Recall 19V282 covers 5,051 2017-2020 Peterbilt 520 vehicles for undersized PDC power wires. Repair will be free at any franchised Peterbilt dealer once available.
Peterbilt is recalling 5,051 2017-2020 520 trucks because undersized wires in the connector between the cab power harness and power distribution center harness can overheat and melt. An unexpected engine shutdown can increase the risk of a crash, and the Peterbilt dealer repair will be free once the remedy is available.
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What's wrong?
The affected Peterbilt 520 trucks use a cab power harness and a power distribution center harness to carry electrical power between the cab and the truck's main electrical distribution point. The connector between those harnesses is the junction where current passes through before it feeds key cab and engine circuits.
On 2017-2020 trucks in this recall, wires in the Model 520 PDC harness and the matching power jumper are too small for the current they carry. That extra load creates heat at the connector. Overheating can melt the connector housing, break the electrical connection, and shut down the engine.
There is no warning sign before failure. The connector can overheat inside the harness connection before the driver sees a clear symptom, so an owner can go from normal operation to a sudden loss of electrical power if the connector melts.
Who's affected?
Covers each model year in the 2017-2020 range, with engine and electrical system components listed for every year.
| 2020 Peterbilt 520 | Engine |
|---|---|
| 2020 Peterbilt 520 | electrical system |
| 2019 Peterbilt 520 | Engine |
| 2019 Peterbilt 520 | electrical system |
| 2017 Peterbilt 520 | Engine |
| 2017 Peterbilt 520 | electrical system |
| 2018 Peterbilt 520 | Engine |
| 2018 Peterbilt 520 | electrical system |
| Units affected | 5,051 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the recall, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
An unexpected engine shutdown while driving raises crash risk because power loss leaves the driver managing a disabled truck in traffic. If the engine stalls or electrical power drops out, pull over when safe and contact a Peterbilt dealer before returning to service. Repair will be free at any franchised Peterbilt dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2020 Peterbilt 520 is included in this recall.
- Wait for Peterbilt's owner notice before scheduling the final repair.
- Call Peterbilt customer service at 1-918-259-3258 with questions and reference recall number 19V282 (Peterbilt recall 19PBB).
- Contact a franchised Peterbilt dealer once the repair opens for the free main power wire replacement that fixes the undersized PDC wire overheating risk.
- Avoid routes where an engine shutdown would leave the truck in traffic until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
Once the remedy opens, at the dealer, a Peterbilt technician replaces the main power wire to the power distribution center with the correct size wire. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Because a general reimbursement plan is on file, keep invoices and proof of payment for related wiring or power distribution center repairs already paid yourself. Ask Peterbilt customer service or the dealer service desk how to submit that documentation under the reimbursement plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 9, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 30, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| June 3, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 6, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V282?
Recall 19V282 covers 5,051 2017-2020 Peterbilt 520 trucks with undersized wires in the connector between the cab power harness and the power distribution center harness. The connector can overheat and melt, causing an unexpected engine shutdown and increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2017-2020 Peterbilt 520 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 19V282. If it is, contact a franchised Peterbilt dealer and ask for the main power wire replacement for Peterbilt recall number 19PBB. 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 Peterbilt dealers will replace the main power wire to the power distribution center with the correct-size wire free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an unexpected engine shutdown. The undersized wires in the power connector can overheat and melt, interrupting power and stopping the engine. If that happens while driving, crash risk increases. Confirm your VIN and arrange the free dealer repair.
What if I bought my Peterbilt 520 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2017-2020 Peterbilt 520 is included, then give recall number 19V282 and Peterbilt recall number 19PBB to the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V282000 |
|---|---|
| Peterbilt customer service | 1-918-259-3258 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V282 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V282000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - 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 →