2011 Kenworth T440: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2010-09-29 (September 29, 2010)

KENWORTH IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 T660, T800, W900, C500, T440, AND T470 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 1, 2009, THROUGH AUGUST 30, 2010. ONE OF THE FOUR HARNESS SPADE TERMINAL CONNECTIONS TO THE CHASSIS LOAD CENTER MAY BECOME COMPLETELY UNSEATED. A COMPLETELY UNSEATED CONNECTION MAY RESULT IN A POWER LOSS TO A PORTION OF THE VEHICLE'S EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

Consequence: POWER LOSS OF THE VEHICLE'S EXTERIOR LIGHTING MAY REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE TO OTHER DRIVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH WITH THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HARNESS AND RE-SEATING THE FEMALE CONNECTORS ON THE MALE SPADE TERMINALS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.

Reported: 2011-03-07 (March 7, 2011)

PACCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 KENWORTH T270/370, T440/T470, T800, T660, W900 AND C500 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN OCTOBER 18, 2010, AND JANUARY 28, 2011. CERTAIN CAST IRON SLACK ADJUSTER HOUSINGS, WHICH TRANSMIT BRAKING FORCE FROM THE BRAKE CHAMBER PUSH ROD TO THE BRAKE CAM TUBE, MAY INCLUDE A FLOW NOTCH IN THE HANDLE PORTION OF THE HOUSING DUE TO AN ERROR DURING THE CASTING PROCESS. A FLOW NOTCH IN THE HANDLE PORTION MAY REDUCE THE EFFECTIVE CROSS SECTION STRUCTURE AND CAUSE THE SLACK ADJUSTER HOUSING TO FRACTURE.

Consequence: IF THE SLACK ADJUSTER HOUSING WERE TO FRACTURE, THE WHEEL BRAKE TO WHICH THE SLACK ADJUSTER HOUSING IS ATTACHED WOULD NO LONGER FUNCTION, WHICH COULD INCREASE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCES, AND IF MOUNTED ON THE STEER AXLE, COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO ONE SIDE DURING BRAKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE SLACK ADJUSTER HOUSING AS NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440.

Reported: 2011-05-10 (May 10, 2011)

PACCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 KENWORTH T440 TRACTORS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN OCTOBER 18, 2010, AND FEBRUARY 9, 2011 FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE QUICK RELEASE AIR VALVE REQUIRED IN THE FULL TRUCK SERVICE BRAKE AIR LINE GLADHAND CONNECTION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. THE OMISSION OF THE QUICK RELEASE AIR VALVE MAY ALLOW THE FULL TRUCK SERVICE BRAKE AIR LINE GLADHAND RELEASE TIMING TO EXCEED THE THRESHOLD OF 0.75 SECONDS BY 1/10TH OF A SECOND, THEREBY FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SAFETY STANDARD.

Consequence: THE SERVICE BRAKE OF A TOWED VEHICLE OR TRAILER MAY HAVE A DELAYED RELEASE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: KENWORTH DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE QUICK RELEASE AIR VALVE IN THE FULL TRUCK SERVICE BRAKE AIR LINE WITH GLADHAND CONNECTION. ALL OF THE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED, THEREFORE, AN OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER WILL NOT BE ISSUED FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 23, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PACCAR AT 1-425-468-7400.

Reported: 2014-01-14 (January 14, 2014)

PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2011-2014 model year Kenworth T440 vehicles manufactured March 10, 2010, through September 23, 2013 and equipped with Allison transmissions, Cummins Westport ISL-G engines, and NAMUX2 software. In the affected vehicles, the engine harness may have been installed incorrectly rendering the neutral start interlock inoperable.

Consequence: If the engine harness is installed incorrectly, the truck may be able to be started with the transmission in gear, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the connection on the engine harness, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin by early March 2014. Customers may contact PACCAR at 1-425-468-7400. Paccar's number for this recall is 14KWA.

Reported: 2015-05-08 (May 8, 2015)

PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Kenworth T270, T370, T440, T470, C500, C540, C550, T660, T800, W900, and 963 trucks manufactured November 1, 2010, to April 6, 2015. In the affected trucks, water may leak into the wiper motor.

Consequence: As water leaks in, the wiper may cease to function on the 'intermittent' setting, reducing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the water may cause corrosion which, over time, may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: PACCAR is still developing and testing a remedy. The recall is expected to begin in July 2015. An interim letter was sent to owners on July 2, 2015. The recall began on September 2, 1015. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000. PACCAR's number for this recall is 15KWF.

Reported: 2015-05-26 (May 26, 2015)

PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2010-2016 Kenworth T440, T800, and W900 trucks manufactured August 31, 2009, to April 20, 2015, and 2008-2015 Peterbilt 320, 337, 348, 365, 382, and 384 trucks manufactured July 27, 2007, to April 28, 2015, and equipped with certain Cummins Westport ISL G engines. Excessive engine crankcase pressures may cause the 90-degree elbow of the vent tube assembly to detach from the crankcase ventilation breather, possibly allowing engine oil to come into contact with hot surfaces.

Consequence: If engine oil comes into contact with a hot surface, there is an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy: Cummins will notify owners on behalf of PACCAR, and Cummins service centers will administer the repairs which include securing the ends of the 90-degree elbow and reprogramming the electronic control module (ECM) with software that can adjust the engine output under misfire conditions to limit crankcase pressures. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2015. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000, Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000 or Cummins Inc. at 1-800-343-7357. PACCAR's number for this recall is 15KWH and 515-G.

Reported: 2015-07-22 (July 22, 2015)

PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Kenworth T440, T470, T660, T680, and T880 trucks manufactured January 14, 2010, to May 22, 2015, and equipped with HID Headlamps and the option for Daytime Running Lamps (DRL). The DRLs are required to deactivate when the hazard warning lights are activated, however, the DRLs on these vehicles override the hazard flashing functionality after the brake pedal is pushed for more than two seconds. Normal hazard flashing functionality returns once the service brake is released. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence: If the hazard warning lamps are overridden by the DRL, oncoming vehicles may fail to be warned, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kenworth will notify owners, and dealers will update the cab controller software, free of charge. The recall began on September 167, 2015. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000. Kenworth's number for this recall is 15KWL.