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2005 Kenworth C500 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

5 safety recalls list the 2005 Kenworth C500. Check your own VIN below.

5
safety recalls
0
owner complaints to NHTSA

5 safety recalls for the 2005 Kenworth C500

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Slack adjusters (service brakes)

    NHTSA 08V099000 Reported 130 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR INCORPORATED

    Paccar is recalling 130 my 2005-2007 kenworth c500, t800, w900, and peterbilt models 357 and 379 tractor trailers equipped with fabco slack adjusters on sisu axles. The slack adjusters may fail as a result of a fatigue crack rendering the slack adjuster inoperative. This could reduce braking effectiveness.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the slack adjusters free of charge. The recall began on march 21, 2008. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.

  2. Automatic transmission (power train)

    NHTSA 07V107000 Reported 4,592 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR INCORPORATED

    On certain trucks, the wiring, parts, or transmission programming required for the auto neutral feature to function as designed were either not installed, connected, or programmed properly.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the affected vehicles to ensure the auto neutral feature functions properly and, if needed, will make the necessary repairs free of charge. The recall began on may 9, 2007. Owners may contact…

  3. Engine and engine cooling

    NHTSA 05V570000 Reported 30,995 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR INCORPORATED

    On certain tractors equipped with caterpillar diesel engines, the variable valve actuation oil line may wear against the sharp edge of the cylinder head if not positioned correctly.

    Remedy: Caterpillar, in conjunction with paccar, will be conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign free of charge. Owners may call caterpillar at 309-675-6496, kenworth at 425-828-5440, or peterbilt at…

  4. Suspension: rear

    NHTSA 05V237000 Reported 850 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR INCORPORATED

    On certain trucks and tractors equipped with airglide high-articulation rear suspensions, the c65-1006 sway bar used in this rear suspension may experience a reduction in fatigue life due to either a manufacturing process or a high induced stress during an extreme suspension articulation event.

    Remedy: The inspection and repair of these vehicles will depend on the type of vehicle (tractor or truck) and the intended service application. This inspection and repair criteria will be forthcoming. The recall began on june…

  5. Suspension

    NHTSA 05V189000 Reported 1,026 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR INCORPORATED

    On certain heavy duty class 8 trucks, the suspension has transverse beam castings that may fracture under normal loads. If a casting breaks when the vehicle is traveling on a roadway there is the potential for pieces of the casting to become projectiles and the suspension's transverse beam may drop down low enough to contact the road…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the defective transverse beam assemblies free of charge. The recall began on june 10, 2005, with letters being mailed to peterbilt owners; and on june 17, 2005, for kenworth owners.…

No owner complaints on file

NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 2005 Kenworth C500. For context, the average model year in NHTSA's database has dozens; a zero can mean a reliable vehicle, a rare one, or both.

Compare Kenworth C500 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Kenworth C500 model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1975 Kenworth C50020
1976 Kenworth C50020
1977 Kenworth C50020
1978 Kenworth C50020
1979 Kenworth C50010
1980 Kenworth C50010
1981 Kenworth C50010
1989 Kenworth C50010
1990 Kenworth C50010
1991 Kenworth C50030
1992 Kenworth C50010
1993 Kenworth C50010
1994 Kenworth C50010
1995 Kenworth C50010
1996 Kenworth C50040
1997 Kenworth C50030
1998 Kenworth C50030
1999 Kenworth C50071
2000 Kenworth C50070
2001 Kenworth C50040
2002 Kenworth C50020
2003 Kenworth C50030
2004 Kenworth C50040
2005 Kenworth C50050
2006 Kenworth C50051
2007 Kenworth C50061
2008 Kenworth C50090
2009 Kenworth C50050
2010 Kenworth C50041
2011 Kenworth C50060
2012 Kenworth C50031
2013 Kenworth C50020
2014 Kenworth C50040
2015 Kenworth C50030
2016 Kenworth C50030
2017 Kenworth C50040
2018 Kenworth C50050
2019 Kenworth C50040
2020 Kenworth C50010
2021 Kenworth C50010
2022 Kenworth C50010
2023 Kenworth C50010
2025 Kenworth C50010

Checking a specific 2005 Kenworth C500

How do I know if my 2005 Kenworth C500 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 5 campaigns currently list the 2005 Kenworth C500; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Kenworth dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 05V189000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Kenworth models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.