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2003 Kenworth T800 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

7 safety recalls list the 2003 Kenworth T800, and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

7
safety recalls
1
owner complaint to NHTSA

7 safety recalls for the 2003 Kenworth T800

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

  1. 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…

  2. Electrical system: wiring

    NHTSA 04V174000 Reported 25 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR INCORPORATED

    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.

  3. Fuses and circuit breakers (electrical system)

    NHTSA 03V285000 Reported 117 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR INCORPORATED

    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.

  4. Unknown or other

    NHTSA 03V234000 Reported 84 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR INCORPORATED

    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…

  5. Fifth wheel assembly (trailer hitches)

    NHTSA 03V168000 Reported 483 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR INCORPORATED

    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…

  6. Service brakes, air

    NHTSA 03V126000 Reported 45 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR INCORPORATED

    Certain trucks equipped with meritor p 18x7 brakes with 36" brake chambers fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (FMVSS) no. 121, "air brake systems." these trucks were manufactured with a combined air reservoir volume less than 12 times the combined volume of all service brake chambers.

    Remedy: Dealers will add an additional tank or change one of the existing air tanks to a larger size. Owner notification began on may 5, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service…

  7. Exterior lighting

    NHTSA 03V045000 Reported 9,890 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR INCORPORATED

    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…

1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2003 Kenworth T800 have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA. Complaints peaked in 2004 with 1 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“While driving at night the headlights shut off without warning. This forced the driver to pull off the road, because lack of visibility. Consumer contacted the dealership, and mechanic determined head”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 11, 2004 · Exterior lighting

Compare Kenworth T800 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Kenworth T800 model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1987 Kenworth T80020
1988 Kenworth T80020
1989 Kenworth T80030
1990 Kenworth T80030
1991 Kenworth T80040
1992 Kenworth T80010
1993 Kenworth T80010
1994 Kenworth T80032
1995 Kenworth T80052
1996 Kenworth T80081
1997 Kenworth T80091
1998 Kenworth T80081
1999 Kenworth T800124
2000 Kenworth T800101
2001 Kenworth T800101
2002 Kenworth T80060
2003 Kenworth T80071
2004 Kenworth T800123
2005 Kenworth T800123
2006 Kenworth T800134
2007 Kenworth T800201
2008 Kenworth T800251
2009 Kenworth T800192
2010 Kenworth T800111
2011 Kenworth T800131
2012 Kenworth T800101
2013 Kenworth T80080
2014 Kenworth T800120
2015 Kenworth T800120
2016 Kenworth T800121
2017 Kenworth T80080
2018 Kenworth T800111
2019 Kenworth T80080
2020 Kenworth T80090
2021 Kenworth T80010
2022 Kenworth T80010
2023 Kenworth T80010
2024 Kenworth T80040
2025 Kenworth T80010

Checking a specific 2003 Kenworth T800

How do I know if my 2003 Kenworth T800 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. 7 campaigns currently list the 2003 Kenworth T800; 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 03V045000).

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.