Recall 20V506 affects 1,097 2020-2021 Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks with short lift-axle pivot bolts. Repair is free at a franchised Peterbilt or Kenworth dealer.
Peterbilt is recalling 1,097 2020-2021 trucks, including 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, and 567 models, under recall 20V506 because the lower rear pivot bolts on the Watson and Chalin steerable lift axle are too short to fully engage their locknuts. The hardware can separate from the suspension, become a road hazard, and increase the risk of a crash, so Peterbilt dealers will replace the bolts free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The steerable lift axle on these Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks is an extra axle that can be raised off the road when the truck is running light and lowered when it needs to carry a heavy load. The lower rear pivot bolt is one of the fasteners that holds the axle assembly to the suspension, letting the axle pivot as it lifts and lowers. The nut threaded onto that bolt has a locking feature that keeps the joint tight under road vibration.
On affected trucks, the lower rear pivot bolt is about an eighth of an inch shorter than earlier production runs. The bolt is still within its written spec, but it does not stick out far enough past the nut to fully engage the locking threads. Over time and vibration, the nut can back off, the bolt can loosen, and in some cases it can fall out entirely.
Before a bolt fractures or falls out, drivers often notice the lift axle failing to raise or lower correctly, along with suspension noise, clunking, or vibration from the affected corner.
Who's affected?
Spans 11 Peterbilt and Kenworth heavy-duty truck models across the 2020 and 2021 model years, all built with the same 20K Tru Track drive-axle kit.
| 2020 Peterbilt 365 | drive axle |
|---|---|
| 2021 Kenworth W900 | drive axle |
| 2020 Peterbilt 567 | drive axle |
| 2020 Peterbilt 367 | drive axle |
| 2020 Kenworth W990 | drive axle |
| 2021 Peterbilt 365 | drive axle |
| 2021 Peterbilt 367 | drive axle |
| 2020 Peterbilt 389 | drive axle |
| 2020 Kenworth T800 | drive axle |
| 2020 Kenworth T880 | drive axle |
| 2020 Kenworth W900 | drive axle |
| 2020 Peterbilt 520 | drive axle |
| 2020 Peterbilt 348 | drive axle |
| 2021 Kenworth T880 | drive axle |
| 2021 Kenworth W990 | drive axle |
| 2021 Peterbilt 567 | drive axle |
| 2021 Peterbilt 520 | drive axle |
| 2021 Peterbilt 348 | drive axle |
| 2021 Peterbilt 389 | drive axle |
| 2021 Kenworth T800B | drive axle |
| Units affected | 1,097 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 5 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
Short screws can let suspension hardware separate from the truck and fall into traffic as road hazards, raising the risk of a crash or injury. Watch for suspension that fails to lift or lower properly, unusual noise, or vibration, and stop driving if those signs appear. Repair is free at any franchised Peterbilt dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2021 Peterbilt or Kenworth truck is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Peterbilt or Kenworth dealer to schedule the inspection and free replacement of the lower rear pivot bolts on the steerable lift axle.
- Reference recall number 20V506 (PACCAR numbers 20PBE for Peterbilt and 20KWC for Kenworth) when you call so the service desk pulls the correct repair instructions.
- Call Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220 with questions about parts availability or scheduling.
- Inspect the suspension area before each trip until the repair is complete, and watch for loose or missing hardware near the lift axle so a separated bolt does not become a road hazard for following traffic.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Peterbilt or Kenworth technician inspects the lower rear pivot bolts on the Watson and Chalin steerable lift axle suspension and replaces any bolts that are too short to fully engage the locking feature of the nut. Parts and labor are free under the recall. If you have already paid out of pocket for a related pivot bolt repair, PACCAR's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring your receipts to the service desk, or contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220 to ask how to submit documentation.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 26, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 29, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 24, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| October 24, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 24, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| October 24, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V506?
Recall 20V506 covers 1,097 2020-2021 Peterbilt and Kenworth heavy-duty trucks equipped with Watson and Chalin SL2065 steerable lift axle suspensions. The lower rear pivot bolts are too short to fully engage the locking feature of the corresponding nuts, which can let hardware separate from the suspension and fall onto the road as a hazard.
What should I do if my 2020-2021 Peterbilt or Kenworth truck is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 20V506. If it is, contact a franchised Peterbilt or Kenworth dealer to schedule inspection of the steerable lift axle pivot bolts. Reference recall number 20V506 when you call. The dealer inspection and any pivot-bolt replacement are free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. PACCAR's Peterbilt and Kenworth dealers will inspect the Watson and Chalin lift axle and replace the pivot bolts as needed, free of charge, regardless of where the truck was originally purchased or how many owners it has had.
What is the safety risk if my truck is included?
Loose or undersized pivot bolts can separate from the steerable lift axle suspension and fall onto the road, creating a hazard for the truck and surrounding traffic. PACCAR's filing cites an increased risk of a crash or injury. Schedule the dealer inspection promptly so the bolts are checked and replaced before they work loose.
What if I bought my Peterbilt or Kenworth truck used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. If PACCAR never mailed you a notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included in recall 20V506, then reference that campaign number when you call a franchised Peterbilt or Kenworth dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V506000 |
|---|---|
| Peterbilt customer service | 1-425-828-5888 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V506 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V506000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →