Insufficient Illumination from Lights/FMVSS 108

Affected vehicles (16)

Component / system

Defect

PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Kenworth T480, T680, T880, W990, Peterbilt 520, 536, 537, 548, 567, 579, 589, 2025 Kenworth T180, Peterbilt 535, 2025-2026 Kenworth T280, T380 and L770 vehicles. The tail brake light, upper and lower beam headlights, reverse light, and turn signal may not illuminate as intended. In addition, the lift axles, if lowered, may revert to a raised position, or oscillate up and down when the signal warning lights are activated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment."

Risk / consequence

Delayed and unsteady headlights can result in insufficient illumination of the road, decreasing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an unexpected position change of the lift axles may increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will update the VCU software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 19, 2025. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 25PACF.

Chronology of events

1. May 2, 2025

   05-02-25: Safety and compliance notified. Investigation opened.

2. May 8, 2025

   05-08-25: Testing at PACCAR Technical Center completed to recreate customer concerns and evaluate more exterior lighting scenarios beyond customer complaints.

3. May 22, 2025

   05-22-25: Safety committee meeting held. Further technical details requested by committee; additional meeting to be held.

4. May 29, 2025

   05-29-25: Safety committee meeting held. Additional technical details requested by committee; additional meeting to be held.

5. Jun 2, 2025

   06-02-25: Testing at PACCAR Technical Center completed to provide additional information on dash display behavior during lighting events.

6. Jun 17, 2025

   06-17-25: Safety committee meeting held. All members present agree that noncompliance and safety related defect exist, and that affected population should be subject to recall. One committee member unable to attend; final decision of committee outstanding until concurrence obtained.

7. Jun 19, 2025

   06-19-25: Concurrence obtained from safety committee in support of recall. As of 06-17-25, PACCAR received 201 warranty claims and 25 reports about 191 trucks in the field that may be related between March 2025 and June 2025. 0 reports of deaths or injuries have been received.

Notification schedule

Dealer notification

Aug 25, 2025 - Aug 25, 2025 No Dealers

Owner notification

Aug 25, 2025 - Aug 25, 2025 Phased Recall