RoadVitals

2020 Kenworth T680

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.
8
Latest Dec 8, 2024
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.
8
Latest Feb 23, 2024
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 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Kenworth T680, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), brakes and driver assistance categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 63 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

  • Powertrain (other)555.6%
  • Brakes222.2%
  • Driver assistance222.2%

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

8 campaigns cover this model year

View all 8

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
24V145000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:RESERVOIR/TANK

Feb 23, 2024
936 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2009-2021 Kenworth C500, 2012-2021 Kenworth T440, 2009-2015 Kenworth T660, 2015-2024 Kenworth T680, 2009-2024 Kenworth T800, 2009-2020 Kenworth T370, 2014-2023 Kenworth T880, 2011-2016 Kenworth T470, 2023 Kenworth T480, and 2009-2019 Kenworth W900 vehicles. The air tanks have an insufficient volume of air for the brake system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
The risk: Insufficient air volume can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will install the correct volume air tanks, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 12, 2024. Additional owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2025. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR's number for this recall is 24KWD.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 24KWDView on NHTSA.gov
22V277000

STEERING:CRITICAL FASTENERS

Apr 25, 2022
17,641 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Kenworth T270, T370, T440, T470, T660, T680, T880, T800, W900, W990; and 2018-2020 Peterbilt 330, 337, 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, 567, and 579 vehicles. The Dana D-Series axle steer arm fasteners that attach the steering arm to the steering knuckle may fail.
The risk: Fastener failure can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy: Dealers will replace and torque the steer arm fasteners, at no charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2022. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 22 PBB and 22 KWB.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 22 PBB and 22 KWBView on NHTSA.gov
21V00N000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Dec 29, 2021
1,107 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Peterbilt 567, 579, 2021-2022 Peterbilt 536, 2017-2021 Kenworth T880, 2016-2022 Kenworth T680, 2018-2020 Kenworth T440, 2020 Kenworth T270, and 2021 Kenworth T280 vehicles. The methane detection system will not function if the system loses power.
The risk: The operator may be unaware of a system malfunction or the presence of excessive methane levels, increasing the risk of injury or fire.
The remedy: Dealers will re-wire the warning alarm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 1, 2022. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220, and Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 21KWH and 21PBN.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 21KWH and 21PBNView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 8, 2024

Right-hand shift stalk between the shifter and the transmission is causing the vehicle to become disabled while stopped and unable to go from forward to reverse. Also getting SPN 639 pop-up when communication has been lost between the engine control module (ECM) and SAE J1939 data link. The check engine light illuminates, and the ECM immediately logs the fault code. Have to depress brake pedal while stopped & cycle gear selector to get fault to clear to start engine . Message also displayed Transmission Fault Repair Required Find Service Center . Also had new spring clutch replaced in May of 2024. Truck has 525k miles on it .

NHTSA ID
11629546
Incident
Dec 6, 2024
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 4, 2024

The clutch Spring on these trucks have been failing heavily. We have a couple more of these trucks and they all have the same issue. the housing for the clutch springs are cracked or damaged at less than 500,000 miles on a heavy duty truck. These clutches are supposed to last over 1MM miles. Its not a coincidence that every truck we have is failing at the same mileage. These clutches are made defective from the manufacturer. Its also a coincidence that the replacement clutches are not the original design and are of a newer design and brand. THIS is RED FLAGS!!!!

NHTSA ID
11628937
Incident
Dec 4, 2024
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 30, 2024

My circumstances are EXACTLY as described in a release 12/19/2019 Tech Service Bulletin A002 I experienced the vibration in my steering wheel that caused me to be suspect that there was something wrong in the drive train. Upon further investigation. I noticed that an oil seal was leaking, and when I dug a little deeper, I noticed gears that were broken and shaved down and then stopped at a Kenworth corporate location upon which they told me that I needed to purchase the entire unit to fix it. I then decided that I was going to add some differential oil and drive at a speed of 45 miles an hour, which did not cause any vibration to Chicago, which was roughly 3 hours away from my location in Michigan upon which I would have more resources at my disposal. It is then that I learned of the technical service bulletin relating to my issue. I then took it to CIT trucks which is where I learned that you do not have to buy the complete unit that. The parts are available to be purchased to fix the issue. They did, however say that they would process the claim on behalf of this technical service bulletin. They advised me that the individual that they got a hold of seem to have an attitude about it and sometimes this happens whereas other times they will get a hold of somebody that will make an exception. Apparently they stated my situation is two months out of warranty from when my tractor was placed into service but it’s original owner. I am not in a position due to other issues that I have experience with the truck since purchasing it in June that I can afford this but more importantly, there is a known issue with the same exact identical problem that I experienced. I need help with my situation they need to be held accountable for what has gone wrong because it is not my fault.

NHTSA ID
11617225
Incident
Sep 26, 2024
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 26, 2024

The clutch has a loose spring, Fork is damaged. Throwout bearing worn.

NHTSA ID
11604756
Incident
May 20, 2024
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 26, 2024

Throw out bearing failed prematurely. Truck only has 491,000 miles and has had a catastrophic failure resulting in a $29,000 repair bill. I have 4 other trucks like this and they are all showing signs of the same thing.

NHTSA ID
11604753
Incident
Jul 23, 2024
Filed Mar 18, 2024

When driving, the truck will not go into gear. For example, if I am trying to shift gears in the automatic, it will stay in that gear. When traveling down the highway, it stays in a gear. I have to find a safe place to pull over and put it in neutral, then proceed. I have already changed the right hand stalk once before and it didnt go into reverse, that was the reason for changing it. I get codes saying that it needs to ve changed again and it was just recently put on.

NHTSA ID
11577946
Incident
Mar 18, 2024
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Oct 28, 2022

This truck was breaking automatically, and no one was front of the truck, it was scary, I almost crashed with loaded trailer on my back, it has done it multiple times, and my traction light and stability light is on all the time and adaptive cruise control had turned off completely abs light comes on and off frequently,

NHTSA ID
11491361
Incident
Oct 27, 2022
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Apr 4, 2020

ON SUNDAY, THE 22ND OF MARCH, I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON US HWY 45. THE SKY WAS CLEARING AND THE ROAD WAS DRY. I HAD MY CRUISE SET TO 65 MPH. AS I APPROACHED AN OVERPASS, THE DISTANCE SENSOR ON THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK MISTOOK THE SHADOW OF THE OVERPASS AS A STOPPED VEHICLE. WARNING LIGHTS AND BUZZERS WENT OFF AND THE VEHICLE DID A HARD BRAKE. LUCKILY, THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND ME. I TOOK IT TO OUR SHOP AND THE SYSTEM WAS CLEANED. FOUR DAYS LATER, THE SENSOR MISTOOK AN OVERHEAD INTERSTATE SIGN FOR A STOPPED VEHICLE. AGAIN, THE WARNING LIGHTS AND BUZZERS AND A HARD BRAKE. KENWORTH TECHS WERE SENT OUT TO OUR SHOP TO MAKE REPAIRS. EVERY ONE OF OUR DRIVERS THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS IS DANGEROUS. IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN FOLLOWING ME, THEY WOULD HAVE REAR-ENDED MY TRAILER.

NHTSA ID
11320219
Incident
Mar 22, 2020
Mileage
47,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

43-088

ENGINE

This optional software update is now available for chassis equipped with EMY 2021B-2023 PACCAR MX-11 and MX-13 engines. This update provides customers with additional time to service their trucks before a DEF-related derate occurs. The software is being offered to customers in alignment with recently updated regulatory agency guidance.

41-029

ENGINE

Incorrect air filters may be inadvertently installed in certain chassis equipped with under-hood Donaldson air filter housings.

E311

ENGINE

The Condition, Chassis Affected, Service Action, Warranty, and Procedure sections have been updated to include the latest prognostics bulletin verbiage.

43-088

ENGINE

"The software is not yet available. The bulletin will be updated when more information is available."

26-035

POWER TRAIN

Updated Eaton's TAIB0885EN Bulletin link.

43-088

ENGINE

"An optional software update will be available on 07/06/2026 for chassis equipped with EMY 2021B-2023PACCAR MX-11 and MX-13 engines. This update provides customers with additional time to service theirtrucks before a DEF-related derate occurs. The software is being offered to customers in alignment withrecently updated regulatory agency guidance."

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 T680 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027020—
2026020—
2025090—
2024470—
2023990—
20222100—
2021070—
2020Viewing880—
2019891—
20181115158.6
20179111—
20166161—
20158111—
20141013049.9
20130130—
2012020—
2011020—

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.