2008 Kenworth T600 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Problem: Paccar is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 kenworth c500, t2000, t600, and t660, as well as model year 2009-2011 peterbilt 387 and 388 trucks equipped with caterpillar c15 engine and manufactured from may 11, 2006, through september 17, 2010. Degradation of a combustion tube weld can cause radial heat impingement on the body which may burn through certain bodies used on c15 engines.

Risk: This could result in a fire.

Fix: Caterpillar is handling the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Please see caterpillar's defect report 11e-006. Caterpillar will replace the single piece combustion tube with a thick wall combustion tube which will not allow the heat to break through. This service will be performed free of charge. Due to a parts supply issue, owners will be notified by the end of april 2011 about the safety defect, and will then be notified again once the free remedy is available, currently estimated to be around late july 2011. Owners may contact caterpillar toll-free at 1-800-447-4986.

Problem: Paccar is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 kenworth and peterbilt vehicles manufactured from february 2, 2006 through april 30, 2007. The bearing surfaces of the extended lube universal joint that attaches the inter-axle driveline to the drive axle may become prematurely worn due to breakdown of lubrication and/or excessive heat. Prematurely worn bearing surfaces may result in the u-joint becoming loose and/or binding. This condition may result in universal joint failure, allowing the inter-axle driveline to detach from the axle.

Risk: Detachment of the driveline from the axle may cause the vehicle to lose power and become disabled in the roadway. Also, the driveline could drop from the vehicle into the roadway increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Paccar is working with its supplier to remedy the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during february 2011. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 940-591-4196.

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.

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

Fix: 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.

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.

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

Fix: 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.

Problem: Paccar is recalling 4,883 my 2006-2009 kenworth t600, t660, t800, w900, t2000 and my 2008-2009 peterbilt 365, 367, 379, 384, 386, 387, 388 and 389 trucks. Inadequate stiffness of the diesel particulate filter (dpf) bracket could result in separation of the dpf from the chassis.

Risk: A vehicle crash could occur if another vehicle strikes the dpf on the roadway.

Fix: Paccar is working with caterpillar to repair these vehicles (please see 08e041). Owners may contact caterpillar at 1-800-447-4986 or kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.

Problem: Certain trucks equipped with eaton synflex eclipse brand extruded nylon air brake hose tubing fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 106, "brake hoses." the tubing was manufactured with only four layers of nylon material, instead of the specified five layers.

Risk: The diameter of the hose affects the fittings which may allow air to leak from the brakes and create the potential for a vehicle crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the air brake hoses and, if necessary, replace the hoses. The recall began on february 22, 2008. Owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.

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.

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.

Fix: 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.

Problem: On certain trucks, if the ignition switch is turned on prior to initial start up in the manufacturing plant or during the filter replacement in the field, a small flame will ignite when the fuel is added to prime the system.

Risk: The possibility exists for the flame to spread resulting in possible equipment damage or physical injury.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the filter for the date codes of the suspect filters and replace those heating elements free of charge. The recall began on march 21, 2007. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 940-591-4201.

Problem: On certain trucks, the axle housings may have been manufactured with steel that was out of specification which could result in a fatigue failure over time.

Risk: If a fatigue failure occurs and is left unattended, the axle may lock up or the end of the axle could come off, which may result in a vehicle crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the axles free of charge. The recall began on may 9, 2007. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.

Problem: Certain trucks fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 121, "air brake systems." the trailer light line may have been routed using too tight of a bend radius. This routing method could cause the wires within the harness plug to be pulled away from the chassis plug resulting in an intermittent or complete electrical power loss to the trailer.

Risk: Should power be lost, the electrical circuits would not provide power to the antilock system on the towed vehicle increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will reroute the light line to eliminate the excessive bend radius and replace any plug or harness that has been damaged free of charge. The recall began on april 16, 2007. Owner may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440.

Problem: On certain trucks equipped with a trw tilt/telescoping steering column, the tilt locking mechanism on the steering column may disengage. This could prevent the steering column from locking in to predetermined positions.

Risk: Should the locking mechanism disengage, the tilting travel of the column would be unrestricted. This unrestricted travel allows the steering wheel to impact the dash and could limit the movement of the steering wheel potentially resulting in difficulty maneuvering the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the tilt locking mechanism with a revised design that incorporates a new bracket for restraining the tilting mechanism. The recall began on december 22, 2006. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440.