PACCAR Recalls Vehicles for ABS and ESC Faults

PACCAR Incorporated has issued a recall for over 220,000 vehicles due to potential issues with Bendix EC80 Advanced Electronic Control Units (ECUs). The fault may impact critical safety systems such as ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and other related functions, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.

Key Highlights:

Vehicles Affected: 2021-2025 Kenworth and Peterbilt models equipped with Bendix EC80 ECUs.
Defect: Electrical noise and low signal strength may cause the ECU to malfunction or stop functioning, leading to the failure of ABS, ESC, and other systems.
Number of Units: Approximately 220,972 vehicles are included in the recall.
Repair Solution: Dealers will reprogram the ECU software free of charge.
Notification Timeline: Owner notification letters will be mailed starting February 7, 2025.

Detailed Recall Information

The defect arises from electrical interference and reduced signal strength in the power line carrier (PLC) system, which is used for communication between the towing vehicle and trailer. This issue can cause the ECU to process commands incorrectly, potentially leading to system failures in ABS, Automatic Traction Control (ATC), and other interconnected systems such as Collision Mitigation Systems (CMS) and Active Cruise Control (ACC).

The affected vehicles span a variety of Kenworth and Peterbilt models, including but not limited to:

Kenworth Models: T280, T380, T480, C500B, T370, T4 Series, T680, T800B, T880, W900B, W990.
Peterbilt Models: 337, 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, 536, 537, 548, 567, 579, 589.

The issue is particularly prevalent in vehicles towing multiple trailers, where electrical interference is more likely to occur.

Manufacturer’s Remedy

PACCAR has collaborated with Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems to reprogram affected ECUs with updated software that eliminates the defect. Dealers will handle the reprogramming at no cost to owners.

How to Seek Assistance

Owners can contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220.
Additional inquiries can be directed to the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or by visiting nhtsa.gov.

Notification and Next Steps

PACCAR plans to notify both customers and dealers of the recall beginning February 7, 2025. Owners are encouraged to ensure their contact information is up-to-date with their vehicle manufacturer to receive timely updates.

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