RoadVitals

1996 Kenworth C500 Recalls

Safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA that cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
Recall campaignsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
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Newest Mar 31, 2003
Carrying an NHTSA advisoryCampaigns where NHTSA told owners not to drive the vehicle, or to park it outside, until the repair is done.
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Open investigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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Recall campaigns

4 campaigns cover this model year — what the defect is, what it could cause, and what the remedy is

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

Mar 31, 2003
45 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
The 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 DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.
PACCAR INCORPORATEDManufacturer number 03KW3View on NHTSA.gov

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Feb 20, 2001
209 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: FAILURE OF THE LOWER SWAY ARM ATTACHING BOLTS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
The 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.
PACCAR, INCORPORATEDManufacturer number 01KW02View on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

Jun 11, 1998
9,500 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS CHAFFING CAN CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE AND A POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, ADJUST, AND REPAIR, IF NECESSARY, THE FUEL LINE AND ELECTRICAL HARNESS.
PACCAR, INCORPORATEDView on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH

Apr 3, 1996
617 units potentially affected
The defect: THE WIRES THAT CORRESPOND TO THE VEHICLE'S REAR TURN SIGNALS WERE REVERSED WHEN INSTALLED IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR.
The risk: THIS CONDITION WILL CAUSE THE REAR TURN SIGNALS TO FLASH OPPOSITE FROM THE DIRECTION INTENDED BY THE DRIVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH.
PACCAR, INCORPORATEDView on NHTSA.gov

What a recall is

Safety recall
A safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
Safety investigation
NHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
Manufacturer communication
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources