RoadVitals

2006 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.
4
Latest Sep 19, 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.
13
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.
2
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

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Kenworth T800, most frequently naming the electrical and brakes categories. 13 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 23 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

  • Electrical375.0%
  • Brakes125.0%

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

13 campaigns cover this model year

View all 13

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
08V487000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

Sep 23, 2008
4,883 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR IS RECALLING 4,883 MY 2006-2009 KENWORTH T600, T660, T800, W900, T2000 AND MY 2008-2009 PETERBILT 365, 367, 379, 384, 386, 387, 388 AND 389 TRUCKS. INADEQUATE STIFFNESS OF THE DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) BRACKET COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE DPF FROM THE CHASSIS.
The risk: A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR IF ANOTHER VEHICLE STRIKES THE DPF ON THE ROADWAY.
The remedy: PACCAR IS WORKING WITH CATERPILLAR TO REPAIR THESE VEHICLES (PLEASE SEE 08E041). OWNERS MAY CONTACT CATERPILLAR AT 1-800-447-4986 OR KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440 OR PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4196.
PACCAR INCORPORATEDManufacturer number 08KWD 908GView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE09013ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

REAR BRAKE AIR CHAMBER MTG BRACKETS

Opened Feb 27, 2009
Closed Jul 6, 2009

ON JUNE 23, 2009 PACCAR NOTIFIED ODI THAT 3,423 KENWORTH T2000, T800, T600, W900, AND T660 TRUCKS, MODEL YEARS 2004 - 2009, EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX BRAKES, WIDE BASE LOW PROFILE TIRES AND AIRGLIDE (AG) 400/460 REAR SUSPENSIONS ARE BEING RECALLED.CERTAIN OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED FATIGUE CRACKS IN THE BRAKE CAM TUBE MOUNTING OR AIR CHAMBER MOUNTING FLANGES BRACKET ADJACENT TO THE ATTACHMENT WELDS. IF LEFT UNREPAIRED, THE CRACKS CAN CAUSE A COMPLETE FRACTURE OF THE CAM TUBE, WHICH COULD DISABLE THE AFFECTED BRAKE AND RISK INCREASING VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCES UNDER HIGH PRESSURE BRAKE APPLICATIONS AND DECREASE PARKING BRAKE CAPABILITY.THIS CONFIGURATION HAS EXPERIENCED FAILURES AT A HIGHER RATE THAN SIMILAR VEHICLES WITH OTHER TYPES OF SUSPENSIONS AND BRAKE INSTALLATION CLOCKING. PACCAR WILL ALSO SEND AN OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SUSPENSIONS OTHER THAN THE AG 400/460, WHICH WILL PRESCRIBE A PERIODIC INSPECTION OF THE COMPONENTS AND IF A CRACK IS DISCOVERED, OFFER THE OWNERS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A FREE REPAIR.THIS POLICY WILL BE IN EFFECT UNTIL JULY 15, 2014. COPIES OF THE RECALL AND THE OWNER NOTIFICATION ARE ATTACHED.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
PE08011ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

TRAILER LIGHT PLUG FAILURE

Opened Feb 8, 2008
Closed May 5, 2008

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF KENWORTH PRODUCTS BASED ON THEIR FIELD COMMUNICATION TIB # 34-31.KENWORTH INTRODUCED THE QCS II STA-DRY TRAILER CABLE IN MAY 2006.THE TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN STEMMED FROM FIELD FEEDBACK THAT INDICATED A FLEXIBILITY PROBLEM WITH THE QCS II CABLE CONNECTION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF LIGHTING TO THE TRAILER.ODI BELIEVES A LOSS OF LIGHTING WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE TRAILER'S VISIBILITY. FURTHER, THE RESULTING LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS IS INHERENTLY CRITICAL TO HIGHWAY SAFETY, DAY OR NIGHT.KENWORTH HAS UPGRADED THE TIB REPAIR TO A SAFETY RECALL.KENWORTH DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET BETWEEN THE BACK OF THE QCS II MOLDED BOOT AND THE FRAME BRACKET, THUS PROVIDING ABETTER CABLE CONNECTION. THE DEFECT NOTIFICATION WAS SUBMITTED ON 4/25/08 (COPY ATTACHED).TRAILERS BUILT BETWEEN MAY 24 AND NOVEMBER 21, 2006 (MODEL YEAR 2007 TRAILERS) WILL BE REMEDIED.THE POPULATION TO BE REMEDIED IS 3,573 IN THE UNITED STATES.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMLed to recall 08V190000

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Sep 19, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KENWORTH T800. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY UNLESS EXCESSIVE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKES WERE PERFORMING BELOW SPECIFICATIONS. THE BRAKES WERE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE SINCE RECURRED REPEATEDLY ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES TO BE REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10426275
Incident
Jun 1, 2010
Electrical
Filed Aug 30, 2010
Fire reported

BOOSTER CABLE ROUTING AND CABLE MOUNTING ON 2002 KENWORTH FOUND TO BE CAUSE OF FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10352786
Incident
Mar 19, 2009
Electrical
Filed Aug 30, 2010
Fire reported

BOOSTER CABLE ROUTING AND CABLE MOUNTING ON 2002 KENWORTH FOUND TO BE CAUSE OF FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10352785
Incident
Nov 27, 2008
Electrical
Filed Aug 30, 2010
Fire reported

BOOSTER CABLE ROUTING AND CABLE MOUNTING ON 2006 KENWORTH FOUND TO BE CAUSE OF FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10352782
Incident
Oct 15, 2008

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—
2006Viewing4132—
20053121—
20043120—
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.