RoadVitals

1994 Kenworth T800

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 Dec 8, 2007
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 Mar 31, 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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Kenworth T800, most frequently naming the brakes and tires & wheels 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

  • Brakes150.0%
  • Tires & wheels150.0%

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
03V126000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

Mar 31, 2003
45 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR P 18X7 BRAKES WITH 36" BRAKE CHAMBERS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE TRUCKS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A COMBINED AIR RESERVOIR VOLUME LESS THAN 12 TIMES THE COMBINED VOLUME OF ALL SERVICE BRAKE CHAMBERS.
The risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD AN ADDITIONAL TANK OR CHANGE ONE OF THE EXISTING AIR TANKS TO A LARGER SIZE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 5, 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 03KW3View on NHTSA.gov
01V142000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Apr 24, 2001
14 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR FG941 STEER AXLES. THE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR) WAS DETERMINED INCORRECTLY AND OVER-STATED ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL. WITH THE INCORRECT GAWR LISTED, THESE LABELS DO NOT MEET THE CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, "REQUIREMENTS FOR MANUFACTURERS OF MOTOR VEHICLES." VEHICLES WILL BE REMEDIED EITHER BY ASSIGNING THE PROPER WEIGHT RATING OR, IF POSSIBLE, BY CHANGING THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS TO MEET THE CURRENTLY ASSIGNED WEIGHT RATING.
The risk: THESE VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS.
The remedy: VEHICLES WILL BE REMEDIED EITHER BY ASSIGNING THE PROPER WEIGHT RATING OR, IF POSSIBLE, BY CHANGING THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS TO MEET THE CURRENTLY ASSIGNED WEIGHT RATING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 22, 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 701-J/01KW04View on NHTSA.gov
95V098000

SEATS

May 16, 1995
3,649 units potentially affected
The defect: AN INTERFERENCE CONDITION BETWEEN THE BACK CUSHION AND THE RECLINER HANDLE CAN CAUSE AN INCOMPLETE LATCHING OF THE RECLINER MECHANISM.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE SEAT BACK TO "RATCHET" REARWARD. REARWARD MOVEMENT OF THE SEAT BACK INCREASES TO WHERE THE SEATBACK HAS MOVED TO A FULLY RECLINED HORIZONTAL POSITION. COMPLETE LOSS OF BACK SUPPORT COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW RECLINER LATCH SPRING AND HANDLE.
PACCAR, INCORPORATEDView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Dec 8, 2007

A NORMAL DAY AT THE FARM I START MY TRUCK TO LET IT WARM UP. I LEAVE THE TRUCK AND COME BACK SEVERAL MINUTES LATER RELEASING MY PARKING BRAKES AND THING SEEMS NORMAL. I PULL FORWARD TOWARD A CORAL AND HIT MY BRAKES AND THERE WAS NONE. AS WAS ABOUT TO HIT CORAL I FINALLY GOT PARKING BRAKES ON. COME TO FIND OUT MY BRAKE PEDAL WAS STUCK. AND MY NEIGHBORS KENWORH TRUCK BRAKE PEDAL ALSO HAD STUCK WE HAD TO CLEAN THE BUTTON IN THE FLOORBOARDS THAT THE PEDAL PUSHES THE AIR VALVES A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM LUCKY NO CRASHES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10211203
Incident
Nov 28, 2007
Mileage
756,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Feb 1, 2002

THIS WAS A STEER TIRE ON A BIG RIG THE POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY COULD HAVE BEEN CATSTROPHIC.*AK (DOT NUMBER: MJ4K39AW16 TIRESIZE: GY285-75-2)

NHTSA ID
757643
Incident
Jan 31, 2002

Manufacturer communications

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

TIB-13-040

SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE

KENWORTH: SOME TRUCKS FAILED TO MEET COMPANY STANDARDS FOR AIR VOLUME LIFT AXLE AND THE COMPANY WILL INCREASE AIR VOLUME FOR WORTHWHILE IMPROVEMENT TO EXCEED GOVERNMENT FMVSS 121. MODEL T800, W900. *PE

TIB-E-055

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

KENWORTH: OIL COLLECTION AT CAC INTAKE PIPE IS CAUSED BY AN IMBALANCE IN TURBOCHARGER PRESSURES. MODELS T660, T800, T700, AND W900. *PE

TIB-E011

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

PACCAR: ENGINEERING STANDARDS HAVE CHANGED AND THERE ARE NOW ENGINES WITH HEAT TREATED BOLTS. *RM

TIB-E-009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

PACCAR: A SOFTWARE UPDATE IS CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. *RM

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 T800 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025010—
2024040—
2023010—
2022010—
2021010—
2020090—
2019080—
20181110—
2017080—
20161120—
20150120—
20140120—
2013080—
20121100—
20111130—
20101110—
20092191—
20081252—
20071213—
20064132—
20053121—
20043120—
2003170—
2002060—
20011100—
20001100—
19994120—
1998180—
1997190—
1996180—
1995250—
1994Viewing230—
1993010—
1992010—
1991040—
1990030—
1989030—
1988020—
1987020—
1986000—

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.