U.S. public vehicle records

1997 Kenworth T600: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

2 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

Not available median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1997 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Steering:Linkages:Knuckle:Spindle:Arm is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 2 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Steering behavior	1	50.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Steering:Linkages:Knuckle:Spindle:Arm

Suspension:Rear

Steering:Linkages:Knuckle:Spindle:Arm: 1; Suspension:Rear: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

No usable failure mileage is recorded. 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1997

2000

1997: 1; 2000: 1

Pattern summary

Steering:Linkages:Knuckle:Spindle:Arm leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 816971 · 1997-10-08 (October 8, 1997)

FRENCH ELLISON 97V139/97KW2. DEALER DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS. HIS REPLY TO OWNER: FIRST COME FIRST SERVE. **AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 816971 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 870956 · 2000-09-19 (September 19, 2000)

CONSUMER SAID THAT HE WAS IN A REST AREA, AND THE NEXT DAY NOTICED OIL/ MELTED HUB CAP, AND LEFT STEERING AXLE. HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SEND HIM TO THE NEAR DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT FIXED.*AK THE WORN SPINDLE CAUSED THE BEARINGS ON THE LEFT FRONT AND RIGHT FRONT STEERING TO BECOME LOOSE AND LEAK OIL, WHICH SPREAD ALL OVER THE WHEEL RESULTING IN THE HUB CUP MELTING. *YH

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 870956 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

01V051000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm

Reported: 2001-02-20 (February 20, 2001)

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.

Consequence: FAILURE OF THE LOWER SWAY ARM ATTACHING BOLTS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

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 A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5000.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

97V139000 · Suspension:Rear

Reported: 1997-08-20 (August 20, 1997)

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.

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ARM ASSEMBLY MANUFACTURED FROM A DIFFERENT MATERIAL. NEW STUDS WILL BE INSTALLED WITH DIFFERENT THREADS AND DIFFERENT FINISH.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

97V196003 · Suspension:Front:Hub

Reported: 1997-11-24 (November 24, 1997)

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.

Consequence: CRACKS IN A HUB FLANGE CAN RESULT IN A WHEEL SEPARATION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE FRONT HUBS WITH AN IMPROVED DESIGN LEVEL 2 HUB.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

98V129000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood

Reported: 1998-06-11 (June 11, 1998)

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.

Consequence: THIS CHAFFING CAN CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE AND A POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, ADJUST, AND REPAIR, IF NECESSARY, THE FUEL LINE AND ELECTRICAL HARNESS.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

2 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

0.0%Usable mileage0 / 2 records

100.0%Valid incident date2 / 2 records

100.0%Valid filing date2 / 2 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates2 / 2 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2013	2017	2018	2019
Service Brakes, Air	375.0% ODI 10283553 · 360,000 mi TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KENWORTH T600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCES INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES AND DECREASED PARKING BRAKE HOLD CAPABILITY. HE THEN RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 09V239000 (SERVICE BRAKES, AIR). HOWEVER HE HAS ALREADY PAID AN EXPENSE OF $2500.00 TO REPLACE VARIOUS BRAKING COMPONENTS, AND YET THE FAILURES HAVE NOT BEEN PROPERLY REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 360,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 690,000. Look up ODI 10283553 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Tires	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10472014 · 90,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KENTWORTH T600 WITH GOODYEAR SUPER SINGLE TIRES, LINE SIZE 445/50R/22.5 AND THE DOT NUMBER GSWR39965. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE AND SHORTLY AFTER THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT THREE DIFFERENT TIMES AND THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRES BLEW OUT AS WELL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. Look up ODI 10472014 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling	125.0% ODI 10194631 · 121,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KENWORTH T600. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20 MINUTES LATER. THE FAILURE USUALLY OCCURS WHEN DRIVING UPHILL. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE 6 OR 7 TIMES. THE RADIATOR, FAN, AND SENSORS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY THE LABOR FEES FOR EACH REPAIR. THE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CURRENT COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE IS $20,000. THE DEALER STATED THAT BOTH THE HEAD GASKET AND ENGINE HAVE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WA… Look up ODI 10194631 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10806839 · 812,000 mi MY TRUCKE HAD BEEN SHUT OFF AT 10:00-10:15PM AND THE FIRE STARTED SOMETIME BETWEEIN 2:00-2:1AM.WHEN I WOKE UP AND LOOKED OUT AT THE HOOD, 2 FOOT FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD ENGINE SIDE OF THE FIRE WALL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. MOTOR WAS SHUT OFF AND NOTHING ELSE WAS RUNNING. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE REGEN. MOTOR WAS A 550 CATERPILLAR IN A 2008 KW STUDIO SLEEPER MA 10/19/2015 UPDATED 4/27/18JB TR Look up ODI 10806839 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Latches/Locks/Linkages	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10888447 · 300,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KENWORTH T600. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER DOORS FAILED TO OPEN. EVEN USING THE KEY FAILED TO OPEN THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCKING MECHANISM IN THE DOOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT HAD TO CLIMB THROUGH A WINDOW TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXI… Look up ODI 10888447 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
No usable records for this analysis.

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2018: 0 complaints · 2019: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2018	0	0	0
2019	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2018	0	0	0
2019	0	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Steering:Linkages:Knuckle:Spindle:Arm	Suspension:Rear
Steering:Linkages:Knuckle:Spindle:Arm	—	0
Suspension:Rear	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

0 patterns with matching reports.

No narratives match the published patterns.

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Steering:Linkages:Knuckle:Spindle:Arm	1
Suspension:Rear	1

Complaints over time data
Category	Count
1997	1
2000	1