2023-2026 Kenworth T180-T480 Recall 25V041: Light Switch

Recall 25V041 covers 5,378 2023-2026 Kenworth trucks for exterior lighting switch failure that disables hazards. Repair is free at any franchised Kenworth dealer.

What's wrong?

The exterior lighting switch control on affected 2023-2026 Kenworth trucks is the electronic control path for the exterior lighting switch, hazard lights, and instrument display backlight brightness adjustment. It works with the vehicle electronic control unit, or VECU, so the driver's switch commands reach the lighting and display systems.

The problem starts during certain engine starts. If voltage to the VECU lighting-switch circuit drops below 10V long enough, the exterior lighting switch control does not power on correctly. The truck then goes into a fail-functional lighting mode that keeps the exterior lights on, but the hazard lights and backlight brightness adjustment do not respond. Cycling the key restores vehicle response.

There is no warning sign before failure. The issue shows up when the exterior lighting switch control does not respond after startup, especially if the hazards or display backlight adjustment do not work.

Who's affected?

Covers Kenworth and Peterbilt truck models across the 2023-2026 model years, all tied to the same exterior lighting switch control.

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?

Inoperative hazard lights fail to warn other drivers as intended. If the instrument panel brightness cannot be adjusted, critical safety information can be harder to see or the display can distract the driver. If the switch stops responding, a key cycle can temporarily reset it. Repair is free at any franchised Kenworth dealer.

What should I do?

1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2023-2026 Kenworth T380, T480, 536, 537, 548, T280, 535, 567, or T180 truck is included in this recall.
2. Contact a franchised Kenworth dealer to schedule the free VECU software update that fixes the exterior-lighting switch failure affecting hazard lights and instrument-panel brightness.
3. Bring the recall notice if Kenworth mailed one. If not, reference recall number 25V041 when you call.
4. Use a key cycle to temporarily reset a non-responsive exterior lighting switch before the dealer repair.
5. Drive with extra caution until the software update is complete, since inoperative hazard lights and hard-to-see instrument information increase crash risk.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Kenworth technician updates the vehicle cab controller unit software so the exterior lighting switch, hazard lights, and instrument display back-light brightness adjustment respond as required. The software update and labor are free under the recall. If the switch becomes non-responsive before the appointment, the source remedy says a key cycle can temporarily reset it. If you already paid out of pocket for this recall repair, Kenworth's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring repair paperwork to the service desk when you arrive.

Timeline

Frequently asked questions

More information

Source documents

• Download Quarterly Report (PDF) · RCLQRT
• Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) · RCONL
• Download Owner Notice (PDF) · RCMN
• Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) · RCSB
• Download Recall Report (PDF) · RCLRPT
• Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF) · RCAK

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →