Recall 20V130 affects 35,671 2015-2020 Peterbilt 365, 389, 567, and 579 trucks for battery jumper cable chafing. Repair is free at any franchised Peterbilt dealer.
Peterbilt is recalling 35,671 2015-2020 Peterbilt 365, 389, 567, and 579 trucks equipped with a left-hand under hood jumper terminal under recall 20V130. The positive battery jumper terminal cable can chafe against the left front suspension spring, create an electrical short circuit, and increase the risk of a fire; Peterbilt dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The left-hand under-hood jumper terminal on affected 2015-2020 Peterbilt 365, 389, 567, and 579 trucks is a battery connection point mounted near the left side of the truck. It gives technicians or operators a place to connect jump-start equipment without reaching the batteries directly. The positive jumper cable carries battery power from that terminal, so it must stay routed away from moving or rubbing parts.
On these trucks, the positive battery jumper cable was built too long in some applications. Extra cable length lets it contact the left front suspension spring. As the truck moves, the spring and cable can rub together until the cable insulation wears through. Once bare cable is exposed, the cable can short to nearby metal and create heat near the jumper terminal.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver is not given a dashboard message or other clear advance notice before the cable chafes through.
Who's affected?
Covers four Peterbilt truck models across the 2015-2020 model years, all tied to the same battery cable component.
| 2018 Peterbilt 579 | battery |
|---|---|
| 2015 Peterbilt 365 | battery |
| 2020 Peterbilt 365 | battery |
| 2019 Peterbilt 365 | battery |
| 2017 Peterbilt 365 | battery |
| 2018 Peterbilt 389 | battery |
| 2015 Peterbilt 389 | battery |
| 2020 Peterbilt 567 | battery |
| 2016 Peterbilt 365 | battery |
| 2019 Peterbilt 567 | battery |
| 2017 Peterbilt 567 | battery |
| 2017 Peterbilt 579 | battery |
| 2020 Peterbilt 579 | battery |
| 2015 Peterbilt 567 | battery |
| 2016 Peterbilt 567 | battery |
| 2018 Peterbilt 567 | battery |
| 2016 Peterbilt 389 | battery |
| 2015 Peterbilt 579 | battery |
| 2019 Peterbilt 389 | battery |
| 2020 Peterbilt 389 | battery |
| 2018 Peterbilt 365 | battery |
| 2017 Peterbilt 389 | battery |
| 2016 Peterbilt 579 | battery |
| 2019 Peterbilt 579 | battery |
| Units affected | 35,671 |
| 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 your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
An electrical short circuit can raise the risk of a fire. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall inspection soon and have the battery jumper terminal cables replaced if needed. Repair is free at any franchised Peterbilt dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2020 Peterbilt 579, 365, 389, or 567 is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Peterbilt dealer to schedule the free battery jumper terminal cable inspection and repair.
- Ask the dealer to inspect the left-hand under-hood jumper terminal cable and replace it if it is too long or chafing against the left front suspension spring.
- Bring the recall notice if Peterbilt mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V130 when you call.
- Avoid unnecessary driving until the dealer inspects the cable; an electrical short can increase fire risk.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Peterbilt technician inspects the battery jumper terminal cables for the left side under hood jumper terminal. If a cable is the wrong length, damaged from chafing, or positioned where it contacts the left front suspension spring, the dealer replaces it. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. PACCAR's general reimbursement plan is on file for eligible documented costs already paid before the recall work. Bring repair invoices or payment records to the service desk and ask how to submit them under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 4, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 30, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| May 1, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| May 1, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V130?
Recall 20V130 covers 35,671 2015-2020 Peterbilt 579, 365, 389, and 567 vehicles equipped with a left-hand under hood jumper terminal, option code 2539410. The positive battery jumper terminal cable can chafe against the left front suspension spring and create an electrical short circuit.
What should I do if my 2015-2020 Peterbilt 579, 365, 389, or 567 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 20V130. If it is, contact a franchised Peterbilt dealer to schedule the battery jumper terminal cable inspection. The dealer will replace the cables as needed for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Peterbilt dealers will inspect the battery jumper terminal cables and replace them as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 20V130?
The safety risk is fire from an electrical short circuit. In affected vehicles, the positive battery jumper terminal cable can rub against the left front suspension spring. If the cable insulation is damaged, the resulting short circuit can increase fire risk.
What if I bought my Peterbilt truck used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your truck is included, then reference recall 20V130 or Peterbilt recall number 20PBA when you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V130000 |
|---|---|
| Peterbilt customer service | 1-940-591-4220 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V130 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V130000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall 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 →