2006 Kenworth T800: complaints, problems and recalls

BOOSTER CABLE ROUTING AND CABLE MOUNTING ON 2006 KENWORTH FOUND TO BE CAUSE OF FIRE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10352782 at NHTSA ↗

BOOSTER CABLE ROUTING AND CABLE MOUNTING ON 2002 KENWORTH FOUND TO BE CAUSE OF FIRE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10352785 at NHTSA ↗

BOOSTER CABLE ROUTING AND CABLE MOUNTING ON 2002 KENWORTH FOUND TO BE CAUSE OF FIRE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10352786 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KENWORTH T800. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY UNLESS EXCESSIVE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKES WERE PERFORMING BELOW SPECIFICATIONS. THE BRAKES WERE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE SINCE RECURRED REPEATEDLY ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES TO BE REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. TH…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10426275 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2005-11-29 (November 29, 2005)

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 POTENTIAL TO BE MISALIGNED WITH THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT, THEREBY PROVIDING INCORRECT INFORMATION TO THE BENDIX ECU.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD AFFECT VEHICLE THROTTLE CONTROL AND BRAKING, THEREBY LEADING TO LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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 STEERING COLUMN WILL BE REPLACED TO INSURE PROPER ALIGNMENT OF THE STEERING SHAFT SENSOR AND THE FULL ESP SYSTEM WILL BE REACTIVATED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 7, 2005. PARTS TO COMPLETE THE REMEDY ARE ESTIMATED TO BE AVAILABLE IN EARLY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440 OR PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4201.

Reported: 2005-12-22 (December 22, 2005)

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.

Consequence: THE OIL LINE MAY BE CUT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD CAUSING AN OIL LEAK AND A POSSIBLE FIRE.

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 940-591-4201.

Reported: 2006-10-13 (October 13, 2006)

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.

Consequence: THIS MISALIGNMENT CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL STABILITY AT SPEEDS THAT MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4196 OR KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.

Reported: 2006-11-30 (November 30, 2006)

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.

Consequence: WITH THE LINES REVERSED, THE KING PIN CAN BE RELEASED WITHOUT THE DRIVER'S KNOWLEDGE. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE DRIVER COULD DRIVE AWAY AND THE TRAILER COULD BECOME DISENGAGED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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 MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.

Reported: 2007-03-09 (March 9, 2007)

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 MANUFACTURED WITH A SINGLE VALVE SYSTEM.

Consequence: IF STOPPING DISTANCE WAS LIMITED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.

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.

Reported: 2007-03-16 (March 16, 2007)

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.

Consequence: IF ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL WHEN LEFT IN DRIVE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE SET ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE COULD MOVE WITHOUT WARNING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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 KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440.

Reported: 2007-06-26 (June 26, 2007)

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.

Consequence: IF THE TOW HITCH ASSEMBLY FAILS WHILE A VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED OR LIFTED, IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

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.

Reported: 2007-06-28 (June 28, 2007)

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.

Consequence: IF THE CAP BECOMES DODGED IN THIS AREA, IT MAY RESULT IN DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE OR CAUSE COMPLETE STEERING LOCK-UP INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CATERPILLAR AT 1-800-447-4986 OR KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440.

Reported: 2007-10-02 (October 2, 2007)

ON CERTAIN EMERGENCY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISL CM850 DIESEL ENGINES, THE CONNECTING RODS WHICH TRANSFER ENERGY FROM THE PISTON TO THE CRANKSHAFT ARE DEFECTIVE AND CAN RESULT IN SEIZURE OF THE PISTON PIN. A PISTON PIN SEIZURE CAN RESULT IN A MISSION-DISABLING ENGINE FAILURE.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER (ENGINE STALL) INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: PACCAR IS WORKING WITH CUMMINS TO REPLACE THE CONNECTING RODS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 06E037). OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-DIESELS OR KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.

Reported: 2008-03-04 (March 4, 2008)

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.

Consequence: REDUCTION IN BRAKING CAPACITY COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

Reported: 2008-09-24 (September 24, 2008)

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 TUBE SUPPORT, BRAKE CHAMBER BRACKET, BRAKE CHAMBER, BRAKE SPIDER) TO DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN THE FAILURE OF THE PART OR PARTS WITHIN THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY.

Consequence: A FAILURE MAY REDUCE VEHICLE BRAKE PERFORMANCE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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 CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.

Reported: 2008-09-23 (September 23, 2008)

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.

Consequence: A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR IF ANOTHER VEHICLE STRIKES THE DPF ON THE ROADWAY.

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.

Reported: 2009-06-30 (June 30, 2009)

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 CRACKING TO BRAKE ASSEMBLY COMPONENTS.

Consequence: CRACKING CAN CAUSE A COMPLETE FRACTURE OF THE CAM TUBE, WHICH COULD INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND DECREASE PARKING BRAKE HOLD CAPABILITY.

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 EXPECTED TO BEGIN OR BEFORE JULY 25, 2009. OWNER MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.