RoadVitals

2004 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.
3
Latest Jun 2, 2011
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.
12
Latest Jun 30, 2009
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.
3
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Kenworth T800, most frequently naming the driver assistance and electrical categories. 12 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 14 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

  • Driver assistance150.0%
  • Electrical150.0%

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

12 campaigns cover this model year

View all 12

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
09V239000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

Jun 30, 2009
3,423 units potentially affected
The defect: KENWORTH IS RECALLING 3,423 MY 2004-2009 T2000, T800,T600, W900 AND T660 VEHICLES. INCREASED BRAKE EXCITATION IN A CERTAIN VEHICLE CONFIGURATION WHICH INCLUDES BENDIX DRUM BRAKES, WIDE BASE LOW PROFILE SINGLE TIRES, AND AN AG400 OR AG460 REAR SUSPENSION, DUE TO ITS UNIQUE BRAKE CLOCKING AND CAM TUBE LENGTH, CAN CAUSE FATIGUE AND CRACKING TO BRAKE ASSEMBLY COMPONENTS.
The risk: CRACKING CAN CAUSE A COMPLETE FRACTURE OF THE CAM TUBE, WHICH COULD INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND DECREASE PARKING BRAKE HOLD CAPABILITY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR AXLE BRAKES ASSEMBLY, REPLACE CRACKED REAR AXLE BRAKES ASSEMBLY COMPONENTS WHERE REQUIRED, AND INSTALL CAM TUBE SUPPORT BRACKETS ON ALL REAR AXLE WHEEL ENDS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN OR BEFORE JULY 25, 2009. OWNER MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.
PACCAR INCORPORATEDManufacturer number 09KW7View on NHTSA.gov
08V485000

SUSPENSION

Sep 24, 2008
130 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR IS RECALLING 130 MY 2004-2009 T2000, T800, T600, W900 AND T660 KENWORTH TRUCKS BUILT WITH AN AG400 REAR SUSPENSION, LONG STROKE BRAKE CHAMBERS, AND WIDE BASE TIRES (SUPER SINGLES). THESE VEHICLES MAY DEVELOP AN INCREASE IN LATERAL AND VERTICAL AXLE MOVEMENT. THIS MOVEMENT MAY CAUSE PART OR PARTS OF THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY (BRAKE CAM TUBE SUPPORT, BRAKE CHAMBER BRACKET, BRAKE CHAMBER, BRAKE SPIDER) TO DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN THE FAILURE OF THE PART OR PARTS WITHIN THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY.
The risk: A FAILURE MAY REDUCE VEHICLE BRAKE PERFORMANCE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CAM TUBE SUPPORT BRACKETS ON ALL OF THE REAR AXLE WHEEL ENDS. INSPECT THE REAR AXLE BRAKE ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE IT IF CRACKED. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.
PACCAR INCORPORATEDManufacturer number 08KWBView on NHTSA.gov
07V107000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Mar 16, 2007
4,592 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE WIRING, PARTS, OR TRANSMISSION PROGRAMMING REQUIRED FOR THE AUTO NEUTRAL FEATURE TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED WERE EITHER NOT INSTALLED, CONNECTED, OR PROGRAMMED PROPERLY.
The risk: IF ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL WHEN LEFT IN DRIVE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE SET ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE COULD MOVE WITHOUT WARNING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE AFFECTED VEHICLES TO ENSURE THE AUTO NEUTRAL FEATURE FUNCTIONS PROPERLY AND, IF NEEDED, WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 9, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440.
PACCAR INCORPORATEDManufacturer number 07KW3View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Filed Jun 2, 2011
Fire reported

2004 KENWORTH T800, UNIT 1 WAS TRAVELING EAST ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER IN THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE. UNIT 1 STATED SHE SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE GLOVE BOX AREA. UNIT 1 STOPPED AND GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE. UNIT 1 BECAME ENGULFED AND WAS PUT OUT BY WATER TRUCK IN THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0277-90)

NHTSA ID
10404975
Incident
Apr 19, 2011
Electrical
Filed Apr 29, 2011
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KENWORTH T800B TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED THE GEAR WAS IN THE PARK POSITION WITH THE ENGINE IN OPERATION WHEN SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES EMITTING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT, CAMPAIGN 04V580000(ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 240,000.

NHTSA ID
10398226
Incident
Feb 14, 1992
Mileage
240,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 21, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported

SUDDEN FULL UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION BROUGHT ON BY A REAR END COLLISION WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. DUMP TRUCK WITH ALLISON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION TOWER BUTTONS WERE UNRESPONSIVE AND TRUCK WAS ESTIMATED BY WITNESS TO JUMP TO ALMOST IMMEDIATE 60 PLUS. DID NOT STOP UNTIL KEY WAS REMOVED. VIRGINIA DOT INSPECTION APPROX. 2 HOURS LATER FOUND NO PROBLEM AND TRUCK RESPONDED NORMALLY(EXCEPT FOR ACCIDENT DAMAGE) AFTER IT WAS RESTARTED. THERE WAS A SUDDEN SURGE IN THE ENGINE FOR APPROX. 2-3 SECONDS AFTER I WAS REAR ENDED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10118239
Incident
Apr 20, 2005
Mileage
70,000 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.

34-085

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Information Only – Vehicles may have the connector seals on the wheel speed sensor incorrectly installed, which may lead to water intrusion and corrosion in some vehicles.

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.

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—
2004Viewing3120—
2003170—
2002060—
20011100—
20001100—
19994120—
1998180—
1997190—
1996180—
1995250—
1994230—
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.