Kenworth W900 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
109 distinct recall campaigns
108,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1975 to 2025 model years. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 31 complaints (9.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 2 | 6.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 6.5% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 6.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 6.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.2% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Tires | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility:Vehicle Controls:Steering | 2 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
Tires: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Equipment Adaptive/Mobility:Vehicle Controls:Steering: 2; Fuel System, Diesel: 2; Steering: 2; Structure:Frame And Members: 2; Suspension: 2; Electrical System: 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 | 3 |
| 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: 3; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 22 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
1995: 1; 2000: 3; 2001: 3; 2002: 5; 2003: 1; 2004: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 3; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2019: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 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 8018614 · 2002-09-13 (September 13, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ENGINE WOULD STALLS WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8018614 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11722014 · 2026-03-04 (March 4, 2026)
The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2024 Kenworth W900. The contact, who is a fleet manager, stated that while one of the drivers was driving uphill, the vehicle stalled. The driver called and the contact went to the location where the vehicle was pulled over. The contact stated that there was fuel spewing from the injection pump. Upon further inspection, the contact became aware that the fuel pump barrel was fractured. The contact repaired the vehicle on-site. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact tha…
Owner-reported narrative. 110,230 miles reported. Look up ODI 11722014 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018179 · 2003-05-05 (May 5, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT HE IS HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH HIS BIG RIG. HE STATES THAT HE CAN BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE LIGHTS CUT OFF, THEN LATER ON THEY COME BACK ON. HE STATES THAT HE HAS HAD THIS TRUCK IN THE SHOP 60 PLUS TIMES, AND NO ONE CAN FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. HE STATES HE HAS HAD THE MOTOR REBUILT TWICE, REPLACED THE HEADS, REPLACE GASKET ETC AT LEASE TWICE, AND NO ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018179 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062929 · 2004-03-11 (March 11, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THIS FORCED THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE THE LACK OF VISIBILITY. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT HEADLIGHT WIRING MELTED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10062929 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10196429 · 2007-07-16 (July 16, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KENWORTH W900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME RAIL FAILED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE DEALER REPLACED THEM EACH TIME. THE FRAME RAIL CRACKED AND CUT THE POWER STEERING HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED AN OIL LEAK. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 211,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 108,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10196429 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8011874 · 2002-06-14 (June 14, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED OF 20 MPH OR LESS RIGHT FRONT TIE ROD END BROKE, AND CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFROMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8011874 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8003205 · 2002-01-30 (January 30, 2002)
CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL TANK BRACKET IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO KEEP TANK FROM TWISTING, THE STRAPS APPARENTLY ARE TOO BIG AND LOOSEN FROM WEAR, CAUSING FUEL TANK TO TWIST AND LEAK TO FUEL, DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.*AK *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8003205 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11578489 · 2024-03-20 (March 20, 2024)
Transmission issues
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11578489 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 563741 · 2001-10-22 (October 22, 2001)
WHILE DRIVING THE LEFT REAR TANDEM BRAKE LOCKED UP AND CAUGHT FIRE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 563741 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 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 17 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2011 | 10 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2009: 17; 2010: 9; 2011: 10; 2012: 8; 2013: 7; 2014: 9; 2015: 9; 2016: 11; 2017: 6; 2018: 9; 2019: 7; 2020: 6; 2021: 3; 2022: 4; 2023: 4; 2024: 2; 2025: 2
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 1976 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1977 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 | 0 | 2 | +1 |
| 1982 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 1983 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1991 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 1994 | 1 | 1 | Not available |
| 1995 | 1 | 2 | +1 |
| 1996 | 0 | 6 | +4 |
| 1997 | 1 | 5 | -1 |
| 1998 | 2 | 6 | +1 |
| 1999 | 3 | 10 | +4 |
| 2000 | 7 | 9 | -1 |
| 2001 | 1 | 9 | 0 |
| 2002 | 1 | 4 | -5 |
| 2003 | 1 | 6 | +2 |
| 2004 | 2 | 12 | +6 |
| 2005 | 2 | 9 | -3 |
| 2006 | 1 | 11 | +2 |
| 2007 | 2 | 16 | +5 |
| 2008 | 1 | 20 | +4 |
| 2009 | 0 | 17 | -3 |
| 2010 | 0 | 9 | -8 |
| 2011 | 0 | 10 | +1 |
| 2012 | 0 | 8 | -2 |
| 2013 | 0 | 7 | -1 |
| 2014 | 0 | 9 | +2 |
| 2015 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 11 | +2 |
| 2017 | 0 | 6 | -5 |
| 2018 | 0 | 9 | +3 |
| 2019 | 0 | 7 | -2 |
| 2020 | 0 | 6 | -1 |
| 2021 | 1 | 3 | -3 |
| 2022 | 2 | 4 | +1 |
| 2023 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 | 2 | -2 |
| 2025 | 0 | 2 | 0 |