The worst 2021 Peterbilt 548 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
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
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
- 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, air
- 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, air
- 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
Fuel system, diesel: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- 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
Technical service bulletins for the 2021 Peterbilt 548 29
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The new 2.1m day cab lift tools, a Level 3 mandatory tool, are now available to order.
- "Kenworth: Dealers should check the chassis list and SIR weekly for VIN changes
- The verbiage in the Introduction section has been updated.
- "KW: A new recommended repair has been added to verify the software level and close the campaign in...
- Troubleshooting procedures for 2.1m cab power windows are now available.
- Bogie Crossmember Torque Value Update
- The Parts section has been updated to clarify that freight charges for safety recall orders should not be...
- Cummins TSB 210203 has been updated to remove the PACCAR suction side fuel filter part number from Table 1...
- The right-hand shift stalk may have an improper wire harness terminal crimp within the wire harness connector
- As of 03/25/2025, this campaign has resumed
Compare the 2021 Peterbilt 548
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Questions about the 2021 Peterbilt 548
Is the 2021 Peterbilt 548 reliable?
Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2021 Peterbilt 548.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Peterbilt 548?
There are not enough complaints to tell.
How many recalls does the 2021 Peterbilt 548 have?
5 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic, power train and service brakes, air.
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