2005 Kenworth T600 recalls and problems

The 2005 Kenworth T600 has 8 recalls and 4 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is service brakes.

How the 2005 compares

Highest

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Highest complaint count among 7 T600 model years — the most of any year.

8recalls

4complaints

0crashes

0fires

0injuries

360,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

8 recalls

Service Brakes

Jun 30, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V239000 · 3,423 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Risk: Cracking can cause a complete fracture of the cam tube, which could increase stopping distance and decrease parking brake hold capability.

Original NHTSA wording

CRACKING CAN CAUSE A COMPLETE FRACTURE OF THE CAM TUBE, WHICH COULD INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND DECREASE PARKING BRAKE HOLD CAPABILITY.

Remedy & notes

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 recall no. 09KW7.owners May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .

Suspension

Sep 24, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V485000 · 130 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Risk: A failure May reduce vehicle brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

A FAILURE MAY REDUCE VEHICLE BRAKE PERFORMANCE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

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.

Kenworth recall no. 08KWB. Customers May contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Engine

Jun 28, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V279000 · 28,968 vehicles

Problem: On certain trucks equipped with caterpillar C11, C13 or C15 engines, the oil fill cap can become dislodged due to cap damage or improper installation and become lodged in the u-joint of the steering driveline and steering gear.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR C11, C13 OR C15 ENGINES, THE OIL FILL CAP CAN BECOME DISLODGED DUE TO CAP DAMAGE OR IMPROPER INSTALLATION AND BECOME LODGED IN THE U-JOINT OF THE STEERING DRIVELINE AND STEERING GEAR.

Risk: If the cap becomes dodged in this area, it May result in difficulty steering the vehicle or cause complete steering lock-up increasing the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

IF THE CAP BECOMES DODGED IN THIS AREA, IT MAY RESULT IN DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE OR CAUSE COMPLETE STEERING LOCK-UP INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Paccar is working with caterpillar to repair these vehicles. Revised oil cap retention based on the engine model/configuration will be incorporated to prevent steering lock-up. The recall began during December 2007. Owners May contact caterpillar at 1-800-447-4986 or Kenworth at 425-828-5440.

Kenworth recall no. 07KWB.customers May contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Trailer Hitches

Jun 26, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V269000 · 9,571 vehicles

Problem: On certain trucks, the removable tow hitch ,when used to tow or lift a vehicle, can fail due to defective material in the tow hitch.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE REMOVABLE TOW HITCH ,WHEN USED TO TOW OR LIFT A VEHICLE, CAN FAIL DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL IN THE TOW HITCH.

Risk: If the tow hitch assembly fails while a vehicle is being towed or lifted, it May cause an accident that could result in personal injury or death.

Original NHTSA wording

IF THE TOW HITCH ASSEMBLY FAILS WHILE A VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED OR LIFTED, IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will replace the tow pin assembly free of charge. The recall began on September 4, 2007. Owners May contact Kenworth at 425-828-5440 or Peterbilt at 940-591-4201.

Peterbilt recall no.507E and Kenworth recall no. 07KWA.customers May contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Engine

Dec 22, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V570000 · 30,995 vehicles

Problem: On certain tractors equipped with caterpillar diesel engines, the variable valve actuation oil line May wear against the sharp edge of the cylinder head if not positioned correctly.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR DIESEL ENGINES, THE VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE MAY WEAR AGAINST THE SHARP EDGE OF THE CYLINDER HEAD IF NOT POSITIONED CORRECTLY.

Risk: The oil line May be cut on the cylinder head causing an oil leak and a possible fire.

Original NHTSA wording

THE OIL LINE MAY BE CUT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD CAUSING AN OIL LEAK AND A POSSIBLE FIRE.

Remedy & notes

Caterpillar, in conjunction with paccar, will be conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign free of charge. Owners May call caterpillar at 309-675-6496, Kenworth at 425-828-5440, or Peterbilt at 940-591-4201.

Kenworth recall no. 05KW7 and Peterbilt recall no. 1205E.customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236(tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Steering

Nov 29, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V543000 · 241 vehicles

Problem: On certain trucks equipped with the bendix electronic stability control (esp) system, the system uses multiple sensors and an electronic control unit (ECU) to control vehicle under steer, over-steer, and rollover situations. The system relies on vehicle sensors to be functioning and aligned properly. The steering angle sensor has the potential to be misaligned with the steering column shaft, thereby providing incorrect information to the bendix ECU.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE BENDIX ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESP) SYSTEM, THE SYSTEM USES MULTIPLE SENSORS AND AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO CONTROL VEHICLE UNDER STEER, OVER-STEER, AND ROLLOVER SITUATIONS. THE SYSTEM RELIES ON VEHICLE SENSORS TO BE FUNCTIONING AND ALIGNED PROPERLY. THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE MISALIGNED WITH THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT, THEREBY PROVIDING INCORRECT INFORMATION TO THE BENDIX ECU.

Risk: This condition could affect vehicle throttle control and braking, thereby leading to loss of vehicle steering control which could cause a crash without warning.

Original NHTSA wording

THIS CONDITION COULD AFFECT VEHICLE THROTTLE CONTROL AND BRAKING, THEREBY LEADING TO LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy & notes

Because of the immediate and substantial risk, Kenworth and Peterbilt dealers will first deactivate the yaw control feature of the bendix esp system preventing inadvertent esp activation. When parts are available, the steering column will be replaced to insure proper alignment of the steering shaft sensor and the full esp system will be reactivated. The recall began on December 7, 2005. Parts to complete the remedy are estimated to be available in early 2006. Owners May contact Kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or Peterbilt at 1-940-591-4201.

Kenworth recall no. 05KW6 and Peterbilt recall no. 1105D. Customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Suspension

May 19, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V237000 · 850 vehicles

Problem: On certain trucks and tractors equipped with airglide high-articulation rear suspensions, the C65-1006 sway bar used in this rear suspension May experience a reduction in fatigue life due to either a manufacturing process or a high induced stress during an extreme suspension articulation event.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH AIRGLIDE HIGH-ARTICULATION REAR SUSPENSIONS, THE C65-1006 SWAY BAR USED IN THIS REAR SUSPENSION MAY EXPERIENCE A REDUCTION IN FATIGUE LIFE DUE TO EITHER A MANUFACTURING PROCESS OR A HIGH INDUCED STRESS DURING AN EXTREME SUSPENSION ARTICULATION EVENT.

Risk: Both of these conditions can lead to a failure of the sway bar which could cause the rear axle to come loose, increasing the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

BOTH OF THESE CONDITIONS CAN LEAD TO A FAILURE OF THE SWAY BAR WHICH COULD CAUSE THE REAR AXLE TO COME LOOSE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

The inspection and repair of these vehicles will depend on the type of vehicle (tractor or truck) and the intended service application. This inspection and repair criteria will be forthcoming. The recall began on June 30, 2005. Owners May contact Kenworth at 1-425-828-5440.

Kenworth recall no. 05KW4.customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Suspension

Apr 28, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V189000 · 1,026 vehicles

Problem: On certain heavy duty class 8 trucks, the suspension has transverse beam castings that May fracture under normal loads. If a casting breaks when the vehicle is traveling on a roadway there is the potential for pieces of the casting to become projectiles and the suspension's transverse beam May drop down low enough to contact the road surface.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS, THE SUSPENSION HAS TRANSVERSE BEAM CASTINGS THAT MAY FRACTURE UNDER NORMAL LOADS. IF A CASTING BREAKS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING ON A ROADWAY THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR PIECES OF THE CASTING TO BECOME PROJECTILES AND THE SUSPENSION'S TRANSVERSE BEAM MAY DROP DOWN LOW ENOUGH TO CONTACT THE ROAD SURFACE.

Risk: This could cause sparks that could potentially ignite and cause a fire.

Original NHTSA wording

THIS COULD CAUSE SPARKS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY IGNITE AND CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will inspect and replace the defective transverse beam assemblies free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2005, with letters being mailed to Peterbilt owners; and on June 17, 2005, for Kenworth owners. Owners May contact Peterbilt at 940-591-4201 or Kenworth at 425-828-5440.

Peterbilt recall no. 405-B and Kenworth recall no. 05KW3.customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Service Brakes3

Engine1

Structure1

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2005 vs. other Kenworth T600 years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2005. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2005 Kenworth T600 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns covering the 2005 Kenworth T600, the latest from Jun 30, 2009 (service brakes). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Kenworth T600?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention service brakes (3), engine (1), structure (1). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.