2016 Kenworth T680Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 6 owner complaints about the 2016 Kenworth T680, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 16 safety recalls, and for recall 24V-145 the manufacturer reports only 24% of affected cars repaired.

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 23, 2024. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2016 Kenworth T680 has problems

6 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system10
Fuel/propulsion system10
Seat belts10
Service brakes10
Service brakes, hydraulic10
Visibility/wiper10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

16 recalls

2016 Kenworth T680 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

24%repaired · 2026 Q2

Supply: reservoir/tank

Recall 24V-145 · Feb 23, 2024 · 936 vehicles · 225 repaired

Risk. Insufficient air volume can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

34%repaired · 2024 Q3

Electrical system: wiring

Recall 21V00N000 · Dec 29, 2021 · 1,107 vehicles · 371 repaired

Risk. The operator may be unaware of a system malfunction or the presence of excessive methane levels, increasing the risk of injury or fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

70%repaired · 2022 Q4

Service brakes, air: antilock

Recall 20V-593 · Sep 28, 2020 · 1,416 vehicles · 986 repaired

Risk. Longer than expected service-brake release timing may lengthen vehicle stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

27%repaired · 2022 Q1

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Recall 20V-199 · Apr 6, 2020 · 460,515 vehicles · 125,765 repaired

Risk. If the driver unknowingly operates the vehicle without the ABS functioning, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 12 more recalls
61%repaired · 2020 Q2

Exterior lighting

Recall 18V-816 · Nov 16, 2018 · 1,619 vehicles · 988 repaired

Risk. Missing reflex reflectors can reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

30%repaired · 2022 Q1

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Recall 18V-368 · Jun 1, 2018 · 85,626 vehicles · 26,063 repaired

Risk. If the driver unknowingly operates the vehicle without the ABS functioning, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

63%repaired · 2019 Q1

Steering

Recall 17V-593 · Sep 22, 2017 · 17,737 vehicles · 11,099 repaired

Risk. If the tie rod loosens, it may disconnect from the steering knuckle, causing a complete loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

67%repaired · 2018 Q4

Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers

Recall 17V-471 · Jul 25, 2017 · 5,731 vehicles · 3,830 repaired

Risk. A short in the spotlight circuitry may increase the risk of a fire at the cab fuse block.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

41%repaired · 2018 Q3

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 17V-103 · Feb 15, 2017 · 465 vehicles · 189 repaired

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

56%repaired · 2017 Q1

Power train: manual transmission

Recall 15V-639 · Oct 9, 2015 · 27 vehicles · 15 repaired

Risk. Even though the transmission has been shifted out of reverse into neutral, the vehicle may unexpectedly move backwards, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

78%repaired · 2016 Q4

Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights

Recall 15V-458 · Jul 22, 2015 · 12,551 vehicles · 9,824 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

76%repaired · 2016 Q4

Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Recall 15V-272 · May 11, 2015 · 49 vehicles · 37 repaired

Risk. If the rear wheel lug nuts are undertorqued, the wheels may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

76%repaired · 2016 Q4

Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator

Recall 15V-270 · May 8, 2015 · 1,494 vehicles · 1,138 repaired

Risk. If the alternator cable rubs through its insulation, an electrical short may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

100%repaired · 2015 Q4

Power train: axle assembly

Recall 15V-196 · Apr 3, 2015 · 24 vehicles · 24 repaired

Risk. Without adequate lubrication to the wheel end hub assembly, the bearings may fail prematurely, increasing the risk of a wheel-end fire or crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Kenworth.

Best & worst years

2016 vs. every other T680 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the T680 median. How we score

'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2016 Kenworth T680, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Haldex Brake Chamber FailuresPE21018 · closed Oct 10, 2025
    No recall
In owners' words

What T680 owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

HAVE SOMEONE REMOTELY HACKING INTO ECM BOARD TURNING OFF THINGS ON TRUCKS HAD FREIGHTLINER YEARS BACK THEY KEPT REMOTELY SHUTTING OFF OPT IDLE AN JAKE BRAKE HAD INTERNATIONAL IN 2014 THEY THREW ON TRAILER BRAKES TRYING TO WRECK TRUCK STRAIGHTENED OUT THEN THEY DID AGAIN IN SNOW STORM? ON I-80 IN…
Complaint 11062559 · Jan 13, 2018 · 319,220 miles

Own a 2016 T680?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.