PACCAR is recalling 5,919 model year 2027 Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks due to a potential defect in the power distribution center (PDC), the unit responsible for routing electrical power through the cab. Oil contamination inside the PDC could cause the box to fail, putting drivers at risk of losing engine power, antilock brakes, exterior lights, windshield wipers, or the defroster. The defect is especially significant for Class 8 trucks that operate at highway speeds and in adverse weather, where the simultaneous loss of lighting, wipers, defrosters, or braking assistance could create hazardous conditions for the driver and surrounding traffic.

The company reported the issue to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on July 27. NHTSA has assigned the campaign number 26V485, while PACCAR refers to it internally as recall 26PACD.

Failure Modes and Driver Warnings

Of the five systems that could be affected by a PDC failure, only one provides a dashboard warning to the driver.

“ABS malfunction warning lamp. No warning is provided for the other failure modes,” PACCAR told regulators in its filing. A driver could lose exterior lighting or windshield wipers with no prior indication on the instrument panel.

Which Trucks Are Covered

All 12 affected models are from the 2027 model year. Tractors and the Peterbilt 567 were built between June 9 and July 13. All other models were built between June 22 or June 23 and July 13.

The affected trucks and their quantities are:

• Kenworth T680: 1,451
• Kenworth T880: 1,221
• Peterbilt 567: 1,123
• Peterbilt 579: 989
• Peterbilt 589: 524
• Peterbilt 548: 109
• Kenworth W990: 105
• Kenworth T280: 87
• Kenworth T380: 82
• Kenworth T480: 81
• Peterbilt 537: 76
• Peterbilt 536: 71

Root Cause at the Supplier

PACCAR traced the problem to a damaged air compressor filter at the component supplier, PKC Group North America of Farmington Hills, Michigan.

“A damaged air compressor filter caused an oil leak into the soldering process of the printed circuit boards,” PACCAR stated in its regulatory filing.

PACCAR launched an investigation on July 13 and placed a hold on suspect trucks the following day. Trucks remaining at the manufacturing plants were inspected on-site. This recall applies to vehicles that had already shipped before the hold was enacted.

The company estimates that approximately 0.3% of the recalled trucks actually contain the defect. Individual affected units cannot be identified without a dealer reading the serial number on the PDC.

As of July 27, PACCAR reported no warranty claims, no field reports, and no injuries related to the defect.

What Owners Should Do

PACCAR plans to notify dealers and vehicle owners beginning September 25. The first letter will explain the safety risk, and a second notification will follow once a repair solution is available.

The remedy will be performed free of charge. Dealers will check each truck's PDC serial number against a list provided by the supplier, replacing the unit if a match is found.

PACCAR has not yet indicated when the recall will become searchable by VIN through NHTSA's database. Until then, owners should contact their dealer directly.

Owners who have already paid for repairs related to this defect out of pocket may seek reimbursement under PACCAR's standard reimbursement plan.

Contact information:

• Peterbilt owners: 940-591-4220
• Kenworth owners: 425-828-5888
• NHTSA hotline: 888-327-4236

Owners should reference recall number 26PACD when calling.

Federal Compliance Implications

The oil contamination issue places the affected trucks in noncompliance with three Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards covering defrosters, windshield wipers, and lighting systems. The affected standards — FMVSS Nos. 103, 104, and 108 — establish minimum performance requirements for defrosting/defogging systems, windshield wiping/washing systems, and lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment, respectively.

NHTSA informed PACCAR that it is “illegal for anyone,” including dealers, “to sell an item of equipment or vehicle that fails to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.”