2005 Kenworth T800 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Kenworth T800, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Body & structure116.7%
- Heating & air conditioning116.7%
- Electrical116.7%
- Engine116.7%
- Powertrain (other)116.7%
- Suspension116.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
2004 AND 2005 T800 KENWORTH TRUCKS DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WHEN BACKING UP THERE IS A TWISTING OF THE ENGINE AND FRAME.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE TWISTING ALSO CAUSED THE COOLING FAN TO STRIKE THE FAN SHROUD CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE FAN AND LATER, FAILURE ALONG WITH THE RADIATOR. REPEATED FAILURE OF THE A/C CONDENSERS. THERE WERE SEVERAL FAILURES OF THE DRIVE-SHAFT CAUSING THE BOLTS ON THE REAR YOKE TO SHEAR OFF. THE DRIVE SHAFT FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE WHILE BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY. *SC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
2004 AND 2005 T800 KENWORTH TRUCKS DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WHEN BACKING UP THERE IS A TWISTING OF THE ENGINE AND FRAME.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE TWISTING ALSO CAUSED THE COOLING FAN TO STRIKE THE FAN SHROUD CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE FAN AND LATER, FAILURE ALONG WITH THE RADIATOR. REPEATED FAILURE OF THE A/C CONDENSERS. THERE WERE SEVERAL FAILURES OF THE DRIVE-SHAFT CAUSING THE BOLTS ON THE REAR YOKE TO SHEAR OFF. THE DRIVE SHAFT FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE WHILE BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY. *SC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KENWORTH T800. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLAMPS THAT HOLD THE BATTERY CABLES, WHICH LEAD FROM THE BATTERY TO THE STARTER, WERE NOT ADJUSTED PROPERLY. AS A RESULT, THE CABLES WERE CHAFFING. A FIRE IGNITED AND SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE AND CAB OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND VEHICLE RE-BUILDER DIAGNOSED THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 250,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
2004 AND 2005 T800 KENWORTH TRUCKS DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WHEN BACKING UP THERE IS A TWISTING OF THE ENGINE AND FRAME.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE TWISTING ALSO CAUSED THE COOLING FAN TO STRIKE THE FAN SHROUD CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE FAN AND LATER, FAILURE ALONG WITH THE RADIATOR. REPEATED FAILURE OF THE A/C CONDENSERS. THERE WERE SEVERAL FAILURES OF THE DRIVE-SHAFT CAUSING THE BOLTS ON THE REAR YOKE TO SHEAR OFF. THE DRIVE SHAFT FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE WHILE BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY. *SC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
2004 AND 2005 T800 KENWORTH TRUCKS DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WHEN BACKING UP THERE IS A TWISTING OF THE ENGINE AND FRAME.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE TWISTING ALSO CAUSED THE COOLING FAN TO STRIKE THE FAN SHROUD CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE FAN AND LATER, FAILURE ALONG WITH THE RADIATOR. REPEATED FAILURE OF THE A/C CONDENSERS. THERE WERE SEVERAL FAILURES OF THE DRIVE-SHAFT CAUSING THE BOLTS ON THE REAR YOKE TO SHEAR OFF. THE DRIVE SHAFT FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE WHILE BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY. *SC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKARA RECALL- OPERATING DUMP TRUCK ON A LOCAL ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. DECELERATING TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT. AS THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN, THE LIGHT CHANGED AND AS I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE THE REAR OF THE TRUCK CAME UP OFF THE GROUND. WHEN I GOT OUT TO INSPECT WHAT HAPPENED, THE ENTIRE REAR AXEL DISCONNECTED FROM THE TRUCK AND WAS ON THE GROUND.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .