Kenworth T880 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
55 distinct recall campaigns
126,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 to 2027 model years. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 10 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 30.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 10.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 10.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 10.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Service Brakes: 4; Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer: 2; Engine: 2; Tires: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Power Train: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 3
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2025: 3; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11217273 · 2019-06-01 (June 1, 2019)
TURN SIGNALS FAIL TO CONTINUE TO FLASH EVEN AFTER SELECTED. DASH INDICATOR LIGHT WILL RAPID FLASH BUT NOTHING OUTSIDE THE TRACTOR OR THE TRAILERS WILL ILLUMINATE. TRACTOR HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THEY "REFLASH" THE TRUCK CAB CONTROL COMPUTER BUT THAT HAS NEVER YET FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER MECHANICS AND TECHS SIMPLY SHRUG AND SAY IT IS A "KENWORTH THING" AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT. THE COMPANY I WORK FOR HAS TWO OF THESE TRACTORS WITH SERIAL NUMBERS ONLY ONE NUMBER APART AND BOTH TRACTORS HAVE THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM. I…
Owner-reported narrative. 219,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11217273 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11327833 · 2020-06-08 (June 8, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 KENWORTH T880. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, HE DEPRESSED HIS BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT VEERED THE VEHICLE TO RIGHT OFF OF THE ROAD AND DROVE INTO A DITCH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO THE ACCIDENT AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOW YARD. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V…
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11327833 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11756789 · 2026-08-13 (August 13, 2026)
Manufacturer hidden issues on vehicle on: Air system including compressor, air tank capacity volume and consumption, or valves. Automatic transmission air consumption and possible module or valves leaking air. Involved in crash and sensitive information available in black box and company Dash camera.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11756789 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11673257 · 2025-07-14 (July 14, 2025)
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Kenworth T880. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that after taking the vehicle to the dealer and obtaining a Carfax report, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 133,000, and it was discovered that the mileage was 700,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 700,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11673257 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11674741 · 2025-07-19 (July 19, 2025)
Injector system keeps truck constantly wanting to do a regen. Too much fuel is being pushed into the particulate filter.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11674741 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 16 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 2 |
| 2027 | 2 |
2011: 2; 2012: 3; 2013: 7; 2014: 12; 2015: 12; 2016: 15; 2017: 11; 2018: 16; 2019: 10; 2020: 10; 2021: 8; 2022: 8; 2023: 7; 2024: 7; 2025: 9; 2026: 2; 2027: 2