RecallMyCar

2006 Kenworth C500 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

5 safety recalls list the 2006 Kenworth C500, and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

5
safety recalls
1
owner complaint to NHTSA
0 / 1
complaints citing a crash / fire

5 safety recalls for the 2006 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. Service brakes, air

    NHTSA 07V090000 Reported 65 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR INCORPORATED

    Certain trucks fail to comply with the brake timing regulatory requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 121, "air brake systems." the brake valve was moved to the opposite rail, increasing the length of the air line, which in turn increased the wheelbase requiring a dual relay valve system. The vehicles were…

    Remedy: Dealers will convert the single relay valve to a dual relay valve system free of charge. The recall began on may 21, 2007. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440.

  4. Driveline (power train)

    NHTSA 06V391000 Reported 572 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR INCORPORATED

    On certain trucks equipped with chalmers rear suspensions, the adjustable torque rod end castings may be brittle. A brittle rod end casting may fracture without warning, causing the vehicles' rear axles to become misaligned.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles to determine if they were manufactured with a suspect torque rod end. If a suspect torque rod end is found, the entire torque rod will be replaced. The recall began on october 9, 2006.…

  5. 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…

1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2006 Kenworth C500 have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA; 1 describe a fire. Complaints peaked in 2011 with 1 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“2006 kenworth conventional, was traveling on the ohio turnpike at mile post 201 eastbound when the truck caught on fire. *bf according to the police report, line/wire caught on fire. (ohio traffic cra”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 6, 2011 · Electrical system

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 2006 Kenworth C500

How do I know if my 2006 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 2006 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 05V570000).

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.