Hazard Lights Cause Recall of 5,000+ Kenworth, Peterbilt Trucks
The exterior lighting switch may fail on some Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks, resulting in the hazard lights and the instrument display back-light brightness adjustment not functioning.

The external lighting switch problem means these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment."
Image: HDT Graphic
Paccar is recalling certain Kenworth and Peterbilt medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks because of a potential problem with hazard lights not working.
The recall affects 5,378 trucks:
2025 Kenworth T180
2025-2026 Kenworth T280
2023-2026 Kenworth T380
2024-2026 Kenworth T480
2025 Peterbilt 535
2024-2026 Peterbilt 536
2024-2026 Peterbilt 537
2024-2026 Peterbilt 548
2025 Peterbilt 567
The exterior lighting switch may fail, resulting in the hazard lights and the instrument display back-light brightness adjustment not functioning.
In some engine start conditions, the ELS power may drop below 10V for an extended period and prevent the ELS from properly powering on.
If the ELS fails, the hazard lights and the backlight brightness adjustment may not function. As a result, the lack of hazard lights may not alert other drivers and failure to adjust the backlight brightness may distract the operator, which may increase the risk of a crash.
A non-responsive switch can be temporarily reset by a key cycle.
Dealers will update the vehicle cab controller unit (VECU) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 30, 2025. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220. Paccar's numbers for this recall are 25KWB and 25PBB.
More Safety & Compliance

Truck Drivers Need More Than Another Alert
Fleets have more visibility into truck health, safety events, and driver activity than ever. The next challenge is turning all that information into useful guidance for the person who has to decide what to do next.
Read More →
Tesla Wants a Self-Driving Semi. Are Cameras Enough?
Could Tesla’s camera-only autonomous driving technology work on an 80,000-pound Semi? In this commentary, HDT's Deborah Lockridge takes a look at Tesla, Cybercab, and how autonomous trucks see the road.
Read More →
What DOT’s Automated Vehicle Strategy Means for Trucking
The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a new automated-vehicle strategy that outlines plans for driverless-truck regulations, cross-state freight corridors, and federal safety standards.
Read More →
NYC Expands Speed, Pedestrian Safety Tech Across Fleet
New York City is expanding intelligent speed assistance and pedestrian-alert systems across its municipal fleet, moving the technologies from pilot programs into vehicle procurement and retrofit requirements.
Read More →
FMCSA Removes 110 Truck Driver Training Schools from Certified ELDT List
Federal regulators also are targeting more than 160 additional training providers and launching a nationwide audit of third-party CDL skills testers as part of a broader crackdown on trucking fraud.
Read More →
Beyond DOT Compliance: What Makes a Trucking Fleet Truly Safe?
A trucking fleet can follow every rule and still make unsafe decisions. The real test comes when safety conflicts with freight, productivity, or cost.
Read More →
Hours of Service Pilot Programs: FMCSA Readies for 2027 Rollout
Two pilot programs could eventually reshape hours-of-service rules, giving truck drivers options to pause their 14-hour clock or use longer split sleeper rest periods.
Read More →
New Guide Offers Pet Safety Tips for Truck Drivers
Hundreds of thousands of pets travel in truck cabs. A new safety guide from Volvo Trucks and the Center for Pet Safety offers practical advice for truck drivers who bring dogs and cats along for the ride.
Read More →
Medical Cards, English Proficiency Reshape Roadcheck Violations
Medical-card violations jumped to the top of the driver out-of-service list during CVSA’s 2026 International Roadcheck, while English-language proficiency violations appeared among the leading violations for the first time.
Read More →
How Lance Evans Turns Enforcement Experience Into Better Fleet Safety
HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Lance Evans brings lessons from law enforcement to K&B Transportation’s approach to safety technology, data, driver coaching, and compliance.
Read More →
