Kenworth T600 Recalls & Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA lists 53 safety recalls and 16 owner complaints across 23 model years of the Kenworth T600 (1990–2019). The most-complained-about year is 2005.
Pick your Kenworth T600 model year
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 Kenworth T600 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 Kenworth T600 | 1 | 0 |
| 2017 Kenworth T600 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 Kenworth T600 | 1 | 2 |
| 2011 Kenworth T600 | 1 | 0 |
| 2010 Kenworth T600 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 Kenworth T600 | 5 | 0 |
| 2008 Kenworth T600 | 11 | 1 |
| 2007 Kenworth T600 | 13 | 1 |
| 2006 Kenworth T600 | 8 | 1 |
| 2005 Kenworth T600 | 8 | 4 |
| 2004 Kenworth T600 | 10 | 0 |
| 2003 Kenworth T600 | 5 | 2 |
| 2002 Kenworth T600 | 5 | 1 |
| 2001 Kenworth T600 | 7 | 0 |
| 2000 Kenworth T600 | 7 | 0 |
| 1999 Kenworth T600 | 9 | 1 |
| 1998 Kenworth T600 | 4 | 0 |
| 1997 Kenworth T600 | 4 | 2 |
| 1996 Kenworth T600 | 5 | 0 |
| 1995 Kenworth T600 | 1 | 0 |
| 1991 Kenworth T600 | 3 | 0 |
| 1990 Kenworth T600 | 2 | 1 |
What Kenworth T600 owners complain about
Across all model years, owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. The 2005 model year has the most, with 4.
All Kenworth T600 recalls (53)
Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Kenworth T600, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.
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Diesel (engine and engine cooling)
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Kenworth C500, T600, T660, T680, T800, T880 and W900 trucks, as well as Peterbilt 367, 386, 389, 567, 579 and 587 trucks, equipped with Cummins ISX15 or X15 diesel engines. In certain driving conditions, such as on a long down-hill grade, the fuel line may burst if the fuel…
Remedy: Cummins will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect fuel pump cooling circuit screen, free of charge. The recall began November 21, 2018. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220.…
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Driveline (power train)
Paccar is recalling certain model year 2013 kenworth T400, T600, T700, T800, and W900 vehicles, manufactured from July 18, 2012, through August 10, 2012. Cap screws securing the main driveline to the forward rear axle and cap screws on the inter-axle driveline may not have been properly torqued.
Remedy: Paccar will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and re-torque the each of the affected fasteners, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 7, 2012. Owners may contact Kenworth at 1-425-828-5440.
Model years: 2013
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Engine and engine cooling
Paccar is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 kenworth c500, t2000, t600, and t660, as well as model year 2009-2011 peterbilt 387 and 388 trucks equipped with caterpillar c15 engine and manufactured from may 11, 2006, through september 17, 2010. Degradation of a combustion tube weld can cause radial heat impingement on the body which…
Remedy: Caterpillar is handling the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Please see caterpillar's defect report 11e-006. Caterpillar will replace the single piece combustion tube with a thick wall combustion tube…
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Axle assembly (power train)
Paccar is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 kenworth and peterbilt vehicles manufactured from february 2, 2006 through april 30, 2007. The bearing surfaces of the extended lube universal joint that attaches the inter-axle driveline to the drive axle may become prematurely worn due to breakdown of lubrication and/or excessive heat.…
Remedy: Paccar is working with its supplier to remedy the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during february 2011. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 940-591-4196.
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Service brakes, air
Kenworth is recalling 3,423 my 2004-2009 t2000, t800,t600, w900 and t660 vehicles. Increased brake excitation in a certain vehicle configuration which includes bendix drum brakes, wide base low profile single tires, and an ag400 or ag460 rear suspension, due to its unique brake clocking and cam tube length, can cause fatigue and…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle brakes assembly, replace cracked rear axle brakes assembly components where required, and install cam tube support brackets on all rear axle wheel ends free of charge. The recall is…
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Suspension
Paccar is recalling 130 my 2004-2009 t2000, t800, t600, w900 and t660 kenworth trucks built with an ag400 rear suspension, long stroke brake chambers, and wide base tires (super singles). These vehicles may develop an increase in lateral and vertical axle movement. This movement may cause part or parts of the brake assembly (brake cam…
Remedy: Dealers will install the cam tube support brackets on all of the rear axle wheel ends. Inspect the rear axle brake assembly and replace it if cracked. The recall is expected to begin during november 2008. Owners may…
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Diesel (engine and engine cooling)
Paccar is recalling 4,883 my 2006-2009 kenworth t600, t660, t800, w900, t2000 and my 2008-2009 peterbilt 365, 367, 379, 384, 386, 387, 388 and 389 trucks. Inadequate stiffness of the diesel particulate filter (dpf) bracket could result in separation of the dpf from the chassis.
Remedy: Paccar is working with caterpillar to repair these vehicles (please see 08e041). Owners may contact caterpillar at 1-800-447-4986 or kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.
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Suspension
Kenworth is recalling 1,189 my 2009 t2000, t600, t660, t800 and w900 trucks. The axle u-bolts attaching the axle to the drive beam on certain ag380 rear suspensions may have received insufficient fastener torque during the installation process.
Remedy: Dealers will have the axle u-bolt on the affected chassis re-torqued to factory specifications free of charge. The recall began on august 12, 2008. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440.
Model years: 2009
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Fifth wheel assembly (trailer hitches)
Paccar is recalling 3,573 my 2007 kenworth c500, t800, t600, t2000, and w900 chassis built with phillips qcs ii trailer cable connection and trailer cable mounting bracket with 'u-shaped' cut out. Certain trailer cable mounting brackets have a 'u-shaped' cut out that only partially supports the trailer cable connection. Partial support…
Remedy: Dealers will install a reinforcement bracket between the flexible back of the qcs ii molded boot and the frame bracket, and reattach the supporting bolts. The recall began on may may 30, 2008. Owners may contact…
Model years: 2007
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Fifth wheel assembly (trailer hitches)
Paccar is recalling 172 my 2007 kenworth t800 short hood, w900 long hood and t600 tractor/trailers equipped with saf-holland simplex fifth wheels. If the pivot bolt joint for the lever bar is over torqued, the spacer deforms, and makes contact with the lever bar. This condition coupled with corrosion associated with the seasonal dry…
Remedy: Kenworth is working with saf-holland simplex and will inspect the pivot bolt joint for a deformed spacer and replace the bolt, washer and spacer with a hex-head shoulder bolt and washer free of charge. The recall began…
Model years: 2007
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)
Certain trucks equipped with eaton synflex eclipse brand extruded nylon air brake hose tubing fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 106, "brake hoses." the tubing was manufactured with only four layers of nylon material, instead of the specified five layers.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the air brake hoses and, if necessary, replace the hoses. The recall began on february 22, 2008. Owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or…
Model years: 2008
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Engine and engine cooling
On certain trucks equipped with caterpillar c11, c13 or c15 engines, the oil fill cap can become dislodged due to cap damage or improper installation and become lodged in the u-joint of the steering driveline and steering gear.
Remedy: Paccar is working with caterpillar to repair these vehicles. Revised oil cap retention based on the engine model/configuration will be incorporated to prevent steering lock-up. The recall began during december 2007.…
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Trailer hitches
On certain trucks, the removable tow hitch ,when used to tow or lift a vehicle, can fail due to defective material in the tow hitch.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the tow pin assembly free of charge. The recall began on september 4, 2007. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 940-591-4201.
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Delivery (fuel system)
On certain trucks, if the ignition switch is turned on prior to initial start up in the manufacturing plant or during the filter replacement in the field, a small flame will ignite when the fuel is added to prime the system.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the filter for the date codes of the suspect filters and replace those heating elements free of charge. The recall began on march 21, 2007. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440 and peterbilt…
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Axle assembly (power train)
On certain trucks, the axle housings may have been manufactured with steel that was out of specification which could result in a fatigue failure over time.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the axles free of charge. The recall began on may 9, 2007. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.
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Service brakes, air
Certain trucks fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 121, "air brake systems." the trailer light line may have been routed using too tight of a bend radius. This routing method could cause the wires within the harness plug to be pulled away from the chassis plug resulting in an intermittent or…
Remedy: Dealers will reroute the light line to eliminate the excessive bend radius and replace any plug or harness that has been damaged free of charge. The recall began on april 16, 2007. Owner may contact kenworth at…
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Fifth wheel assembly (trailer hitches)
On certain trucks, an ra529 king pin release air valve was manufactured with the internal spool installed backwards. This results in the air option of the king pin release system being inoperable. To correct this situation, the vehicle's air lines were reversed rather than replacing the valve.
Remedy: Kenworth will inspect the king pin release system and suspect valve. If any vehicles have a nonconforming valve or incorrect plumbing, it will be replaced and re-plumbed. The recall began on november 29, 2006. Owners…
Model years: 2006
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Column (steering)
On certain trucks equipped with a trw tilt/telescoping steering column, the tilt locking mechanism on the steering column may disengage. This could prevent the steering column from locking in to predetermined positions.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the tilt locking mechanism with a revised design that incorporates a new bracket for restraining the tilting mechanism. The recall began on december 22, 2006. Owners may contact kenworth at…
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Engine and engine cooling
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…
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Steering
On certain trucks equipped with the bendix electronic stability control (esp) system, the system uses multiple sensors and an electronic control unit (ECU) to control vehicle under steer, over-steer, and rollover situations. The system relies on vehicle sensors to be functioning and aligned properly. The steering angle sensor has the…
Remedy: Because of the immediate and substantial risk, kenworth and peterbilt dealers will first deactivate the yaw control feature of the bendix esp system preventing inadvertent esp activation. When parts are available, the…
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Suspension: rear
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…
Model years: 2005
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Suspension
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.…
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Electrical system: wiring
On certain trucks, the power feed harness p92-1993 terminals were not properly crimped.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the harness. The recall began january 13, 2005. Owners should contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440.
Model years: 2004
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Structure
On certain trucks, some of the huck bolts on the cab may not have been properly installed.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the huck bolts on the cab attaching structure of the left-hand door aperture, if necessary. The recall began on november 19, 2004. Owners should contact kenworth at 425-828-5440.
Model years: 2004
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Universal joint (power train)
On certain trucks built with the optional dana spl driveline, the u-joint fasteners at the output yoke of the transmission were not properly tightened.
Remedy: Dealers will verify the torque of the u-joint fasteners. Parts showing excessive wear will be replaced. The recall began on november 12, 2004. Owners should contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440.
Model years: 2004
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Electrical system: front underhood
On certain trucks equipped with a combination of caterpillar c11/c13 engines and an optional leece neville brushless alternator, a chaffing point may exist between a heat shield on the engine and the wiring for the alternator.
Remedy: Dealers will change the alternator to a brush-type alternator that is shorter in length and provide the necessary clearance to all surrounding components. The recall began august 31, 2004. Owners should contact…
Model years: 2004
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Labels (equipment)
Certain trucks fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, 'tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars.' the tire pressure was omitted from the vehicle's certification label.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with a corrected label. The recall began august 12, 2004. Owners should contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440.
Model years: 2004
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Electrical system: wiring
Certain trucks equipped with eaton fuller ultrasonic transmissions fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock and transmission braking effect." the cab transmission harness could have been incorrectly wired during production installation.
Remedy: Dealers will repair the connections in the wiring harness if necessary. Owner notification began on may 7, 2004. Owners should contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440.
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Fuses and circuit breakers (electrical system)
On certain heavy duty trucks, the main cab wiring harness was incorrectly connected to the 50 amp circuit breaker instead of the 135 amp breaker.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and the wiring will be corrected if necessary. Owner notification began september 16, 2003. Owners should contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440.
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Unknown or other
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with vertical tail pipes, the frame access grabhandle is mounted too high.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the grabhandle location and if determined to be mounted too high, the handle will be relocated to the proper height. Owner notification began july 29, 2003. Owners should contact kenworth at…
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Fifth wheel assembly (trailer hitches)
On certain trucks equipped with jost international jsk 37u series fifth wheels, a fatigue crack can develop in the bracket pin weld under certain loading conditions.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the bracket pins and repair instructions free of charge. Peterbilt's owner notification began june 20, 2003. Kenworth's owner notification began june 12, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an…
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Hub (suspension)
On certain trucks equipped with truck hub units manufactured by skf exclusively for use on arvinmeritor's ff98x series non-drive steer axles, the hub unit bearings can wear prematurely.
Remedy: Dealers will replace all front axle hubs. Notification began july 16, 2003. The manufacturer has advised us that parts will not be available until september 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer…
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Exterior lighting
Certain trucks equipped with trailer connections fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) no. 121, "air brake systems," and no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the supplier removed a rubber grommet from the trailer light line connector. The vehicles are…
Remedy: Dealers will install the missing grommet on all affected chassis. If a connector is found defective, it will be replaced with a new connector. Owner notification is began on march 14, 2003. Owners who take their…
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Hand control/valve (service brakes)
On certain vehicles equipped with bendix tc-7 trailer control hand-operated valve with push-to-connect fittings. The delivery port in the valve body may be partially blocked due to a problem during the molding process.
Remedy: Paccar will notify its customers and inspect and replace, if necessary, the hand valve free of charge. Owner notification began october 18, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon…
Model years: 2002
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Tie rod assembly (steering)
Heavy duty trucks equipped with trw tie rod ends on certain arvinmeritor and dana axles. Peterbilt will recall 1,434 vehicles equipped with arvinmeritor axles manufactured from december 11, 1999, to may 14, 2000, and from july 22 to september 30, 2000. Kenworth will recall 859 vehicles equipped with arvinmeritor vehicles manufactured…
Remedy: Dealers will remove and replace all affected tie rods and drag links with different designed ends. Owner notification began july 15, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon…
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Electrical system: wiring
On some heavy duty trucks equipped with alcoa fujikura ltd. (afl) power distribution boxes (pd box), the pd boxes were manufactured with insufficient torque applied to the nut of the main power feed-through stud.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the nut on the main power feed-through stud. Owner notification began february 25, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…
Model years: 2000
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Universal joint (power train)
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks. The driveline u-joint fasteners at the output yoke of the transmission were improperly tightened.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the driveline fasteners to the proper specification. Owner notification began november 26, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…
Model years: 2001
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Defroster/defogger/hvac system (visibility)
Vehicle description: certain heavy duty trucks fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 103, "windshield defrosting and defogging systems." the mode door in an HVAC system can become inoperable. The mode door cam and actuator could bind, causing the cam retaining tabs to shear off.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the mode door operation and replace the HVAC cab mode housing assembly if necessary. Owner notification began november 7, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed…
Model years: 2001
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Tie rod assembly (steering)
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with trw tie rod ends on certain meritor axles. The tie rod and drag link ball stud ends contain bearings that are below the specified case depth and/or hardness.
Remedy: Dealers will remove and replace all affected tie rods and drag links with different designed ends. Owner notification began october 24, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon…
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Tie rod assembly (steering)
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with tie rod assemblies manufactured by trw. The suspect tie rods contain 24-dl model ball sockets. Certain of the tie rod ball-socket bearings have a below-specification case depth and/or hardness, which can lead to premature wear of the socket.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the defective ball sockets and/or drag links. Owner notification began on april 10, 2001, to kenworth owners and on april 25, 2001, to peterbilt owners. Owners who take their vehicles to an…
Model years: 1999
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Suspension: lower arm
Vehicle description: vehicles equipped with 54" rear axle spacing configuration of the airglide 200 suspension with the service application identified as logger, dump truck, or tanker. The rear suspension is regularly subjected to extreme articulation, resulting in flexing of the joint.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lower sway arm brackets. Owner notification began march 27, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within…
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Fuses and circuit breakers (electrical system)
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with an optional firewall-mounted circuit breaker. The main cab power and battery power leads were attached incorrectly. This condition can result in the main cab power being unprotected.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and correct the problem, as needed. Owner notification began february 26, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…
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Tie rod assembly (steering)
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with trw tie rod ends on certain meritor axles. The tie rod and drag link ball stud ends contain bearings that are below the specified case depth and/or hardness.
Remedy: Dealers will remove and replace all affected tie rods and drag links with different designed ends.
Model years: 1999
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Automatic transmission (power train)
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with eaton autoshift gen ii transmission assemblies. Due to a software problem in the transmission assemblies, the transmission will select the wrong gear.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the autoshift transmissions. Eaton performed the campaign for the kenworth portion. However peterbilt will be conducting their own campaign.
Model years: 2000
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Driveline (power train)
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks. The installation of the aluminum steering driveline exceeds the u-joint angles specified by dana, the driveline manufacturer. By exceeding this specification, the u-joint could contact and cause a stress riser in the aluminum drive shaft. This contact could cause in a notch in the aluminum…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the aluminum driveline with a steel version.
Model years: 1999
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Electrical system: module
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with caterpillar engines and eaton autoshift transmissions. The engines can stall because of software problems.
Remedy: Dealers will update these engines with software changes. Caterpillar is conducting the owner notification and remedy of this recall.
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Electrical system: front underhood
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with caterpillar 3406e engines. The routing of the electrical and fuel lines can cause chaffing of the wiring harness on the fuel line.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, adjust, and repair, if necessary, the fuel line and electrical harness.
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Hub (suspension)
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with design level 1, rockwell ff980 series front axle. The front axle hub flange can develop cracks due to high stress levels.
Remedy: Dealers will remove and replace the front hubs with an improved design level 2 hub.
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Suspension: rear
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with kenworth airglide 200 rear suspension. Due to materials used in the sway bar arms and studs as well as the stud plating material, stress corrosion cracking and bending fatigue can occur in the rear suspension sway bar arms and studs causing the stud to fail prematurely.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the arm assembly manufactured from a different material. New studs will be installed with different threads and different finish.
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Switch (exterior lighting)
The wires that correspond to the vehicle's rear turn signals were reversed when installed in the electrical connector.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the turn signal switch and, if necessary, replace the turn signal switch.
Model years: 1996
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Fan (engine and engine cooling)
The engine fan may experience a resonant frequency causing premature fan failure, and separation from the engine.
Remedy: Replace engine fan with fan from another manufacturer.
Model years: 1990, 1991
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Service brakes, air
Air brake system was modified by adding a longer air line between the ABS solenoid and the transfer tee to simplify manufacturing. This modification caused the trucks to be in non-compliance with FMVSS 121, brake timing test.
Remedy: Remove the extra length of air line and install the transfer tee at the ABS solenoid.
Model years: 1990, 1991
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Linkages (steering)
Pitman arm pinch bolts may have been inadequately torqued.
Remedy: Retorque pinch bolts and reset as necessary.
Model years: 1991
Other Kenworth models
- T68077 complaints
- T200038 complaints
- T80033 complaints
- W90032 complaints
- Kenworth23 complaints
- Conventional10 complaints
- T88010 complaints
- T3007 complaints
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.