2011 Kenworth T700 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Problem: Paccar Incorporated (Paccar) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Peterbilt 579 and 587 trucks manufactured February 14, 2011, to December 5, 2012 and 2011 Kenworth T700 trucks manufactured September 21, 2010, to October 1, 2010. The affected trucks are equipped with Fontaine Ultra LT Fifth Wheel connectors, which, due to cumulative damage to the fifth wheel and its locking mechanism, have a locking mechanism that may fail to operate or to properly engage.

Risk: If the fifth wheel and locking mechanism are sufficiently damaged, the locking mechanism may fail to operate as intended and the trailer may unexpectedly detach from the tractor, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fifth wheel with an Ultra NT model fifth wheel, free of charge. The recall began on December 7, 2015. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. Paccar's numbers for this recall are 15KWP (Kenworth) and 1015M (Peterbilt).

Problem: Paccar is recalling certain model year 2011 kenworth t700 vehicles equipped with fontaine ultra lt model fifth wheel manufactured from october 5, 2010, through october 13, 2010. During the trailer coupling process, it is possible for a driver to partially close the fontaine ultra lt model fifth wheel around the trailer kingpin without the fifth wheel being fully engaged and locked.

Risk: A partially coupled fifth wheel may result in a trailer unexpectedly separating from the tractor, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Repairs have been completed to all affected chassis by the equipment supplier, fontaine. Accordingly, an owner notification campaign is unnecessary and is not planned. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440.

Problem: Paccar is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 kenworth t660, t700, and t800 vehicles manufactured from april 19, 2010, through may 13, 2011, and model year 2008, 2010, and 2011 peterbilt 365, 367, 384, 386, 387, 388 and 587 vehicles manufactured from april 20, 2010, through june 11, 2011, and equipped with paccar mx engines and eaton ultrashift dm or allison automatic transmissions (without auto-neutral). The fast idle control may be activated by the operator while the transmission is in gear.

Risk: If the fast idle control function is engaged with the transmission in gear, the vehicle could unexpectedly accelerate and override the parking brake and , creating a risk of a crash and damage to other vehicles or property and the potential for injury to nearby pedestrians.

Fix: Kenworth and peterbilt dealers will update the engine software for the affected chassis. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on august 22, 2011. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.

Problem: Paccar is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 kenworth t2000, t660, t700, t800, and w900, as well as model year 2009-2012 peterbilt 365, 367, 384, 386, 387, 388, 389, and 587 trucks equipped with paccar mx engines. The oil module centrifugal spinner filter cap in the paccar mx engine may become loose, possibly allowing the cap to come off and engine oil to partially discharge from the oil module onto exhaust components.

Risk: The discharge of engine oil onto exhaust components which are hot, such as when the engine is under significant load, may cause a fire.

Fix: Dealers will re-torque the oil module filter cap and install a secondary retention device on the secondary centrifugal spinner filter cap. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during march 2011. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.

Problem: Kenworth is recalling certain model year 2011 t660 and t700 tractor trailers manufactured between august 9, 2010, and november 4, 2010. The safety latch feature that keeps the hood of the vehicle from closing after a user opens the hood may fail to operate.

Risk: Failure of the safety latch feature may cause the hood to unexpectedly close while open, increasing the risk of personal injury and/or vehicle damage.

Fix: Dealers will replace the dual magnets with a single magnet on the safety latch. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on february 28, 2011. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440.

Problem: Paccar is recalling certain model year kenworth t660, t700, t800 and w900 vehicles manufactured from december 22, 2008, through august 2, 2010, and equipped with ag400l air disc brakes. The air disc brake caliper could be installed on the wrong side of the drive axle potentially causing interference with the suspension bracket and the rear suspension as the outermost brake pads wear and the floating caliper moves inboard.

Risk: As this interference gets larger, this could eventually lead to reduced braking performance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will verify the correct orientation of the brake caliper and perform the necessary repair free of charge. The safety recall began on november 24, 2010. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440.

Problem: Paccar is recalling certain model year kenworth and peterbilt vehicles. A manufacturing defect in the seal supplied by a component manufacturer installed on the output shaft of the exhaust gas recirculation (egr) valve actuator may cause eventual delamination of the seal. Delamination of the seal may allow engine oil to leak from the egr valve onto exhaust components.

Risk: The leaking of engine oil onto hot exhaust components, such as when the engine is under significant load, may create the possibility of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the egr valve assembly on the subject vehicles equipped with the paccar mx engine. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 29, 2010. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 940-591-4196.