Equipment & Safety • ELDT.LIVE
PACCAR Recall Covers 26,729 Kenworth and Peterbilt Trucks Over Fuel-Leak Risk
NHTSA campaign 26V700 covers selected medium-duty Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks whose remote fuel-filter hoses may separate, leak fuel, and stall the engine.
A newly highlighted federal recall covers 26,729 trucks
NHTSA's November 2 commercial-vehicle recall roundup brought fresh attention to PACCAR campaign 26V700. The federal record lists 26,729 potentially affected Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks. The defect involves remote fuel-filter hoses that may separate from their fittings, creating both a fuel leak and an engine-stall risk.
The affected model list spans nine truck lines
The campaign covers certain 2022–2023 Kenworth T270 and T370 trucks; 2022–2027 Kenworth T280 and Peterbilt 548 trucks; 2023–2027 Kenworth T380, T480, Peterbilt 536, and Peterbilt 537 trucks; and certain 2025 Peterbilt 567 trucks. Model and model year alone do not confirm inclusion. Fleets and owner-operators must check the individual VIN against the official recall record.
Fuel leakage creates a fire hazard
NHTSA says a separated hose can leak fuel. If that fuel reaches an ignition source, it can increase the risk of a fire. Drivers should treat a diesel odor, visible wetness, dripping fuel, smoke, or an unexplained fuel-level change as a safety issue—not as a defect to postpone until the next scheduled service.
An engine stall can remove power unexpectedly
The same hose separation can interrupt fuel delivery and stall the engine, increasing crash risk. A loss of engine power in traffic can reduce the time and space available to reach a safe location. Drivers should know the carrier's breakdown procedure, maintain extra following distance, and avoid continuing a trip after a suspected fuel-system failure.
The repair is a free fuel-hose replacement
PACCAR says dealers will replace the fuel hoses at no charge. Owner-notification letters are scheduled to begin December 20, 2026. PACCAR's manufacturer campaign number is 26PACJ. Peterbilt owners may contact 1-940-591-4220, and Kenworth owners may contact 1-425-828-5888, but operators do not need to wait for a mailed letter before checking a VIN or contacting an authorized dealer.
A recall range is not a VIN-level diagnosis
The 26,729-unit total is the campaign's potential population, not proof that every truck with a listed badge and year contains the defect. Conversely, the absence of a letter today does not prove that a truck is clear because mailing begins later. Use NHTSA's VIN lookup or the manufacturer/dealer system and keep the confirmation with the maintenance record.
Pre-trip attention should focus on evidence, not improvised repairs
Before dispatch, look for fresh fuel around the engine compartment and accessible fuel-system areas, check for warning messages, and report unusual odor or wetness through the carrier's maintenance process. Do not crawl beneath a roadside vehicle, loosen fittings, or attempt an unapproved hose repair. A driver must be satisfied that required equipment is in good working order before operating under 49 CFR 392.7.
If a leak or stall develops, protect people first
Move out of traffic only when the vehicle can be controlled safely, stop the engine, keep flames and ignition sources away, warn approaching traffic as required, and contact emergency services when fire, a substantial spill, or an immediate roadway hazard exists. Notify dispatch and maintenance with the truck number, location, symptoms, warning lights, and whether fuel is visibly leaking. Do not restart or move the vehicle unless the carrier's qualified maintenance or emergency response directs a safe action.
This is a separate PACCAR campaign
The campaign is identified as NHTSA 26V700 and PACCAR 26PACJ. Drivers and fleets should use those numbers when checking status or scheduling repair so the issue is not confused with other fuel-hose recalls involving different manufacturers or vehicle populations. Record the VIN check, dealer appointment, repair completion, and any related inspection findings.
What fleets should do now
Run the VIN list for every potentially affected Kenworth and Peterbilt unit; flag confirmed vehicles in the maintenance system; contact the dealer about remedy availability and scheduling; brief drivers on leak and stall symptoms; and define a no-dispatch decision path for suspected fuel-system defects. After repair, retain the dealer documentation and verify that the recall is closed for the correct VIN.
Educational summaries help you prepare, but official FMCSA and state licensing sources remain the authority for current requirements.
Official sources
NHTSA Recall API — Campaign 26V700000 ↗NHTSA — Check for Safety Recalls by VIN ↗49 CFR 392.7 — Equipment, Inspection and Use ↗Trucks, Parts, Service — NHTSA Commercial-Vehicle Recalls for November 2 ↗ELDT.live independently creates and reviews its content. We do not present practice questions as official examination questions and do not guarantee a licensing result.