2008 Kenworth T800 recalls and problems
The 2008 Kenworth T800 has 25 safety recalls and 1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Kenworth dealer.
Recalls may cover only some 2008 Kenworth T800 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.
2008 Kenworth T800 recalls
Recall 20V-199: Service Brakes, Air, Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Problem: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2008-2019 Peterbilt 330, 335, 337, 340, 348, 365, 367, 384, 386, 387, 388, 389, 567, 579 and 587 vehicles and 2008-2020 Kenworth T170, T270, T370, T660, T680, T800, T880, and W900 vehicles equipped with NAMUX Software. In the event that the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) loses battery and/or ignition power to the controller, the dash warning light for the ABS may not illuminate to warn the driver of the loss of ABS. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems," and 136, "Electronic Stability Control System on Heavy Vehicles."
Risk: If the driver unknowingly operates the vehicle without the ABS functioning, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will update the NAMUX software within the cab control module, free of charge. PACCAR issued owners an interim notification on June 4, 2020. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 20pbc AND 20KWB.
Recall 13V-573: Service Brakes
Problem: PACCAR is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 Kenworth T800 and W900 trucks manufactured March 22, 2006, through July 15, 2013 and equipped with Primaax tridem rear suspensions and a pusher and/or tag axle. The affected trucks have brake chambers that take longer to apply or release the brakes than the required time limit. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 121, "Air Brake Systems."
Risk: Brakes that take longer to apply may lengthen the distance needed to stop the truck, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will modify the air brake system, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2014. Owners may contact PACCAR at 1-425-468-7400. Kenworth's recall number is 13KWL.
Recall 11V-127: Fuel System, Other
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.
Recall 10V-634: Power Train
Problem: Paccar is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 kenworth and peterbilt vehicles manufactured from february 2, 2006 through april 30, 2007. The bearing surfaces of the extended lube universal joint that attaches the inter-axle driveline to the drive axle may become prematurely worn due to breakdown of lubrication and/or excessive heat. Prematurely worn bearing surfaces may result in the u-joint becoming loose and/or binding. This condition may result in universal joint failure, allowing the inter-axle driveline to detach from the axle.
Risk: Detachment of the driveline from the axle may cause the vehicle to lose power and become disabled in the roadway. Also, the driveline could drop from the vehicle into the roadway increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Paccar is working with its supplier to remedy the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during february 2011. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 940-591-4196.
Recall 10V-308: Steering
Problem: Paccar is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 trucks equipped with trw steering shafts. The circumferential weld around the steering shaft tube that welds the splined tube to the non-splined tube may be mislocated. Mislocation of the circumferential weld may allow the splined tube and non-splined tube to rotate relative to one another during a low speed, high torque turn, possibly resulting in a separation of the two tubes.
Risk: A separation of the splined and non-splined tubes would cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the steering shaft using a weld placement gauge provided by trw. Any steering shaft found to have been welded improperly will be replaced free of charge. The safety recall began on july 30, 2010. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 940-591-4196.
Recall 09V-239: Service Brakes, Air
Problem: Kenworth is recalling 3,423 my 2004-2009 t2000, t800,t600, w900 and t660 vehicles. Increased brake excitation in a certain vehicle configuration which includes bendix drum brakes, wide base low profile single tires, and an ag400 or ag460 rear suspension, due to its unique brake clocking and cam tube length, can cause fatigue and cracking to brake assembly components.
Risk: Cracking can cause a complete fracture of the cam tube, which could increase stopping distance and decrease parking brake hold capability.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear axle brakes assembly, replace cracked rear axle brakes assembly components where required, and install cam tube support brackets on all rear axle wheel ends free of charge. The recall is expected to begin or before july 25, 2009. Owner may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440.
Recall 09V-166: Service Brakes, Air
Problem: Paccar is recalling 140 my 2005, 2007-2009 t800, w900, and t660 trucks. The caliper mounting fasteners attaching the air disc brake caliper assembly to the torque plate may have received insufficient torque during the installation process. The insufficient torque may allow the air disc brake caliper assembly to become loose and possibly separate from the vehicle.
Risk: This could result in reduced braking capacity and also a road debris hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect air disc brake caliper assemblies and replace the caliper mounting fasteners and torque properly. This service will be performed free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440.
Recall 09V-019: Engine and Engine Cooling
Problem: Paccar is recalling 1098 kenworth my 2008 t800, w900, my 2008-2009 t2000 and peterbilt my 2007-2009 379 and 387 trucks equipped with c15 caterpillar diesel engines. The aftertreatment regeneration device (Ard) may develop a hole and heat and flame may escape during a regeneration of the diesel particulate filter.
Risk: This may result in a fire hazard.
Fix: Paccar is working with caterpillar and will inspect and remedy the engines free of charge. Owners may contact caterpillar at 1-800-447-4986, kenworth at 425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 940-591-4196.
Recall 08V-485: Suspension
Problem: Paccar is recalling 130 my 2004-2009 t2000, t800, t600, w900 and t660 kenworth trucks built with an ag400 rear suspension, long stroke brake chambers, and wide base tires (Super singles). These vehicles may develop an increase in lateral and vertical axle movement. This movement may cause part or parts of the brake assembly (Brake cam tube support, brake chamber bracket, brake chamber, brake spider) to develop fatigue cracks, possibly resulting in the failure of the part or parts within the brake assembly.
Risk: A failure may reduce vehicle brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install the cam tube support brackets on all of the rear axle wheel ends. Inspect the rear axle brake assembly and replace it if cracked. The recall is expected to begin during november 2008. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440.
Recall 08V-487: Engine and Engine Cooling
Problem: Paccar is recalling 4,883 my 2006-2009 kenworth t600, t660, t800, w900, t2000 and my 2008-2009 peterbilt 365, 367, 379, 384, 386, 387, 388 and 389 trucks. Inadequate stiffness of the diesel particulate filter (Dpf) bracket could result in separation of the DPF from the chassis.
Risk: A vehicle crash could occur if another vehicle strikes the DPF on the roadway.
Fix: Paccar is working with caterpillar to repair these vehicles (Please see 08e041). Owners may contact caterpillar at 1-800-447-4986 or kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.
Recall 08V-486: Engine and Engine Cooling
Problem: Paccar is recalling 263 my 2008-2009 kenworth t800, w900 and peterbilt 365 and 384 trucks equipped with c7 or c9 caterpillar diesel engines. The fuel pump outlet check plug may be cracked which could cause fuel to spray and leak.
Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: Paccar is working with caterpillar (Please see 08e042). Caterpillar will replace the fuel pump plug free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during september 2008. Owners may contact caterpillar at-1-800-447-4986 or kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.
Recall 08V-128: Parking Brake
Problem: Paccar is recalling 1,043 my 2008-2009 kenworth c500, t2000,t660, t800 and w900 trucks equipped with bendix mv-3 dash control valves. The molded valve body has an incorrect core pin in the injection mold causing the valve body to be oversized in the double check valve area. This condition can allow the rubber double check valve to become lodged in the body opening under certain circumstances.
Risk: If the double check valve becomes lodged, in the event of a primary reservoir failure, air pressure can leak past the lodged double check valve thereby depleting the secondary reservoir, causing reduced ability for modulating the service emergency brakes. In such an event, the operator should observe an air leak, indications of low air pressure via the primary and secondary air gauges, and audible and visual low air pressure warning alarms. A vehicle crash is possible if these warnings are not heeded.
Fix: Dealers will replace the bendix mv-3 dash control valves free of charge. The recall began on april 14, 2008. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-4196.
Recall 08V-104: Trailer Hitches
Problem: Paccar is recalling 318 my 2007-2009 kenworth t800, w900, and peterbilt 357, 365, 367, 378, 379, 384, 385, 386,388, and 389 trucks equipped with premier trailer hitch assemblies. The pintle hitch assemblies may have been manufactured in a manner resulting in a reduction of fatigue strength of the pivot pins.
Risk: This reduction of fatigue strength could cause the pivot pin to crack and eventually break, causing the trailer to detach from the truck while in motion, which could cause a crash that could result in personal injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the potentially defective pivot pin free of charge. The recall began on april 18, 2008. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.
Recall 08V-065: Latches/Locks/Linkages
Problem: Paccar is recalling 6,169 my 2008 kenworth t300, t660, t800, t2000, w900 and c500 vehicles and my 2008-2009 peterbilt models 365, 367, 384, 387, 388, 389 and 389 kits. Certain door latch assemblies on these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 206, 'door locks and door retention components." the rotor in some of these door latch assemblies did not receive the proper heat treatment and may be soft.
Risk: In the event of a crash, force could cause the rotor to crack and the door would not have primary or secondary closing security which could possibly lead to injury of the vehicle occupant.
Fix: Paccar is working with trimark and will inspect and replace the door latch if it is found to be defective. The recall began on march 14, 2008. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.
Recall 08V-002: Service Brakes, Air
Problem: Certain trucks equipped with eaton synflex eclipse brand extruded nylon air brake hose tubing fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 106, "brake hoses." the tubing was manufactured with only four layers of nylon material, instead of the specified five layers.
Risk: The diameter of the hose affects the fittings which may allow air to leak from the brakes and create the potential for a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the air brake hoses and, if necessary, replace the hoses. The recall began on february 22, 2008. Owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.
Older recalls
| Recall | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07V-591 | Dec 20, 2007 | Steering | On certain kenworth and peterbilt heavy duty trucks equipped with tas-85 trw steering gears, the inner surface of the outer sector shaft teeth of the steering gears may have an incorrect involute profile, which may lead… |
| 07V-287 | Jul 5, 2007 | Engine and Engine Cooling | On certain trucks built with cummins ism c876 engines, the electronic control module fails to recognize inputs of the vehicle electronic control unit or from a driver actuated dash switch thereby increasing the risk of… |
| 07V-269 | Jun 26, 2007 | Trailer Hitches | On certain trucks, the removable tow hitch ,when used to tow or lift a vehicle, can fail due to defective material in the tow hitch. |
| 07V-165 | Apr 18, 2007 | Electrical System | Certain truck equipped with behr cables, the cables were installed incorrectly and are too long. |
| 07V-153 | Apr 10, 2007 | Fuel System, Gasoline | On certain trucks, if the ignition switch is turned on prior to initial start up in the manufacturing plant or during the filter replacement in the field, a small flame will ignite when the fuel is added to prime the… |
| 07V-132 | Mar 22, 2007 | Power Train | On certain trucks, the axle housings may have been manufactured with steel that was out of specification which could result in a fatigue failure over time. |
| 07V-107 | Mar 16, 2007 | Power Train | On certain trucks, the wiring, parts, or transmission programming required for the auto neutral feature to function as designed were either not installed, connected, or programmed properly. |
| 07V-073 | Mar 2, 2007 | Service Brakes, Air | Certain trucks fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. |
| 06V-447 | Nov 24, 2006 | Steering | On certain trucks equipped with a trw tilt/telescoping steering column, the tilt locking mechanism on the steering column may disengage. |
| 06V-446 | Nov 24, 2006 | Vehicle Speed Control | An incorrect switch was installed in the cruise control system on certain model t300 trucks. |
2008 Kenworth T800 problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 |
Most reported parts
- Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly — 1
- Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly — 1
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2008 Kenworth T800 complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Other Kenworth T800 years
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2008 Kenworth T800 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 25 recalls for the 2008 Kenworth T800: 20V-199 (service brakes, air, electronic stability control (esc)), 13V-573 (service brakes), 11V-127 (fuel system, other), 10V-634 (power train), 10V-308 (steering) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Kenworth T800?
Owners report fuel system, gasoline problems most often (1 reports), followed by fuel system, other (1).
Are Kenworth recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Kenworth dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.