What Kenworth C500 owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Kenworth C500 safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| 2012 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| 2010 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Kenworth C500 complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
WE DID 20+ HOURS OF WORK ON THIS TRUCK AND ALL AFTER HOUR RATES. THIS COMPANY IS WITHHOLDING MONEY THEY OWED. WE HAVE ASKED TO WORK WITH US AND NOW THEY WILL NOT ANSWER ANY PHONE CALLS FROM US OR OUR LAWYERS. STOP THIS TRUCK. THEY OWE US $2850.00 THEY NEED TO BE STOPPED BEFORE THEY LIE OUT OF MONEY THEY OWE US. *TR
2010 KENWORTH SEMI, UNIT 1 LOST A SET OF DUAL WHEELS OFF HIS TRAILER. UNIT 2 STRUCK ONE OF THE WHEELS, CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE STRUCK TIRE/WHEEL WAS REMOVED FROM THE ROADWAY. THE 2ND TIRE WAS NOT LOCATED. BOTH UNITS WERE DISABLE. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-0007-89. *JB UPDATED 03/21/11 *BF
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
"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."
The verbiage in the Introduction section has been updated.
The attached procedures document has been updated with more detail and explanations. This is not a stand-alone procedure. Cummins Quickserve troubleshooting will specify the use of these procedures while troubleshooting specific fault codes.
Sheppard Recall Order Process Update - The Parts section has been updated with revised steps for opening a TCS365 Order Support â Order Inquiry case.
Procedure pictures updated for clarity. When troubleshooting Cummins X15 fault codes 555 or 556, follow this additional testing, inspection, and documentation procedure to help identify the root cause of dusted engines. This is not a stand-alone process but must be used alongside Cummins troubleshooting steps. Cummins Quickserve will reference this bulletin for fault codes 555 or 556.
SAFETY RECALL Additional chassis have been included. The chassis list has been updated. Certain T370 / T440 / T470 / T480 / T660 / T680 / T800 / T880 / W900 / C500 chassis may be equipped with air tank reservoirs that have less than twelve times the combined volume of all service brake chambers which fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No.121, Air Brake Systems.
Safety Recall Refer to Cummins Safety Recall (Campaign) C7083. Cummins alerted Kenworth to a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety in certain Cummins X15 engines equipped with certain fuel pumps. Refer to Cummins Safety Recall (Campaign) C7083 for repair information.
Certain C500/T440/T470/T660/T680/T800/T880/W900 chassis may have air tank reservoirs that do not meet air volume requirements per FMVSS/CMVSS 121 âÃÂÃÂAir Brake SystemsâÃÂÃÂ. This bulletin will be updated when repair parts and procedures are available.
Safety Recall Repair parts and procedures are now available. On certain Kenworth model years 2018 through 2024 C500/T660/T800/W900 trucks with Sears Atlas 70 or 80 series seats, a spacer was installed on the seatbelt mounting assembly. In a severe collision, the ICP bar may fail, increasing the risk of injury.
Safety Recall Interim Notification On certain Kenworth model year 2018 through 2024 C500/T660/T800/W900 trucks with Sears Atlas 70 or 80 series seats, an additional spacer was installed on the seatbelt mounting assembly. In a severe collision, the ICP bar may fail allowing the seatbelt to slip, increasing the risk of injury. This bulletin will be updated when repair parts and procedures become available.
Certain chassis with Engine Model Year 2016-2021 PACCAR MX-11/MX-13, or EPA13 and EPA21 Cummins ISX12/ISX15/X15 engines that had a previously failed DEF sensor and with DEF sensor software disabled due to industry DEF sensor shortages will now be able to receive a replacement DEF sensor, DEF tank heater coolant control valve, and re-enabled DEF diagnostic software. Please note that chassis equipped with PACCAR PX engines will be eligible for this repair at a future date when software is available.
Info Only - PACCAR is introducing Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates for engine MY17 and newer chassis equipped with Cummins X15, X12, ISX12, ISX12N, L9N, PX-7, and PX-9 engines The technology will leverage the existing Remote Diagnostic cs hardware to deliver secure software updates remotely. This will reduce downtime and save on maintenance costs for eligible vehicles.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2010–2025, owners most often name: tires, wheels. 2 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.