RoadVitals

2003 Kenworth T600

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.
2
Latest Apr 24, 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.
5
Latest Apr 12, 2004
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.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Kenworth T600, most frequently naming the airbags, brakes and electrical categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 6 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

  • Airbags133.3%
  • Brakes133.3%
  • Electrical133.3%

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

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
04V174000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Apr 12, 2004
25 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH EATON FULLER ULTRASONIC TRANSMISSIONS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT." THE CAB TRANSMISSION HARNESS COULD HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY WIRED DURING PRODUCTION INSTALLATION.
The risk: THIS COULD CAUSE THE NEUTRAL START FEATURE OF THE TRANSMISSION TO DISABLE ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO START IN GEAR INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE CONNECTIONS IN THE WIRING HARNESS IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.
PACCAR INCORPORATEDManufacturer number 04KW1View on NHTSA.gov
03V285000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Aug 5, 2003
117 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, THE MAIN CAB WIRING HARNESS WAS INCORRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE 50 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER INSTEAD OF THE 135 AMP BREAKER.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND THE WIRING WILL BE CORRECTED IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 16, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.
PACCAR INCORPORATEDManufacturer number 03KW7View 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

Recent owner complaints

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

Airbags
Filed Apr 24, 2009
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KENWORTH T600. WHILE DRIVING 60MPH IN LIGHT RAIN, SNOW AND HEAVY WIND WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE STRONG WIND PUSHED THE VEHICLE OVER ONTO THE DRIVER SIDE, BEGIN SLIDING DOWN A HILL AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACTS HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEELS AND WAS CUT BY BROKEN GLASS. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO KICK THE PASSENGER FRONT WINDOW OUT TO ESCAPE FROM VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL IN AN AMBULANCE. DURING THE CRASH, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK WHEN AIR BAGS DO NOT DEPLOY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,241 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,241.

NHTSA ID
10266609
Incident
Apr 6, 2009
Mileage
76,241 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jul 24, 2003

FAILURE OF JAKE BRAKES ON 2003 KENWORTH T-600. THE JAKE BRAKES ON MY KENWORTH FAILED TO COME ON. I DIRECTED IT TO THE KENWORTH DEALERSHIP IN CARLISLE, PA. WHO AFTER MANY HOURS OF DIAGNOSISING DETERMINED THAT THE JAKE BRAKES HAD FAILED BECAUSE A WIRE HAD COME LOOSE AT THE BACK OF THE AM/FM RADIO!!!! THE BRAKES CAN FAIL BECAUSE OF A LOOSE WIRE @ THE AM/FM RADIO. GOD HELP THE POOR SOUL IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK COMING DOWN A 6% GRADE RELYING ON HIS JAKES TO SLOW HIM DOWN WHICH FAIL BECAUSE OF A LOOSE WIRE BEHIND THE RADIO. NUT!*AK

NHTSA ID
10029098
Incident
Jul 24, 2002
Mileage
175,000 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.

DOR-W5T2V-01

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

This SKU is a Climate Control Module. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect alignment pins and knobs. The alignment pins may be weak which cause them to break and knob material may be weak which could cause them to break. Breaking of the alignment pins or knob could prevent adjustment of the climate control system.

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 T600 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020000—
2019011—
2018011—
2017011—
2013210—
2011010—
2010010—
2009051—
20081113—
20071143—
2006181—
2005480—
20040100—
2003Viewing250—
2002150—
2001070—
2000070—
1999190—
1998040—
1997240—
1996050—
1995010—
1991030—
1990120—

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.