PACCAR Recalls 5,919 Kenworth and Peterbilt Trucks Over Power-Loss Risk
PACCAR is recalling 5,919 model-year 2027 Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks because oil contamination inside the power distribution center (PDC) can interrupt engine power, antilock brakes, exterior lighting, windshield wipers, or the defroster. The company reported the defect to NHTSA on July 27 under campaign 26V485 (PACCAR reference 26PACD), and owner notification letters are scheduled for September 25. For fleets and shops running new Kenworth or Peterbilt units, the practical move is to check VINs with a dealer now rather than wait for the mail.
What Happened
The recall covers 12 models built between June 9 and July 13, 2026. According to the Part 573 report PACCAR filed with NHTSA, a damaged air-compressor filter at supplier PKC Group North America in Farmington Hills, Michigan, let oil leak into the soldering process for printed circuit boards used in the PDC. The contamination can compromise electrical connections inside PDC part numbers P27-1297-0101 and P27-1298-0101. PACCAR estimates 0.3% of the recalled population actually contains the defect, and reported no related warranty claims, field reports, injuries, or deaths as of July 27.
| Make and Model | Potentially Involved | Production Window |
|---|---|---|
| Kenworth T680 | 1,451 | June 9 - July 13, 2026 |
| Kenworth T880 | 1,221 | June 9 - July 13, 2026 |
| Peterbilt 567 | 1,123 | June 9 - July 13, 2026 |
| Peterbilt 579 | 989 | June 9 - July 13, 2026 |
| Peterbilt 589 | 524 | June 9 - July 13, 2026 |
| Peterbilt 548 | 109 | June 23 - July 13, 2026 |
| Kenworth W990 | 105 | June 9 - July 13, 2026 |
| Kenworth T280 | 87 | June 22 - July 13, 2026 |
| Kenworth T380 | 82 | June 22 - July 13, 2026 |
| Kenworth T480 | 81 | June 22 - July 13, 2026 |
| Peterbilt 537 | 76 | June 23 - July 13, 2026 |
| Peterbilt 536 | 71 | June 23 - July 13, 2026 |
| Total recall population | 5,919 | Model year 2027 |
PACCAR opened its investigation on July 13 and held suspect trucks at its plants the following day. Vehicles still at the plants were inspected and repaired before release, with July 14 marked as the clean point for production controls. This campaign covers the trucks that had already shipped.
Why an Electrical Box Recall Punches Above Its Weight
The PDC routes electrical power through the cab, so one contaminated box does not produce one predictable failure. It can cut propulsion, ABS, lights, wipers, or defogging, and only the ABS failure mode triggers a dashboard warning lamp. A driver could lose weather-visibility equipment in bad conditions with no alert first. The filing also confirms noncompliance with three federal safety standards: FMVSS 103 (defrosting and defogging), FMVSS 104 (wiping and washing), and FMVSS 108 (lamps and related equipment), which makes the affected trucks illegal to sell until remedied.
What It Means for Fleets and the Aftermarket
- Check VINs now, not in September. PACCAR left the VIN-searchable date blank on its filing, so the NHTSA lookup may lag behind the announcement. A dealer can already check the PDC serial number against the supplier's suspect list.
- No warning light means nothing. Only an ABS fault is expected to light a lamp. Drivers should report any unexpected power, lighting, wiper, defrost, or ABS behavior immediately.
- The repair is free, the downtime is not. Dealers will replace a matched box at no charge, and PACCAR's standard reimbursement plan covers owners who already paid. Expect dealer service bays to fill after the September 25 letters land, so book early.
- Model-level totals do not clear individual trucks. The population was defined by production timing and PDC part numbers. Even a 71-unit model can still contain a contaminated box.
Recall work puts trucks in the bay, and bay time is when good shops catch everything else. If a customer brings in a 2027 Kenworth or Peterbilt for the PDC inspection, the powertrain deserves a look while the truck is down. We stock brand-new, OEM-spec replacement turbochargers for PACCAR MX-13 turbo applications and every other major North American diesel platform in our diesel engine parts catalog, shipped from US inventory with a one-year unlimited mileage warranty. Send us the part number from the nameplate or the engine serial number, and we will confirm exact fitment before you order.
Sources
- Tank Transport, "PACCAR Recalls 5,919 Kenworth and Peterbilt Trucks Over Power-Loss Risk," August 7, 2026
- FreightWaves, "PACCAR recalls 5,919 trucks over electrical defect," August 6, 2026
- Sam & Ash Injury Law, "Weekly Automobile Safety Recalls, Week of August 3, 2026" (citing the official NHTSA detailed recall summary), August 3, 2026
