RoadVitals

1998 Kenworth T2000

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
3
Latest Oct 20, 2015
Safety recallsA 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.
4
Latest Apr 1, 2003
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.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Kenworth T2000, most frequently naming the fuel system, steering and suspension categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 12 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system133.3%
  • Steering133.3%
  • Suspension133.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
03V125000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB

Apr 1, 2003
154 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.
The 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 ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITH A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201 OR KENWORTH 425-828-5440.
PACCAR INCORPORATEDManufacturer number 303-A/03KW2View on NHTSA.gov
01V051000

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
99V181001

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

Jul 9, 1999
272 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINES AND EATON AUTOSHIFT TRANSMISSIONS. THE ENGINES CAN STALL BECAUSE OF SOFTWARE PROBLEMS.
The risk: INCREASED STEERING EFFORT CAN OCCUR.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL UPDATE THESE ENGINES WITH SOFTWARE CHANGES. CATERPILLAR IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THIS RECALL.
PACCAR, INCORPORATEDManufacturer number 99KW3/799-CView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Suspension
Filed Oct 20, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 KENWORTH T2000. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REMAIN IN POSITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO STEER THE VEHICLE IN EXCESS IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN POSITION. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LATERAL PINS HOLDING THE SUSPENSION HAD SHIFTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH REAR SWAY BARS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V051000 (SUSPENSION) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200,000.

NHTSA ID
10783644
Incident
Aug 6, 2015
Mileage
1,200,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 21, 2003

I HAD A FUEL LINE FAILURE ON MY 98 KENWORTH T2000 WITH A 60 SERIES DETROIT ENGINE. THE FUEL LINE IS ROUTED BEHIND THE STARTER AND IT RUPTURED DO TO RUBBING ON THE CLAMP THAT IS SUPPOSED TO STOP IT FROM VIBRATION. IT COVERED EVERYTHING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITH FUEL ALONG WITH THE STARTER. IF I HAD USED THE STARTER I AM SURE THE RESULTING FIRE WOULD HAVE DONE A HUGE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE. THIS IS A VERY STANDARD PRACTICE OF KENWORTH TO ROUTE THE FUEL LINES THIS WAY. I HAVE TALKED TO MANY MECHANIC'S THAT SAY THIS HAPPENS VERY FREQUENTLY. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10023513
Incident
Feb 23, 2002
Mileage
745,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 1, 2002

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
766541
Incident
Jul 1, 2002

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

02-160

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; VISIBILITY; VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

Information Only – Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate. Washer pumps may fail to spray due to a clogged filter.

32-015

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Information Only: This bulletin provides dealers with a battery warranty quick reference guide to ensure the appropriate tests for battery warranty are performed in order to prevent battery warranty claims filed with incorrect or incomplete information.

32-016

EQUIPMENT

Information Only: Proper jump-starting voltage will eliminate high voltage related issues and equipment damage.

01-075

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Information Only: This bulletin provides guidance for repairing an air-conditioning system after internal failure of the A/C compressor.

TIB-44-17

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

KENWORTH TRUCKS: REDUCED ENGINE POWER FROM FUEL STARVATION. ANY MODEL KENWORTH EQUIPPED WITH THE 2007 EMISSIONS COMPLIANT ISX ENGINE AND OPTIONAL DAVCO 382 FUEL FILTER, BUILT PRIOR TO 8/11/08, *PE

4522

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CONDITIONS WITH RESUME FUNCTION WORKSING AS SET FUNCTION AND SET WORKS AS RESUME ON CRUISE CONTROL. *TT

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.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Kenworth T2000 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012010—
2011020—
2010060—
20090120—
20082141—
20071211149.1
2006772—
2005070—
2004370—
2003250—
2002130—
2001150—
2000260—
1999280—
1998Viewing340—
1997340—
1996030—
1995010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.