2023 Kenworth T280 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jan 16, 2025 · 1 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other T280 years
Not enough data 1st of 7 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2023 Kenworth T280. That is the most of any T280 model year in the database (7 years). The most reported problem area is power train (1 complaints, 100%), typically at around 1,200 miles. There are 12 safety recalls covering this model year.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2023 Kenworth T280 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Power Train1 · ~1,200 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Power Train1100%1,200——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

2023 Kenworth T280 recalls (12)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedalJan 16, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V014000 · 1,110 vehicles

Problem: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Peterbilt 535, 536, 537, 548, 2023-2024 Kenworth T280, T380, T480, and 2024 Kenworth T180 trucks. The throttle pedal assembly may contain an oversized magnet carrier, slowing the responsiveness or causing the pedal to stick.

Risk: A pedal that sticks increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the throttle pedal as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220 and Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 25PBA and 25KWA.

Electrical system:software; service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/moduleDec 9, 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V915000 · 220,764 vehicles

Problem: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Peterbilt and Kenworth vehicles, equipped with Bendix EC80 Advanced Electronic Control Units (ECU). Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. Electrical noise and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly process commands or stop functioning.

Risk: Safety systems that depend on the ECU (Automatic Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Active Cruise Control, and Collison Mitigation System) may not function properly or at all, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24KWL and 24PBL.

Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shiftMar 20, 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V190000 · 70,509 vehicles

Problem: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Peterbilt 365, 367, 389, 535, 536, 537, 548, 567, 579, and 2021-2025 Kenworth T180, T280, T380, T480, T680, T880 and W990 trucks. The right-hand gear shifter stalk connectors may have been improperly crimped, resulting in a loss of communication.

Risk: A loss of communication between the gear shifter and the transmission may result in the vehicle becoming disabled after coming to a stop, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the gear shifter assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 15, 2025, then phased after that. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24PBE and 24KWE.

Visibility:rearview mirrors/devicesJan 15, 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V017000 · 10,611 vehicles

Problem: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Peterbilt 535, 536, 537, 548, and Kenworth T180, T280, T380, T480 trucks. The glass lock ring on the cab mirror assembly may not be fully seated, allowing the mirror glass to detach.

Risk: A detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the mirror glass lock ring and repair it as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed February 23, 2024. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and/or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24KWA and 24PBA.

Service brakes, airSep 29, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V661000 · 254 vehicles

Problem: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Kenworth T280, T380, 2020-2024 Peterbilt 548, 536, 2024 Peterbilt 537, and 2020-2024 Kenworth T480 trucks. The timing of the trailer brake release may be delayed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Risk: A delay in the trailer brake release can create instability to the trailer and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fittings and hoses in the affected valves, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 23KWJ and 23PBJ.

Fuel system, diesel:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsSep 5, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V617000 · 871 vehicles

Problem: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Kenworth T280, T380, T480, Peterbilt 536, 537, and 548 trucks. The remote Stage 2 fuel filter hoses may have been damaged during production, allowing the hoses to leak or disconnect.

Risk: A disconnected hose will result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Also, a fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace both hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 4, 2023. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 23KWF and 23PBF.

Power train:drivelineJul 21, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V504000 · 72 vehicles

Problem: PACCAR Incorportated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Peterbilt 536, 537, 548, 2023-2024 Kenworth T280, T480, and 2024 Kenworth T380 vehicles. The adhesive thread-lock may not have been applied to the four flange mounted yoke bolt threads, allowing the driveline fasteners to loosen.

Risk: Loose fasteners may allow the driveline to separate from the truck, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will apply adhesive thread-lock and replace the fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 19, 2023. Owners may contact PACCAR's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 (Kenworth) or 1-940-591-4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 23KWE and 23PBE.

Service brakes, airFeb 15, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V087000 · 8,008 vehicles

Problem: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Kenworth T280, T380, T480, Peterbilt 536, 537, and 548 vehicles. When the brake pedal is fully applied and then released rapidly, the pedal plunger that connects the brake pedal to the brake valve may become disconnected, causing the service brakes to fail.

Risk: Service brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will add a pedal restraint bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2023. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-588 and Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 23KWB and 23PBB.

Engine and engine cooling:engine:engine control module (ecu/ecm)Aug 17, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V631000 · 1,601 vehicles

Problem: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2023 Peterbilt 220, 389, 520, 536, 537, 348, 367, 567, 548, 579, and 2023 Kenworth T680, K270, T440, T880, W990, K370, T280, T380, T480, T800, and W900 vehicles. The engine control module (ECM) may experience an internal electrical short-circuit, causing the engine to stall.

Risk: An unexpected engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the ECM, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 16, 2022. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 22KWG and 22PBG.

SteeringJul 28, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V547000 · 47,500 vehicles

Problem: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Kenworth T170, T270, T280, T370, T380, T440, T470, T480, T680, T800, T880, W900, W990, C500, and 2022-2023 Peterbilt 325, 330, 337, 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, 536, 537, 548, 567, and 579 vehicles. The steering gears may have been assembled incorrectly, which can cause the gears to fracture.

Risk: A fractured steering gear can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the steering gear serial numbers, and replace the steering gears as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2022. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 22PBE and 22KWE.

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:abs warning lightJun 15, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V424000 · 3 vehicles

Problem: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2022 Kenworth T180 and 2023 Kenworth T280 and Peterbilt 535 vehicles. The ABS telltale was not enabled on certain vehicles, and will not illuminate even during an ABS malfunction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems."

Risk: An inoperational ABS system may not notify the driver of a malfunction, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will perform a complete software update to correct the parameter setting, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact PACCAR's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 (Kenworth); 1-940-591-4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's number for this recall is 22KWC and 22PBC.

Power train:automatic transmissionJun 15, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V425000 · 402 vehicles

Problem: PACCAR, Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2022 Kenworth T180, 2021-2023 Kenworth T280, 2022-2023 Kenworth T380, 2022-2023 Peterbilt 536, and 537 vehicles. Internal components of the transmission actuator may slip, causing the actuator to become miscalibrated.

Risk: A miscalibrated actuator may cause the transmission to shift into an unexpected gear, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the transmission actuator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 8, 2022. Owners may contact PACCAR's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 (Kenworth); 1-940-591-4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's number for this recall is 22KWD and 22PBD.

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.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2023 Kenworth T280. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the gears were not shifting properly. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact made a local dealer aware of the failure, and a mechanic was sent to his residence on two occasions for a service call…

Power Train · received Dec 19, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11498083

Other Kenworth T280 years

← 2022 T280 · 2024 T280 →

YearComplaintsRecalls
2027 T28001
2026 T28002
2025 T28007
2024 T28009
2023112
2022 T28007
2021 T28006

See all Kenworth T280 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 2023 Kenworth T280?

Owners most often report power train problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 1 complaint.

Was there a recall on the 2023 Kenworth T280?

Yes, 12 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2023 Kenworth T280 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other T280 model years, the 2023 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.