RoadVitals

2021 Kenworth W900

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
Latest Mar 20, 2024
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 Oct 26, 2023
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 2021 Kenworth W900. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 34 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.

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
23V717000

SEAT BELTS

Oct 26, 2023
3,841 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020 Kenworth T660, 2018-2024 Kenworth T800 and W900 vehicles. An additional spacer may have been added to the joint that connects the seat to the seat belt tether and buckle, causing an unsecured connection.
The risk: An unsecured seat belt connection may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and remove the additional spacer and replace the bolt, as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 20, 2024. Owners may contact PACCAR's customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR's number for this recall is 23KWK.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 23KWKView on NHTSA.gov
21V080000

ENGINE

Feb 17, 2021
132 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Kenworth T680, T880, W990, T800, W900 and Peterbilt 579, 567, 389, 367 vehicles equipped with a Cummins X15 engine. The capscrews that attach the flywheel to the crankshaft may have been improperly torqued, allowing the flywheel to detach.
The risk: A detached flywheel can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, driveline pieces may be ejected from the engine compartment, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will properly torque the capscrews and the engine will also be inspected for damage and, if necessary, repaired, free of charge. The recall began on March 29, 2021. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-425-828-5888 (Kenworth) or 1-940-591-4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 21KWA and 21PBB.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 21KWA / 21PBBView on NHTSA.gov
20V506000

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

Aug 26, 2020
1,097 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Peterbilt 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, 567 and Kenworth T800, T880, W900, W990 vehicles equipped with Watson and Chalin steerable lift axle suspension systems (model SL2065). The axles may have lower rear pivot bolts that are not long enough to sufficiently engage the locking feature of the corresponding nuts.
The risk: The short screws can cause the hardware to separate from the suspension system and become road hazards, increasing the risk of a crash and/or injury.
The remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect suspect chassis and replace the pivot bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2020. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall is 20PBE and 20KWC.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 20PBE and 20KWCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Filed Mar 20, 2024

Transmission issues

NHTSA ID
11578489
Incident
Feb 14, 2024

Manufacturer communications

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

43-086

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE

This optional software update is expected to be available after 10/30/2026 for chassis equipped with EMY 2019-2021A PACCAR MX-11 engines. This update provides customers with additional time to service their trucks before a DEF-related derate occurs. The software is being offered to customers in alignment with recently updated regulatory agency guidance.

E329

ENGINE

Certain chassis equipped with an engine model year 2019 - 2021 PACCAR MX-13 engine are eligible to receive software improvements to increase vehicle uptime and emissions fault detection. This software update is expected to be available after 10/30/2026.

42-070

Due to supplier constraints, an authorized aftermarket surge tank has been made available.

42-070

Due to supplier constraints, an authorized aftermarket surge tank has been made available.

P001

ENGINE

"Kenworth: Dealers should check the chassis list and SIR weekly for VIN changes. 2 chassis added to the chassis list. Peterbilt: Dealers should check the chassis list and SIR weekly for VIN changes. 10 chassis added to the chassis list."

24KWL/PBL

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

The verbiage in the Introduction section has been updated.

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 W900 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027010—
2025020—
2024120—
2023040—
2022240—
2021Viewing130—
2020060—
2019070—
2018090—
2017060—
20160110—
2015090—
2014090—
2013070—
2012080—
20110100—
2010090—
20090171—
20081202—
20072173—
20061111—
2005290—
20042120—
2003160—
2002140—
2001190—
2000790—
19993100—
1998360—
1997150—
1996060—
1995120—
1994110—
1991010—
1990000—
1989000—
1988000—
1987000—
1986000—
1983110—
1982010—
1978020—
1977010—
1976010—
1975010—

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.