Recall 19V733 affects 248 2020 Peterbilt 579 trucks for incorrectly placed conspicuity tape. Repair is free at any franchised Peterbilt dealer.
Peterbilt is recalling 248 2020 579 trucks equipped with sleeper boxes because conspicuity tape was installed in the wrong location. The misplaced tape makes the truck less visible to other drivers and increases 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 conspicuity tape on a 2020 Peterbilt 579 sleeper truck is reflective tape placed on the rear of the sleeper box. Its job is to outline the back of the truck so drivers approaching from behind can see the truck's width and shape in low light. FMVSS 108 sets where that reflective material belongs.
On affected trucks, the tape was installed too far inboard, toward the vertical center line of the sleeper back wall. It was supposed to sit near the upper right and left contours, close to the top and as far apart as practicable. The problem came from an incorrect bill of materials change that pointed the plant to the wrong installation drawing.
There is no warning sign before failure. The tape is visible from outside the truck, but the safety issue is its placement, not a symptom you would feel while driving.
Who's affected?
| 2020 Peterbilt 579 | visibility component |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 248 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Reduced visibility makes the truck harder for other drivers to see and increases the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule the repair soon and drive cautiously until the added conspicuity tape is installed. Repair is free at any franchised Peterbilt dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020 Peterbilt 579 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Peterbilt dealer to schedule the free conspicuity-tape repair that places the sleeper-box tape in the correct location.
- Bring the recall notice if Peterbilt mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V733 when you call.
- Drive with extra following distance until the repair is complete, since reduced visibility increases crash risk.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Peterbilt technician adds the required conspicuity tape to the back of the sleeper and places it in the correct location so the truck meets the visibility requirement. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. If you already paid out of pocket for the same conspicuity tape correction, ask the Peterbilt service desk or PACCAR customer service about the general reimbursement plan on file and bring repair documentation.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 15, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 4, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 13, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| December 13, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 13, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 13, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V733?
Recall 19V733 covers 248 2020 Peterbilt 579 vehicles with a sleeper box. The conspicuity tape was installed in the wrong location, reducing the vehicle's visibility to other drivers and increasing crash risk. Peterbilt dealers add tape in the correct location for free.
What should I do if my 2020 Peterbilt 579 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 19V733. If it is, contact a franchised Peterbilt dealer to schedule the conspicuity tape repair. Reference recall number 19V733 or Peterbilt recall number 19PBE when you call.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair a safety recall at no cost. Peterbilt dealers will install additional conspicuity tape on the back of the sleeper in the correct location free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced visibility to other drivers. On affected 2020 Peterbilt 579 sleeper vehicles, incorrectly placed conspicuity tape makes the vehicle less visible on the road, increasing crash risk. The dealer repair adds the correct tape placement for free.
When did the Peterbilt 579 recall repair begin?
The recall repair began November 4, 2019. Because the remedy is available, owners with an included VIN can contact a franchised Peterbilt dealer for the free conspicuity tape repair. Peterbilt customer service is also listed at 1-940-591-4220.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V733000 |
|---|---|
| Peterbilt customer service | 1-940-591-4220 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V733 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V733000 |
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 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →