The worst 2023 Peterbilt 520 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
Recalls 5
Electrical system: propulsion system
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Peterbilt 520, 579, and 2021-2025 Kenworth T680 trucks. The high voltage (HV) contactors may open, causing a sudden loss of high voltage and a loss of drive power.
- Risk
- A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the software and replace the electrical harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2025. Owners may contact Peterbilt's customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4220 and Kenworth's customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 25PBC and 25KWC.
Recall number 25V181000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Peterbilt and Kenworth vehicles, equipped with Bendix EC80 Advanced Electronic Control Units (ECU). Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. Electrical noise and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly process commands or stop functioning.
- Risk
- Safety systems that depend on the ECU (Automatic Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Active Cruise Control, and Collison Mitigation System) may not function properly or at all, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888 and Peterbilt's customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24KWL and 24PBL.
Recall number 24V915000 · Recall details
Suspension: multiple axle
- 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
Engine and engine cooling: engine: engine control module (ecu/ECM)
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2023 Peterbilt 220, 389, 520, 536, 537, 348, 367, 567, 548, 579, and 2023 Kenworth T680, K270, T440, T880, W990, K370, T280, T380, T480, T800, and W900 vehicles. The engine control module (ECM) may experience an internal electrical short-circuit, causing the engine to stall.
- Risk
- An unexpected engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the ECM, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 16, 2022. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888 and Peterbilt's customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 22KWG and 22PBG.
Recall number 22V631000 · Recall details
Steering
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Kenworth T170, T270, T280, T370, T380, T440, T470, T480, T680, T800, T880, W900, W990, C500, and 2022-2023 Peterbilt 325, 330, 337, 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, 536, 537, 548, 567, and 579 vehicles. The steering gears may have been assembled incorrectly, which can cause the gears to fracture.
- Risk
- A fractured steering gear can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the steering gear serial numbers, and replace the steering gears as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2022. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888 and Peterbilt's customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 22PBE and 22KWE.
Recall number 22V547000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2023 Peterbilt 520 50
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- "KW & PB 14 fuel injector part numbers (seven for MX-11 and seven for MX-13 engines) have been added to...
- 32 fuel injector part numbers (16 for MX-11 and 16 for MX-13) have been added to this warranty policy.
- An upgraded power steering pump is available for certain Model 520 chassis with a RHSU or dual steering...
- "Kenworth: Dealers should check the chassis list and SIR weekly for VIN changes
- The procedure has been updated to include additional steps for verifying the software level on the vehicle...
- The verbiage in the Introduction section has been updated.
- Certain unaffected chassis have been removed from the chassis population.
- This optional software update is now available for chassis equipped with EMY 2021B-2023 PACCAR MX-11 and...
- The Condition, Chassis Affected, Service Action, Warranty, and Procedure sections have been updated to...
- "The software is not yet available
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Questions about the 2023 Peterbilt 520
Is the 2023 Peterbilt 520 reliable?
Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2023 Peterbilt 520.
What is the most common problem with the 2023 Peterbilt 520?
There are not enough complaints to tell.
How many recalls does the 2023 Peterbilt 520 have?
5 recalls, covering electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic and suspension.
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