2008 Peterbilt 320 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Problem: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 1990-2020 Peterbilt 320 and 520 vehicles built with specific amber rear turn signals. The turn signals may also light up with the stop/tail lights when the brakes are applied. 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: Rear Turn signals that illuminate at the same time as the brake lights may create confusion and impair the effectiveness of the brake lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: PACCAR will notify owners, and for trucks with rear amber lights, dealers will add a jumper harness between the chassis electrical harness and amber tail lights, free of charge. The recall began August 1, 2019. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 19PBC.

Problem: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2010-2016 Kenworth T440, T800, and W900 trucks manufactured August 31, 2009, to April 20, 2015, and 2008-2015 Peterbilt 320, 337, 348, 365, 382, and 384 trucks manufactured July 27, 2007, to April 28, 2015, and equipped with certain Cummins Westport ISL G engines. Excessive engine crankcase pressures may cause the 90-degree elbow of the vent tube assembly to detach from the crankcase ventilation breather, possibly allowing engine oil to come into contact with hot surfaces.

Risk: If engine oil comes into contact with a hot surface, there is an increased risk of a fire.

Fix: Cummins will notify owners on behalf of PACCAR, and Cummins service centers will administer the repairs which include securing the ends of the 90-degree elbow and reprogramming the electronic control module (ECM) with software that can adjust the engine output under misfire conditions to limit crankcase pressures. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2015. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000, Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000 or Cummins Inc. at 1-800-343-7357. PACCAR's number for this recall is 15KWH and 515-G.

Problem: Paccar is recalling 60 my 2008-2009 320 trucks equipped with caterpillar c13 diesel engines. The extension pipes attached to the aftertreatment regeneration device (ard) may develop a hole, and heat and flame may escape during a regeneration of the diesel particulate filter.

Risk: This may result in a fire hazard.

Fix: Paccar is working with caterpillar to repair this vehicle (please see 08e054). Owners may contact caterpillar at 1-800-447-4986 or peterbilt at 940-591-4196.

Problem: Certain trucks equipped with eaton synflex eclipse brand extruded nylon air brake hose tubing fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 106, "brake hoses." the tubing was manufactured with only four layers of nylon material, instead of the specified five layers.

Risk: The diameter of the hose affects the fittings which may allow air to leak from the brakes and create the potential for a vehicle crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the air brake hoses and, if necessary, replace the hoses. The recall began on february 22, 2008. Owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.

Problem: On certain kenworth and peterbilt heavy duty trucks equipped with tas-85 trw steering gears, the inner surface of the outer sector shaft teeth of the steering gears may have an incorrect involute profile, which may lead to chipping and damage of the gearing system.

Risk: This type of damage may cause a "bind/stick" condition in the vehicle steering during a turn increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will repair and replace any suspect tas-85 steering gear assembly free of charge. The recall began on january 9, 2008. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 940-591-4201.

Problem: On certain trucks built with cummins ism c876 engines, the electronic control module fails to recognize inputs of the vehicle electronic control unit or from a driver actuated dash switch thereby increasing the risk of unintended (or unexpected) elevated exhaust temperatures.

Risk: While this condition does not involve a risk of fire in the vehicle itself, it could present a fire hazard in a situation where the vehicle's exhaust is in close proximity to materials or substances that can melt, burn, or explode.

Fix: Cummins, in conjunction with paccar, will conduct the remedy campaign. Cummis will install new ecm software. Owners can contact cummins at 1-800-343-7357, peterbilt at 940-591-4201 or kenworth at 425-828-5440.

Problem: Certain trucks equipped with bendix sr-7 spring brake modulating valves. The internal rubber check valve may leak causing a delay in the application of the spring brakes to park the vehicle after the operator pulls the dash valve button.

Risk: This could delay or failure in applying the parking brakes potentially resulting in a vehicle roll away.

Fix: Dealers will install a check valve repair kit for the affected sr-7 spring brake modulating valve free of charge. The recall began on august 22, 2007. Owners may contact peterbilt at 940-591-4201.

Problem: On certain trucks, the axle housings may have been manufactured with steel that was out of specification which could result in a fatigue failure over time.

Risk: If a fatigue failure occurs and is left unattended, the axle may lock up or the end of the axle could come off, which may result in a vehicle crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the axles free of charge. The recall began on may 9, 2007. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.