2021 Peterbilt 536 Problems: 0 Complaints, 6 Recalls

The worst 2021 Peterbilt 536 problems

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Recalls 6

Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shiftReported March 20, 2024 · 70,509 vehicles affected

What is wrong: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Peterbilt 365, 367, 389, 535, 536, 537, 548, 567, 579, and 2021-2025 Kenworth T180, T280, T380, T480, T680, T880 and W990 trucks. The right-hand gear shifter stalk connectors may have been improperly crimped, resulting in a loss of communication.
Risk: A loss of communication between the gear shifter and the transmission may result in the vehicle becoming disabled after coming to a stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the gear shifter assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 15, 2025, then phased after that. 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 24PBE and 24KWE.

Recall number 24V190000 · Recall details

Service brakes, airReported September 29, 2023 · 254 vehicles affected

What is wrong: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Kenworth T280, T380, 2020-2024 Peterbilt 548, 536, 2024 Peterbilt 537, and 2020-2024 Kenworth T480 trucks. The timing of the trailer brake release may be delayed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
Risk: A delay in the trailer brake release can create instability to the trailer and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fittings and hoses in the affected valves, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 15, 2024. 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 23KWJ and 23PBJ.

Recall number 23V661000 · Recall details

Service brakes, airReported February 15, 2023 · 8,008 vehicles affected

What is wrong: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Kenworth T280, T380, T480, Peterbilt 536, 537, and 548 vehicles. When the brake pedal is fully applied and then released rapidly, the pedal plunger that connects the brake pedal to the brake valve may become disconnected, causing the service brakes to fail.
Risk: Service brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will add a pedal restraint bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2023. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-588 and Peterbilt's customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 23KWB and 23PBB.

Recall number 23V087000 · Recall details

Electrical system: wiringReported December 29, 2021 · 1,107 vehicles affected

What is wrong: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Peterbilt 567, 579, 2021-2022 Peterbilt 536, 2017-2021 Kenworth T880, 2016-2022 Kenworth T680, 2018-2020 Kenworth T440, 2020 Kenworth T270, and 2021 Kenworth T280 vehicles. The methane detection system will not function if the system loses power.
Risk: The operator may be unaware of a system malfunction or the presence of excessive methane levels, increasing the risk of injury or fire.
Remedy: Dealers will re-wire the warning alarm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 1, 2022. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4220, and Kenworth customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 21KWH and 21PBN.

Recall number 21V00N000 · Recall details

Fuel system, diesel: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported August 3, 2021 · 688 vehicles affected

What is wrong: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Peterbilt 536, 537, 548 and Kenworth T270, T280, T370, T380, T440, T470, and T480 vehicles equipped with Cummins L9 diesel engines. A fuel leak may occur from the fuel hose between the fuel pump and the remote fuel filter head.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Cummins will replace the fuel hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed in October 2021. Owners may contact PACCAR's customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888 (Kenworth) and 1‑940‑591‑4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 21PBG and 21KWF.

Recall number 21V601000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: engine: engine control module (ecu/ECM): softwareReported March 16, 2021 · 1 vehicles affected

What is wrong: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling one 2021 Peterbilt 536 vehicle equipped with a Cummins Westport Inc. B6.7N engine that has certain engine control module calibrations. The engine control module software may be calibrated incorrectly, causing the engine to not limit engine speed or torque as intended for certain safety-related functions such as vehicle braking, traction and stability control, speed control, or collision avoidance.
Risk: If safety-related functions such as vehicle braking, stability, speed, and collision avoidance do not function properly, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: PACCAR owns the vehicle affected, and it was repaired as of March 3, 2021. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 21PBC.

Recall number 21V181000 · Recall details

See all 6 recalls for the 2021 Peterbilt 536

Technical service bulletins for the 2021 Peterbilt 536 31

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

Nov 4, 2026 Service bulletinThe new 2.1m day cab lift tools, a Level 3 mandatory tool, are now available to order.
Sep 11, 2026 Service bulletin"Kenworth: Dealers should check the chassis list and SIR weekly for VIN changes
Aug 13, 2026 Service bulletinThe verbiage in the Introduction section has been updated.
Jun 3, 2026 Service bulletin"KW: A new recommended repair has been added to verify the software level and close the campaign in...
May 6, 2026 Service bulletinTroubleshooting procedures for 2.1m cab power windows are now available.
Apr 16, 2026 Service bulletinBogie Crossmember Torque Value Update
Feb 11, 2026 Service bulletinThe Parts section has been updated to clarify that freight charges for safety recall orders should not be...
Feb 3, 2026 Service bulletinCummins TSB 210203 has been updated to remove the PACCAR suction side fuel filter part number from Table 1...
Nov 26, 2025 Service campaignThe right-hand shift stalk may have an improper wire harness terminal crimp within the wire harness connector
Mar 26, 2025 Service campaignAs of 03/25/2025, this campaign has resumed

See all 31 bulletins for the 2021 Peterbilt 536

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Is the 2021 Peterbilt 536 reliable?

Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2021 Peterbilt 536.

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How many recalls does the 2021 Peterbilt 536 have?

6 recalls, covering power train, service brakes, air and electrical system.

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2021 Peterbilt 536 problems