PACCAR Recall: Seat Wiring Could Fail on New Truck Models

PACCAR Recalls 811 Trucks Over Seat Wiring Fire Risk

PACCAR is recalling 811 model-year 2027 Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks because faulty seat wiring can raise the risk of fire. The defect affects wiring inside certain ventilated seats. Drivers may receive no warning before a short circuit occurs.

The recall covers Peterbilt 567, 579, and 589 trucks, along with Kenworth T680, T880, and W990 models. Dealers will replace the affected wiring harnesses at no charge. Owner letters are expected to be mailed October 20, 2026.

PACCAR estimates that all 811 trucks in the recall have the manufacturing defect. However, that does not mean every truck will have a short circuit or fire. As of August 14, the company had received one potentially related field report and no reports of injuries or deaths.

Which Trucks Are Included in the PACCAR Recall?

The recall applies to certain 2027 trucks built from March through July 2026. Exact build dates vary by model. PACCAR’s filing lists the following trucks:

• Kenworth:
  • T680: 248 trucks built March 19 through July 16, 2026.
  • T880: 193 trucks built March 17 through July 14, 2026.
  • W990: 82 trucks built March 18 through July 15, 2026.
• Peterbilt:
  • 567: 51 trucks built March 19 through July 13, 2026.
  • 579: 100 trucks built March 30 through July 13, 2026.
  • 589: 137 trucks built March 19 through July 15, 2026.

These dates do not mean every truck built during those periods remains affected. PACCAR removed trucks repaired at the factory from the recall count. The defect involves certain Gra-Mag GT703 seats used in the listed models.

The Kenworth T680 accounts for the largest share, with 248 trucks. Another 193 are Kenworth T880s. Together, those two models make up more than half of the recall population.

How the Seat Wiring Can Create a Fire Risk

The problem is inside the wiring that serves the seat ventilation system. Certain harnesses were made without heat-shrink insulation at a connection within the wiring. PACCAR says the missing material can allow a short circuit, which raises the risk of fire.

The filing identifies the missing insulation at the ends of a resistor and diode within a splice. Those are parts of the seat’s electrical wiring. Dealers will replace the suspect harnesses with new ones to address the defect.

For truck drivers, the concern goes beyond whether the seat’s ventilation feature works. The stated safety risk is an electrical short that could lead to a fire. No advance warning is associated with the defect.

What the PACCAR 100% Defect Estimate Means

PACCAR estimates that the defect is present in 100% of the identified recall population. That figure applies to the manufacturing flaw in the affected trucks. It is not an estimate of how many fires will occur.

The distinction matters because the filing describes limited field reports. As of August 14, the company had received one report that might be linked to the problem. It also reported no related warranty claims and no reports of deaths or injuries.

Investigation Led to Changes in Production

The potentially related field report was dated July 8, 2026. PACCAR’s safety and compliance staff were notified on July 16, and an investigation began. The truck involved in that report was inspected by PACCAR and Gra-Mag on July 22.

During the review, PACCAR checked warranty data and worked to identify the affected trucks. The company completed repairs to trucks at its sites on July 30. Its safety committee determined on August 14 that a safety defect existed.

The supplier also changed its production process. Work instructions were updated July 10, and a stronger splice design followed July 13. PACCAR identifies supplier parts made before July 10 as suspect.

PACCAR submitted the recall report on August 21. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration acknowledged it on August 26. The federal campaign number is 26V544000, and the company’s recall number is 25PACE.

Recall Repairs and Owner Letters

Dealers will replace the affected seat wiring harnesses free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to go out October 20, 2026. The supplied documents do not state how long each repair will take.

For owner-operators and fleets, that leaves repair scheduling as a practical issue. Affected trucks will need time for dealer service, but the filing gives no downtime estimate. It also does not specify payment for lost earnings while a truck is being repaired.

Company drivers may need to coordinate with fleet maintenance staff about whether their assigned truck is included. The model and build date help narrow the affected group. However, some trucks were already repaired before PACCAR finalized the recall population.

No Stop-Driving Advisory in the Filing

PACCAR’s submitted report does not include a “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside” advisory. The documents therefore do not direct owners to stop operating affected trucks or park them outdoors. The stated fire risk and need for a recall repair still apply.

Owners with questions can contact Peterbilt at 1-940-591-4220 or Kenworth at 1-425-828-5888, citing recall 25PACE. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline is 1-888-327-4236. Those contact details are included in the recall notice ahead of the planned October mailing.