NHTSA recall 26V485 covers 5,919 model-year 2027 Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks whose oil-contaminated power distribution boxes may interrupt engine power and critical safety systems.
Owner notices are planned for September 25
PACCAR's Part 573 report for NHTSA recall 26V485 says dealer, interim-owner and remedy-owner notifications are planned for September 25, 2026. The campaign covers 5,919 model-year 2027 Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks and tractors. Fleets should not wait for a generic model list alone: the recall applies to specific vehicles built during identified production periods and must be confirmed by VIN or manufacturer records.
Oil contamination can interrupt critical electrical functions
The report says certain cab Power Distribution Center boxes may be contaminated with oil. A loss of electrical connection can interrupt engine power, the antilock braking system, exterior lighting, windshield wipers or the defrost system. PACCAR says any of those failures during operation could increase crash risk. An ABS malfunction lamp may warn of an ABS failure, but the report says no warning is provided for the other listed failure modes.
The campaign includes twelve Kenworth and Peterbilt models
The recall population includes Kenworth T680, T480, T880, T280, T380 and W990 vehicles and Peterbilt 579, 537, 589, 536, 567 and 548 vehicles, all listed as model year 2027. Production windows vary by model, beginning June 9, June 22 or June 23 and ending July 13, 2026. A truck outside a model's stated build range is not established as recalled merely because it shares the same badge.
Kenworth accounts for 3,027 listed vehicles
PACCAR reported 1,451 Kenworth T680 tractors, 1,221 T880 tractors, 105 W990 tractors, 81 T480 trucks, 87 T280 trucks and 82 T380 trucks. Those model counts total 3,027. The agency filing identifies specific suspect power-distribution-box part and serial-number populations, so fleet inventory records should be matched to the official recall lookup and dealer information rather than this count alone.
Peterbilt accounts for 2,892 listed vehicles
The filing lists 989 Peterbilt 579 tractors, 524 model 589 tractors, 1,123 model 567 trucks, 76 model 537 trucks, 71 model 536 trucks and 109 model 548 trucks. Those figures total 2,892. Together with the Kenworth population, they produce the reported 5,919 vehicles potentially involved.
PACCAR estimates a smaller share actually contains the defect
The Part 573 report estimates that 0.3 percent of the 5,919-vehicle population contains the defect. That estimate does not allow an owner to opt out or assume an individual truck is unaffected. The recall population defines which vehicles require the prescribed inspection process; the remedy inspection identifies whether a suspect power-distribution box is installed and needs replacement.
The supplier traced the condition to its soldering process
According to the filing, a damaged air-compressor filter allowed oil into the printed-circuit-board soldering process at the supplier. PACCAR identified cab PDC box part numbers P27-1297-0101 and P27-1298-0101. The company says it held suspect trucks for inspection after learning of the issue and established July 14, 2026 as the corrected-production clean point.
The remedy is inspection and replacement when matched
Dealers will compare the PDC box serial number in a recalled vehicle with the supplier's suspect list. If it matches, the box will be replaced. PACCAR's report says owners and dealers will receive the inspection and, where needed, replacement free of charge. Owners who paid for a qualifying repair before notification may seek reimbursement under the manufacturer's plan, subject to its documentation and eligibility process.
No field injuries or deaths were reported in the filing
PACCAR reported that as of July 27 it had received no related warranty claims, no field reports and no reports of deaths or injuries. That is the status stated in the July 28 filing, not a prediction that a failure cannot occur. The absence of known incidents does not cancel the recall or replace the VIN-specific inspection and remedy.
Fleets should build a VIN-based response
Safety managers should identify affected Kenworth and Peterbilt units, check each VIN through NHTSA or the manufacturer, contact an authorized dealer, schedule the free inspection and document completion. Dispatch should know the vehicle's status and the carrier's instructions. If a truck shows loss of engine power, lighting, wipers, defrost or ABS function, the driver should follow emergency procedures and report the symptoms immediately rather than trying to reset or bypass the system.
Drivers should not open or modify the PDC box
The recall remedy requires serial-number inspection and possible component replacement by the dealer. A driver should not open the electrical enclosure, disturb fuses, clean a circuit board or install a jumper. Record warning lamps and failed functions, stop in a safe location when continued operation is unsafe and follow the fleet's roadside-assistance procedure. A cleared warning lamp does not prove that the underlying electrical condition is gone.
Check official records even if no letter arrives
Recall letters can follow ownership records, so recently purchased, transferred or leased equipment may not receive a notice promptly. Use NHTSA's VIN recall lookup and PACCAR dealer channels, and keep the maintenance record current. The model year and model name narrow the question; only the VIN-specific result and manufacturer campaign process determine whether a particular vehicle is included and whether the remedy is complete.
Primary-source note
This report is based on PACCAR's Part 573 Safety Recall Report for NHTSA campaign 26V485, submitted July 28, 2026 and reviewed September 9. CDL Truck Pro has preserved the manufacturer's reported population, defect estimate, model counts, risk, remedy and planned notification date and has not inferred that every listed vehicle contains an oil-contaminated box.
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Official sources
NHTSA Part 573 Safety Recall Report 26V485NHTSA VIN recall lookupCDL Truck Pro provides educational information. Confirm licensing, safety, tax, and regulatory requirements through current official sources and qualified professionals.