Recall 19V618 covers 109 2019-2020 Peterbilt 337 and 348 trucks for a steering-column weld defect. Repair will be free once available.
Peterbilt is recalling 109 2019-2020 337 and 348 vehicles because an incorrectly located weld in the steering shaft can crack, letting the lower shaft separate from the mating yoke. If that happens, steering control can be lost and crash risk increases; the Peterbilt dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The steering column on affected 2019-2020 Peterbilt 337 and 348 trucks connects the steering wheel to the steering gear. Inside that column, the lower steering shaft turns with the wheel and transfers that movement through a yoke, the joint that links one shaft section to the next. The weld at that joint is supposed to hold the shaft and yoke together under steering loads.
On these trucks, the weld on the steering shaft was placed in the wrong location. Because of that position, the weld does not bite deeply enough into the yoke. The weld can crack, and if it breaks far enough, the lower shaft can separate from the mating yoke inside the steering column.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or driver should not expect a noise, warning light, or loose-feeling steering wheel before the shaft separates.
Who's affected?
Covers the 337 and 348 across the 2019 and 2020 model years, all tied to the steering column.
| 2019 Peterbilt 348 | steering column |
|---|---|
| 2020 Peterbilt 348 | steering column |
| 2019 Peterbilt 337 | steering column |
| 2020 Peterbilt 337 | steering column |
| Units affected | 109 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific truck.
What's the safety risk?
If the steering column separates from the mating yoke, the driver can lose steering control, increasing crash risk. Drive cautiously until your VIN is confirmed and follow Peterbilt's recall instructions if included. Repair will be free at any franchised Peterbilt dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2020 Peterbilt 337 or 348 is included in this recall.
- Wait for Peterbilt's owner notice before scheduling service, unless a franchised Peterbilt dealer confirms the repair is open for your VIN.
- Contact a franchised Peterbilt dealer about the steering-column inspection and replacement that addresses the steering shaft weld that can crack and let the lower shaft separate.
- Reference recall number 19V618 when you call the dealer or Peterbilt customer service.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. If steering feels loose or abnormal, stop driving and contact the dealer.
What happens at the repair
Peterbilt's filed remedy says a Peterbilt technician will inspect the steering column and replace it if the steering shaft weld issue is present. Because the remedy status is not listed as available here, treat the final dealer repair as free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Peterbilt has a general reimbursement plan on file, so ask the service desk how that plan applies if you already paid for a related steering column repair. Bring repair documentation for review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 22, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 22, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| August 30, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| September 16, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 14, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V618?
Recall 19V618 covers 109 2019-2020 Peterbilt 348 and 337 vehicles with an incorrectly located steering-shaft weld. The weld can crack and let the lower shaft separate from the mating yoke, causing loss of steering control and increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2019-2020 Peterbilt 348 or 337 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V618. If it is, contact a franchised Peterbilt dealer to schedule the steering-column inspection. The dealer will replace the steering column if needed, free of charge. Reference PACCAR recall number 19PBD when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Peterbilt dealers will inspect the steering column and replace it if needed, free of charge, for vehicles included in recall 19V618.
Is it safe to drive my Peterbilt 337 or 348?
The safety risk is loss of steering control if the steering column separates from the mating yoke. The recall does not include a do-not-drive order, but included vehicles need the dealer inspection and any needed steering-column replacement before the defect is considered repaired.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V618000 |
|---|---|
| Peterbilt customer service | 940 591 4220 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V618 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V618000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (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 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →