Kenworth W900 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 30 owner complaints and 105 safety recalls on file for the Kenworth W900, across 31 model years (1995–2025). The 2000 model year has the most complaints (7). The most reported problem area overall is engine and engine cooling.
Kenworth W900 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No W900 model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2000 W900: 7 complaints, 9 recalls
- 1999 W900: 3 complaints, 10 recalls
- 1998 W900: 3 complaints, 6 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Kenworth W900 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Structure | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Suspension | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Tires | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Kenworth W900 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 W900 | 0 | 2 | — | — | |
| 2024 W900 | 1 | 2 | — | Fuel System, Diesel | |
| 2023 W900 | 0 | 4 | — | — | |
| 2022 W900 | 2 | 4 | — | Equipment Adaptive/mobility | |
| 2021 W900 | 1 | 3 | — | Unknown or Other | |
| 2020 W900 | 0 | 6 | — | — | |
| 2019 W900 | 0 | 7 | — | — | |
| 2018 W900 | 0 | 9 | — | — | |
| 2017 W900 | 0 | 6 | — | — | |
| 2016 W900 | 0 | 11 | — | — | |
| 2015 W900 | 0 | 9 | — | — | |
| 2014 W900 | 0 | 9 | — | — | |
| 2013 W900 | 0 | 7 | — | — | |
| 2012 W900 | 0 | 8 | — | — | |
| 2011 W900 | 0 | 10 | — | — | |
| 2010 W900 | 0 | 9 | — | — | |
| 2009 W900 | 0 | 17 | — | — | |
| 2008 W900 | 1 | 20 | — | Steering | |
| 2007 W900 | 2 | 16 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2006 W900 | 1 | 11 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2005 W900 | 2 | 9 | — | Fuel System, Diesel | |
| 2004 W900 | 2 | 12 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2003 W900 | 1 | 6 | — | Exterior Lighting | |
| 2002 W900 | 1 | 4 | — | Suspension | |
| 2001 W900 | 1 | 9 | — | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 2000 W900 | 7 | 9 | — | Suspension | |
| 1999 W900 | 3 | 10 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1998 W900 | 3 | 6 | — | Structure | |
| 1997 W900 | 1 | 5 | — | Tires | |
| 1996 W900 | 0 | 6 | — | — | |
| 1995 W900 | 1 | 2 | — | Structure |
More from Kenworth: all Kenworth models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Kenworth W900 years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 2000 (7), 1999 (3), 1998 (3). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Kenworth W900?
Engine and Engine Cooling, with 5 complaints across 4 model years.
How many recalls does the Kenworth W900 have?
105 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.