Recall 12V490 covers 432 2012-2013 Peterbilt 210, K370, K270, and 220 vehicles with noncompliant exterior lighting. Repair is free at any franchised Peterbilt dealer.
Peterbilt recall 12V490 covers 432 2012-2013 210, K370, K270, and 220 trucks because the fog lamps can stay on with the high beams, and the daytime running lights do not switch off when headlights are on. That lighting combination can be too bright for oncoming traffic, distract drivers, and raise crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The exterior lighting system on the 2012-2013 Peterbilt 210, 220, K270, and K370 trucks controls the headlamps, fog lamps, and daytime running lights. The headlamps provide low beam and high beam lighting, the fog lamps add low mounted light in poor visibility, and the daytime running lights make the truck more visible during daytime operation.
On affected trucks, the lighting controls do not shut lights off in the required combinations. The fog lamps stay illuminated while the high beam headlights are on. The daytime running lights also stay active after the headlight control is switched on, instead of turning off as required. That means the truck's exterior lighting does not match the intended federal lighting behavior.
An owner can notice this by checking the lights from outside the truck while another person operates the controls. The fog lamps stay on with the high beams, or the daytime running lights stay on after the headlights are switched on. There is no warning sign before failure.
Who's affected?
Covers 4 medium-duty truck models from the 2012 and 2013 model years, all tied to exterior lighting.
| 2013 Peterbilt 210 | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| 2012 Peterbilt 210 | Exterior lighting |
| 2013 Kenworth K370 | Exterior lighting |
| 2012 Kenworth K270 | Exterior lighting |
| 2013 Peterbilt 220 | Exterior lighting |
| 2012 Peterbilt 220 | Exterior lighting |
| 2013 Kenworth K270 | Exterior lighting |
| 2012 Kenworth K370 | Exterior lighting |
| Units affected | 432 |
A matching year, make, and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
When fog lights, daytime running lights, and headlights are used together, the vehicle can be too bright for oncoming traffic. That glare can distract other drivers and increase the risk of a crash. Schedule the wiring-harness repair with the dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Peterbilt dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2013 Peterbilt 210, K370, K270, or 220 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Peterbilt dealer and ask whether the free wiring-harness repair is open for your VIN.
- Schedule the wiring-harness change that corrects the fog lamp and daytime running light control problem.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 12V490 when you call.
- Avoid using fog lamps with high beam headlights until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Peterbilt technician changes the wiring harness so the exterior lighting operates as required, including fog lamps, high beams, daytime running lights, and the headlight control. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. The remedy status is not listed as available in this section, so confirm the repair path before scheduling. Once the dealer repair is open for your VIN, the work is free.
Timeline
| October 9, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 26, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V490?
Recall 12V490 covers 432 2012-2013 Peterbilt 210, 220, K270, and K370 vehicles with exterior lighting that does not meet FMVSS 108. The fog lamps can stay on with the high beams, and daytime running lights can stay on when the headlights are switched on.
What should I do if my 2012-2013 Peterbilt 210, 220, K270, or K370 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 12V490. If it is, contact a franchised Peterbilt dealer and ask for the wiring harness change. Reference recall number 12V490 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy says dealers will change the wiring harness free of charge. A franchised Peterbilt dealer handles the covered repair.
What is the safety risk?
The lighting issue can make the vehicle too bright for oncoming traffic. Fog lamps, daytime running lights, and headlights can stay illuminated in combinations that distract other drivers and increase crash risk. The repair corrects the wiring so the lights operate as required.
When did the 12V490 recall repair start?
The recall repair began on November 16, 2012. If your VIN is included and the repair was never completed, contact a franchised Peterbilt dealer to schedule the wiring harness change. The recall remains tied to the vehicle, including used vehicles.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V490000 |
|---|---|
| Peterbilt customer service | 1-425-828-5000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V490 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V490000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →