RoadVitals

2027 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.
1
+1 complaint in 30 days
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 Aug 21, 2026
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 2027 Kenworth T680, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and steering categories. 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

  • Brakes133.3%
  • Electrical133.3%
  • Steering133.3%

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

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
26V544000

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

Aug 21, 2026
811 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2027 Peterbilt 567, 579, 589 and 2027 Kenworth T680, T880, and W990 vehicles. The seat ventilation harness may be missing heat-shrink, resulting in a short circuit.
The risk: A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the harnesses, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 20, 2026. Owners may contact Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220 or Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR's number for this recall is 26PACE.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 26PACEView on NHTSA.gov
26V485000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE/IPDM

Jul 27, 2026
5,925 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2027 Peterbilt and Kenworth vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. The power distribution center (PDC) box may be contaminated with oil, which could result in a loss of drive power, Antilock Brake System (ABS) functionality, exterior lighting, windshield wipers, or the defogging system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems," 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems," and 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: A loss of lighting, windshield wipers, ABS function, or a loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect the PDC serial numbers, and replace the PDC boxes as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 23, 2026. Owners may contact Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220 and Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR's number for this recall is 26PACD.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 26PACDView on NHTSA.gov
26V442000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:QUICK RELEASE VALVE

Jul 8, 2026
8 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2026-2027 Peterbilt 579 and 2027 Kenworth T680 tractors. The trailer air connection quick release (QR) valve in the air brake system may have been incorrectly installed, which can cause the trailer to become unstable after the driver applies the brakes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
The risk: An incorrectly installed quick release valve that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Paccar inspected and reinstalled the valves, as necessary, free of charge. All affected tractors have been repaired and therefore no owner notification letters are necessary. Owners may contact Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220 and Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR's number for this recall is 26PACC.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 26PACCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Sep 11, 2026

On XXX, while operating a 2027 Kenworth T680, VIN [XXX], at approximately 64 mph on [XXX], the truck experienced a sudden electrical and control-system failure while in motion. The steering became extremely difficult or unresponsive, and the wheels or brakes appeared to lock, creating an immediate risk of a serious collision. I was able to bring the vehicle to a stop without striking another vehicle. Following the incident, the instrument panel displayed multiple “Data Error” messages, an ABS warning, traction-control warning, Predictive Cruise Fault, and missing engine RPM, oil, coolant, torque and boost information. The electronic parking brake would not release even though both air systems displayed approximately 100 PSI and the transmission displayed Neutral. The truck could not be safely driven and was towed to Youngstown Kenworth Inc, [XXX]. The dealership has verbally advised that the ECM, or control module identified by the repair shop as the ECM, is not connecting or communicating with the truck. The vehicle remains out of service pending diagnosis and repair. The truck’s manufacturing label is dated XXX. NHTSA recall 26V485000, PACCAR campaign 26PACD, covers certain 2027 [XXX] T680 tractors produced from XXX. That recall concerns possible oil contamination in the Power Distribution Center, which can cause loss of power to the engine, ABS, exterior lighting, windshield wipers or defrost system. I request that NHTSA document and investigate this incident and determine whether the loss of electrical communication, steering assistance and braking or wheel control is connected to recall 26V485000 or another safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11763614
Incident
Sep 9, 2026

Manufacturer communications

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

E343

ENGINE

An exhaust manifold slip joint seal kit is now available for EPA 2017-2024 PACCAR MX-13 engines.

01-094

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

[SmartAir / KIMS] A/C systems may shut down prematurely when voltage levels drop below a certain threshold.

14-037

An improved transmission bracket is now available for replacement on certain chassis equipped with a PACCAR TX-12 transmission, featuring a more durable design for enhanced long-term performance.

41-029

ENGINE

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

99-052

There is an update to the Base Emissions Warranty Limits table [PR1.1]and general certification information in certain Engine Model Year (EMY) 2026 MX-11 and MX-13 Operator’s Manuals.

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
2027Viewing130—
2026020—
2025090—
2024570—
2023990—
20222100—
2021070—
2020880—
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.