury.
Remedy
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect suspect chassis and replace the pivot bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2020. 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 is 20PBE and 20KWC.

Recall number 20V506000 · Recall details

Steering: electric power assist systemReported July 24, 2020 · 239 vehicles affected
What is wrong
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020 Peterbilt 520 vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used to secure the steering assist cylinder bracket, possibly allowing the bolts to loosen.
Risk
Loose bolts may cause the bracket to flex or break, potentially damaging adjacent components or locking up the steering, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will install hardware with thread adhesive and replace any components damaged by the improperly secured steer assist bracket, free of charge. The recall began August 17, 2020. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888. PACCAR's number for this recall is 20PBD.

Recall number 20V429000 · Recall details

Service brakes, airReported March 4, 2020 · 233 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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, "Air Disc Brakes."
Risk
A delayed brake release may increase the risk of crash.
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.

Recall number 20V132000 · Recall details

Power train: axle assembly: axle shaftReported December 19, 2019 · 148 vehicles affected
What is wrong
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020 Kenworth T800, T880 and W990 and Peterbilt 348, 367, 389, 520, and 567 vehicles. The forward rear axle output shafts may have been improperly heat treated during manufacturing, possibly resulting in the shafts fracturing.
Risk
If the rear axle output shaft fractures, the shaft or interaxle driveline could detach and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the output shafts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2020. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888 or Peterbilt customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 19KWE and 19PBG.

Recall number 19V911000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: tail lightsReported June 14, 2019 · 343 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 Equipment."
Risk
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.
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.

Recall number 19V452000 · Recall details

EngineReported April 9, 2019 · 5,051 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 19V282000 · Recall details

See all 12 recalls for the 2020 Peterbilt 520

Technical service bulletins for the 2020 Peterbilt 520 53

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 53 bulletins for the 2020 Peterbilt 520

What 2020 Peterbilt 520 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 2, 2021 · Brakes · KS

This one was taken in after the first one also for inspection by dealer. Issue wasn't as severe due to lower mileage and use. I believe the pads were just changed as a precaution, I don't believe they had started to separate.

Filed Aug 2, 2021 · Brakes · KS

After issue with first truck dealership asked to bring in others to be inspected and found same issue with them. Front brake pads were separating from backing. This truck had less mileage so damage not as severe.

Filed Aug 2, 2021 · Brakes · KS

Truck was brought in because driver heard a grinding noise. Mechanic inspected and found that the front disc brake pads and separated from the backing. Truck was thought to still be under warranty and was then taken to dealership for repairs.

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Compare the 2020 Peterbilt 520

Other model years

20192020

Questions about the 2020 Peterbilt 520

Is the 2020 Peterbilt 520 reliable?

Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2020 Peterbilt 520, close to a typical 520 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2020 Peterbilt 520?

Brakes, with 3 complaints.

How many recalls does the 2020 Peterbilt 520 have?

12 recalls, covering suspension, steering and service brakes, air.

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