Recall 18V816 covers 1,619 2013-2019 579, T680, and T880 trucks with missing reflex reflectors. Repair is free at any franchised Peterbilt dealer.
Peterbilt recall 18V816 covers 1,619 2013-2019 579, T680, and T880 trucks over 30 feet long with side extender mounted intermediate marker lamp and turn signals that lack required reflex reflectors. Missing reflectors can make the truck less visible to other drivers and increase crash risk; Peterbilt dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The side extender mounted intermediate marker lamp and turn signal is an exterior light on the side of the truck body. On 2013-2019 Peterbilt 579, T680, and T880 trucks over 30 feet long, that location also needs a reflex reflector, which bounces another vehicle's headlights back toward the driver when the truck is parked or crossing in low light.
The problem is that the lamp assembly installed on affected trucks did not include the required reflector material. The light portion still works as a marker lamp and turn signal, but the missing reflector leaves the truck without the passive side reflection required for its length. PACCAR traced the issue to the reflector being omitted in error on trucks with this side extender lamp setup.
There is no warning sign before failure. This is a missing-reflector issue, so the truck does not give a dash light, noise, or handling change before another driver has less reflected side visibility.
Who's affected?
Spans 3 truck lines across the 2013-2019 model years, all tied to exterior lighting.
| 2019 Peterbilt 579 | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| 2015 Peterbilt 579 | Exterior lighting |
| 2014 Kenworth T680 | Exterior lighting |
| 2013 Kenworth T680 | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Peterbilt 579 | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Peterbilt 579 | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Peterbilt 579 | Exterior lighting |
| 2014 Peterbilt 579 | Exterior lighting |
| 2013 Peterbilt 579 | Exterior lighting |
| 2014 Kenworth T880 | Exterior lighting |
| 2013 Kenworth T880 | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 Kenworth T680 | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 Kenworth T880 | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Kenworth T680 | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Kenworth T880 | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Kenworth T680 | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Kenworth T880 | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Kenworth T680 | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Kenworth T880 | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Kenworth T680 | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Kenworth T880 | Exterior lighting |
| Units affected | 1,619 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific truck.
What's the safety risk?
Missing reflex reflectors make the vehicle harder for other drivers to see, increasing the risk of a crash. Keep the vehicle visible, use extra care around traffic, and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Peterbilt dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2019 Peterbilt 579, T680, or T880 is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Peterbilt dealer to schedule the free reflective-tape installation that adds the missing reflex reflectors.
- Bring the recall notice if you have one. Reference recall number 18V816 when you call.
- Avoid nighttime operation until the repair if the truck lacks the required side reflectors.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Peterbilt technician installs reflex reflective tape so the truck has the required side reflex reflectors along with the intermediate side marker lamps and turn signals. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. If you already paid out of pocket for this reflector-related repair before the owner letter, ask the Peterbilt service desk about the manufacturer's general reimbursement plan and bring repair documentation for review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 16, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 15, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 4, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| February 7, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 19, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V816?
Recall 18V816 covers 1,619 2013-2019 Peterbilt 579, T680, and T880 trucks over 30 feet long with certain side extender mounted marker lamp and turn signal assemblies missing reflex reflectors. Missing reflectors can reduce visibility to other drivers and increase crash risk.
What should I do if my 2013-2019 Peterbilt 579, T680, or T880 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 18V816. If it is, contact a franchised Peterbilt dealer to schedule the reflector tape installation. Reference recall number 18V816 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost. For recall 18V816, a franchised Peterbilt dealer installs reflex reflective tape free of charge, including parts and labor.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced visibility to other drivers. The affected trucks are missing required reflex reflectors near the side marker lamp and turn signal area, which can make the truck harder to see and increase crash risk.
What if I bought this truck used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2013-2019 Peterbilt 579, T680, or T880 is included, then call a franchised Peterbilt dealer with recall number 18V816.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V816000 |
|---|---|
| Peterbilt customer service | 1-918-259-3258 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V816 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V816000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →