2016 Peterbilt 520
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Peterbilt › 520 › 2016
These records cover every 2016 Peterbilt 520. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
4 recalls name the 2016 Peterbilt 520. Newest first.
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 and remedy
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.
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2015-2021 Peterbilt 320 and 520 vehicles. The steering column support structure may crack or break in certain right-hand, stand-up drive models.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the steering column loosens from the mounting structure, steering control can become affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the 520 models right hand stand-pp steering column structure and replace it if cracks are present, as well as add additional support brackets to the new (if replaced) or existing structure, free of charge. Additionally, for the 520 models, dealers will install a large gusset with triangulating support for the column bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 30, 2021. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 21PBA.
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2016-2020 Peterbilt 320 and 520 vehicles with dual foot valves and a liftable tag or tri-drive rear axles. The rear brake signal hose may be missing a quick release valve, possibly causing a delay in their brake release timing. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor…
Risk and remedy
Risk
A delayed brake release may increase the risk of crash.
Remedy
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will check the vehicles for a quick release valve, installing one as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2020. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 20PBB.
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 1990-2020 Peterbilt 320 and 520 vehicles built with specific amber rear turn signals. The turn signals may also light up with the stop/tail lights when the brakes are applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Rear Turn signals that illuminate at the same time as the brake lights may create confusion and impair the effectiveness of the brake lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
PACCAR will notify owners, and for trucks with rear amber lights, dealers will add a jumper harness between the chassis electrical harness and amber tail lights, free of charge. The recall began August 1, 2019. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 19PBC.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 11010926Info Only Unnecessary starter replacements can result from customer complaints regarding engine starting issues. A new Starter Troubleshooting Guide has been created to provide a comprehensive list of starting system checks, which should reduce unnecessary starter replacements and associated warranty claims. Engine starting system warranty claims now require a completed Starter Checklist, a Battery Pack Midtronics Report, and a Cable Drop Midtronics Report. Claims filed without these documents may be denied.
- 10219235The service information for Bendix Air Dryer maintenance is being updated to include new procedures.
- 10217134Info Only Certain 520 model chassis built between 2014 and 2021, and equipped with the Red Dot HVAC system, may have service port spacing which will not allow the connection of a pressure gauge to both the high and low side service ports simultaneously. A specific tool is available from the supplier that will allow a technician to bypass this design issue.
- 10201965Fix-As-Fail Due to undersupply issues, only a limited supply of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) sensors are available. As a temporary solution, after PACCAR confirms a DEF sensor is not available, a temporary software update will allow a vehicle to continue operation with a failed DEF sensor by disabling the DEF sensor diagnostics.
- 10198760An engine software update is required to resolve OBD system readiness, DEF doser diagnostics, and otherOBD system software related issues.
- 10195272Sample Customer Letter - 215-3 Sleeper Heater Core O-Ring Leaking
- 10191380The current chassis harness connector contains a wire that is no longer necessary with the latest electrical architecture. The presence of the wire could result in a false fault code.
- 10188550Information Only Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate. Washer pumps may fail to spray due to a clogged filter.
- 10177935Fix-As-Fail - Bendix New-Gen Lightweight Steer Axle Drum Brake Spider Cracking
- 10177021Information Only: This bulletin provides dealers with a battery warranty quick reference guide to ensure the appropriate tests for battery warranty are performed in order to prevent battery warranty claims filed with incorrect or incomplete information.
- 10177019Fix as Fail: For all conventional models, except 387/587, equipped with Side-of-Cab (SOC) exhaust and built from 03/6/2006 to 1/20/2020, the clamps that secure the SOC exhaust stacks may not be tightened properly. This may allow the exhaust stack to rotate and contact the cab or sleeper.
- 10176033Information only: Hendrickson Softek front axle maintenance intervals and requirements.
- 10174764Safety Recall Bulletin: Updated with permanent repair path for phase 1 vehicles. The Tractor ABS Lamp May Not Illuminate When ABS Controller Loses Battery and/or Ignition Power. NHTSA recall number is 18V368. Non compliance to FMVSS and CMVSS 121 and 136. Resolution is to Reflash software.
- 10173583DEF tank covers may become loose and potentially crack on vehicles built before October 2019 with DEF tank part number M86-6221-003**(TANK-DEF MEDIUM ASSY) and M86-6222-003**(TANK-DEF LARGE, ASSY). Resolution is to resolve the vibration on the tank cover by adding bottom tank washers.
- 10173212Information Only Vehicles may have the connector seals on the wheel speed sensor incorrectly installed, which may lead to water intrusion and corrosion in some vehicles.
- 10173210Safety Recall: Peterbilt has decided that certain Model 320 and 520 trucks built between 2/20/2015 and 7/16/2019 may have been built without a quick release valve. The absence of this valve could affect rear brake timing on certain vehicles equipped with a tri-drive or liftable tag axle and Dual Seated or Right Hand Stand-Up steering configurations. Resolutoin is to inspect for a quick release valve installed, and if there is not one, to install a quick release valve.
- 10173205Information Only: Proper jump-starting voltage will eliminate high voltage related issues and equipment damage.
- 10172036Information Only: Vehicles may have the connector seal on the wheel speed sensor incorrectly installed, which may lead to sensor corrosion.
- 10169787Information Only - Vehicles built with NAMUX software from 2013 to present may experience accuracy issues with the tachometer. The issue can be temporarily resolved using any one of the included procedures.
- 10168707Information only: Some model 320 and 520 vehicles built before 3/11/2019 may experience loss or loosening of doghouse insulation. Reference the procedure in the attachment section to properly remove and replace the insulation.
- 10168703Information Only: This bulletin provides guidance for repairing an air-conditioning system after internal failure of the A/C compressor.
- 10167116Fix as Fail: Some model 520 right hand stand up vehicles built before 07/16/19 are experiencing washer fluid leakage from the windshield reservoir through the vent line. Resolution is to replace the current washer fluid line with a longer length.
- 10165583Information Only This bulletin provides information about the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Periodic Smoke Inspection Program (PSIP) and Heavy Duty Vehicle Inspection Program (HDVIP).
- 10164378Fix-As-Fail - Composite fittings used in the cooling system may crack, resulting in coolant leaks. Brass fittings are available to replace the composite fittings.
- 10164375Fix-As-Fail: Two separate causes have been identified as root cause of intermittent low coolant indicator illumination.
Every Peterbilt 520 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.