RoadVitals

2002 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.
1
Latest Dec 21, 2009
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.
3
Latest Jul 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 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2002 Kenworth T2000, most frequently naming the tires & wheels category. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 5 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

  • Tires & wheels1100.0%

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

3 campaigns 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
03V234000

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Jul 1, 2003
84 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH VERTICAL TAIL PIPES, THE FRAME ACCESS GRABHANDLE IS MOUNTED TOO HIGH.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A PERSON TO SLIP AND/OR FALL AND COULD LEAD TO PERSONAL INJURY.
The 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 1-425-828-5440.
PACCAR INCORPORATEDManufacturer number 03KW5View on NHTSA.gov
03V168000

TRAILER HITCHES:FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY

May 5, 2003
483 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IF LEFT UNDETECTED OR CORRECTED IT COULD LEAD TO THE SEPARATION OF THE FIFTH WHEEL TOP PLATE FROM ITS MOUNTING STRUCTURE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
The 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 AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201 OR KENWORTH 425-828-5440.
PACCAR INCORPORATEDManufacturer number 03KW4/403-CView on NHTSA.gov
03V045000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Feb 13, 2003
9,890 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 EXPERIENCING CORROSION AT THE 7-WAY TRAILER CONNECTION. THIS CAUSES INTERMITTENT FLASHING/FLICKERING OF THE TRAILER LIGHTS.
The risk: THIS COULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND/OR POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD.
The 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 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 03KW1View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Dec 21, 2009

I BROUGHT A SET OF COOPER STEER TIRES FOR MY SEMI TRUCK FROM A FLYING J IN BLACK RIVER FALLS WI. THE TIRES SHORTLY AFTER STARTED WEARING UNEVENLY, CUPPING BADLY AND SEEM TO BE FALLING APART. THIS BEGAN AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30K MILES, I TRIED EFFORTLESSLY TO CONTACT COOPER TO INFORM OF THE DEFECTS AND ISSUES AND WAS BLOWN OFF. I CONTACTED THE FLYING J I PURCHASED THEM FROM AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE RECALLED AND THAT COOPER HAD COME AND TAKEN THE TIRES FROM THE STORE AND THAT NEITHER THE FLYING J OR COOPER TIRE HAD ANY INTENTION OR THOUGHT ABOUT CONTACTING THE PURCHASERS OF THESE TIRES. AFTER I SPOKE TO SOMEONE IN THERE CORPORATE OFFICE THEY WERE NOT RECALLED TIRES THEY WERE SIMPLY JUST KNOWN "FOR PROBLEMS" AND THEY REFUSED TO EXPLAIN WHY NO ONE WAS CONTACTED. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THEY WOULD GIVE ME 75% CREDIT FOR THE TIRES THAT THEY KNEW HAD SAFETY ISSUES AND WOULD BE GIVEN A NATIONAL DISCOUNT I AGREED AND ASSUMED I WOULD FOLLOW UP EVEN MORE SO WITH COOPER. WHEN I CONTACTED COOPER AGAIN VIA EMAIL AND EXPLAINED THIS TO THEM AGAIN I WAS TOLD THAT THEY DON'T WARRANTY SAFETY AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO CONTACT A DEALER FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. THESE TIRES ARE A MAJOR SAFETY RISK TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND AFTER I WAS TOLD BY THE FLYING J PERSONNEL IN THERE CORPORATE OFFICE THAT THESE ARE THE 13TH SET OF STEER TIRES JUST FROM THAT LOCATION ALONE THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE DUE TO THE SAME DEFECTS I THINK THAT WARRANTS SOMEONE DOING OR SAYING SOMETHING!!!!! THINK HOW MANY ACCIDENTS THESE TIRES MAY HAVE CAUSED OR COULD HAVE CAUSED RECENTLY, HOW MANY FAMILIES MUST LOSE LOVED ONES DUE TO COOPERS OUTRIGHT NEGLIGENCE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10296595
Incident
Dec 5, 2009
Mileage
712,026 mi

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

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—
2002Viewing130—
2001150—
2000260—
1999280—
1998340—
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.