Paccar recalls 221K trucks with Bendix ECUs
A certified pre-owned 2023 Kenworth T680 at the Mid-America Trucking Show in 2024. Directors for the brand's parent company, Paccar, agreed to add two new seats to the board, expanding it to 14 people. · Trucking Dive · David Taube/Trucking Dive

In This Article:

This story was originally published on Trucking Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Trucking Dive newsletter.

Paccar is recalling various 2021-2025 Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks due to faulty Bendix EC80 advanced electronic control units (ECU), according to a recall notice last week.

The ECU, which influences safety systems such as automatic traction control and anti-lock braking and collision mitigation systems, is in need of software updates. Roughly 221,000 vehicles across 23 models from Paccar are affected, widening a recall by multiple OEMs connected to the supplier.

The recall involves electrical noise interfering with the EC80 power line carrier communication system, which also might have low signal strength, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report. The interference could lead the ECU to “incorrectly process commands or stop functioning,” a Dec. 11 NHTSA letter said.

Paccar recall affects about 221K trucks

Make

Model

Year

Kenworth

T380, T680, T800B, T880, W900B, W990

2021-2025

Kenworth

C500B

2024-2025

Kenworth

T280

2023-2025

Kenworth

T370

2022-2023

Kenworth

T440

2021-2023

Kenworth

T480

2022-2025

Peterbilt

337, 348

2021-2023

Peterbilt

365, 367, 520

2022-2025

Peterbilt

389, 548, 567, 579

2021-2025

Peterbilt

536, 589

2024-2025

Peterbilt

537

2023-2025

SOURCE: NHTSA recall notice

The OEM estimates that the issue affects about 1% of the recalled vehicles.

Owners are slated to be notified of the recall process in early February. Dealers will reprogram the affected vehicles free of charge.

The Paccar recall adds to a widespread Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems recall also involving International Motors, Mack Trucks and Volvo Trucks North America.

Bendix has estimated its recall affects over 744,000 units.

Recommended Reading