2003 Kenworth C500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other C500 years
- Not enough data 6th of 30 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
NHTSA has received no owner complaints about the 2003 Kenworth C500 so far. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 0owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
2003 Kenworth C500 recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: On certain trucks, the wiring, parts, or transmission programming required for the auto neutral feature to function as designed were either not installed, connected, or programmed properly.
Risk: If any of these conditions exists, the transmission will not automatically shift into neutral when left in drive with the parking brake set engaged. The vehicle could move without warning increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the affected vehicles to ensure the auto neutral feature functions properly and, if needed, will make the necessary repairs free of charge. The recall began on may 9, 2007. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440.
Service brakes, air
Problem: Certain trucks equipped with meritor p 18x7 brakes with 36" brake chambers fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) no. 121, "air brake systems." these trucks were manufactured with a combined air reservoir volume less than 12 times the combined volume of all service brake chambers.
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Fix: Dealers will add an additional tank or change one of the existing air tanks to a larger size. Owner notification began on may 5, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440.
Exterior lighting
Problem: Certain trucks equipped with trailer connections fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standards (fmvss) no. 121, "air brake systems," and no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the supplier removed a rubber grommet from the trailer light line connector. The vehicles are experiencing corrosion at the 7-way trailer connection. This causes intermittent flashing/flickering of the trailer lights.
Risk: This could cause an electrical short and/or possible fire hazard.
Fix: Dealers will install the missing grommet on all affected chassis. If a connector is found defective, it will be replaced with a new connector. Owner notification is began on march 14, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Other Kenworth C500 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 C500 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 C500 | 0 | 1 |
| 2022 C500 | 0 | 1 |
| 2021 C500 | 0 | 1 |
| 2020 C500 | 0 | 1 |
| 2019 C500 | 0 | 4 |
| 2018 C500 | 0 | 5 |
| 2017 C500 | 0 | 4 |
| 2016 C500 | 0 | 3 |
| 2015 C500 | 0 | 3 |
| 2014 C500 | 0 | 4 |
| 2013 C500 | 0 | 2 |
| 2012 C500 | 1 | 3 |
| 2011 C500 | 0 | 6 |
| 2010 C500 | 1 | 4 |
| 2009 C500 | 0 | 5 |
| 2008 C500 | 0 | 9 |
| 2007 C500 | 1 | 6 |
| 2006 C500 | 1 | 5 |
| 2005 C500 | 0 | 5 |
| 2004 C500 | 0 | 4 |
| 2003 | 0 | 3 |
| 2002 C500 | 0 | 2 |
| 2001 C500 | 0 | 4 |
| 2000 C500 | 0 | 7 |
| 1999 C500 | 1 | 7 |
| 1998 C500 | 0 | 3 |
| 1997 C500 | 0 | 3 |
| 1996 C500 | 0 | 4 |
| 1995 C500 | 0 | 1 |
See all Kenworth C500 problems by year, every Kenworth model, or the VIN decoder.
Similar Kenworth models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Kenworth C500?
NHTSA has no owner complaints on file yet.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Kenworth C500?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2003 Kenworth C500 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other C500 model years, the 2003 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.