2008 Kenworth T800Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 1 owner complaint about the 2008 Kenworth T800, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 25 safety recalls, and for recall 13V-573 the manufacturer reports only 6% of affected cars repaired.

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 6, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2008 Kenworth T800 has problems

1 complaint 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
Fuel system, gasoline10
Fuel system, other10

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

25 recalls

2008 Kenworth T800 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.

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 →

6%repaired · 2015 Q1

Service brakes

Recall 13V-573 · Nov 18, 2013 · 18 vehicles · 1 repaired

Risk. Brakes that take longer to apply may lengthen the distance needed to stop the truck, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Storage: tank assembly

Recall 11V-127 · Feb 23, 2011 · 4,664 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power train: axle assembly

Recall 10V-634 · Dec 13, 2010 · 12,873 vehicles

Risk. DETACHMENT OF THE DRIVELINE FROM THE AXLE MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND BECOME DISABLED IN THE ROADWAY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 21 more recalls
–no report yet

Steering: column

Recall 10V-308 · Jul 2, 2010 · 9,697 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, air

Recall 09V-239 · Jun 30, 2009 · 3,423 vehicles

Risk. CRACKING CAN CAUSE A COMPLETE FRACTURE OF THE CAM TUBE, WHICH COULD INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND DECREASE PARKING BRAKE HOLD CAPABILITY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, air: disc

Recall 09V-166 · May 19, 2009 · 140 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPACITY AND ALSO A ROAD DEBRIS HAZARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Conventional: air

Recall 08V-128 · Mar 21, 2008 · 1,043 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Trailer hitches

Recall 08V-104 · Mar 10, 2008 · 318 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Doors: latch

Recall 08V-065 · Feb 7, 2008 · 6,169 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 08V-002 · Jan 8, 2008 · 2,794 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Gear box: shaft sector

Recall 07V-591 · Dec 20, 2007 · 559 vehicles

Risk. THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE MAY CAUSE A "BIND/STICK" CONDITION IN THE VEHICLE STEERING DURING A TURN INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 07V-287 · Jul 5, 2007 · 618 vehicles

Risk. WHILE THIS CONDITION DOES NOT INVOLVE A RISK OF FIRE IN THE VEHICLE ITSELF, IT COULD PRESENT A FIRE HAZARD IN A SITUATION WHERE THE VEHICLE'S EXHAUST IS IN…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Trailer hitches

Recall 07V-269 · Jun 26, 2007 · 9,571 vehicles

Risk. IF THE TOW HITCH ASSEMBLY FAILS WHILE A VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED OR LIFTED, IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

12v/24v/48v battery: cables

Recall 07V-165 · Apr 18, 2007 · 302 vehicles

Risk. IF THE HOOD BEGINS TO FALL, THE LONGER CABLE WILL CAUSE THE HOOD TO FALL TOO FAR, POTENTIALLY INJURING SOMEONE WORKING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery

Recall 07V-153 · Apr 10, 2007 · 306 vehicles

Risk. THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS FOR THE FLAME TO SPREAD RESULTING IN POSSIBLE EQUIPMENT DAMAGE OR PHYSICAL INJURY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power train: axle assembly

Recall 07V-132 · Mar 22, 2007 · 245 vehicles

Risk. IF A FATIGUE FAILURE OCCURS AND IS LEFT UNATTENDED, THE AXLE MAY LOCK UP OR THE END OF THE AXLE COULD COME OFF, WHICH MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 07V-107 · Mar 16, 2007 · 4,592 vehicles

Risk. IF ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL WHEN LEFT IN DRIVE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE SET ENGAGED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, air

Recall 07V-073 · Mar 2, 2007 · 1,377 vehicles

Risk. SHOULD POWER BE LOST, THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS WOULD NOT PROVIDE POWER TO THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM ON THE TOWED VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Steering: column

Recall 06V-447 · Nov 24, 2006 · 443 vehicles

Risk. SHOULD THE LOCKING MECHANISM DISENGAGE, THE TILTING TRAVEL OF THE COLUMN WOULD BE UNRESTRICTED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control: cruise control

Recall 06V-446 · Nov 24, 2006 · 116 vehicles

Risk. A LIGHT APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES WILL NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE SYSTEM WILL HAVE TO BE SHUT OFF BY THE DASH SWITCH.

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

2008 vs. every other T800 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 T800 median. How we score

'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2008 Kenworth T800, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Horton Fan Hub FailuresEA09008 · closed Aug 27, 2010
    No recall
  2. Driveshaft separates from tractorPE10029 · closed Dec 23, 2010
    Led to recall 10V-634
In owners' words

What T800 owners report

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

2008 KENWORTH T800B. CONSUMER STATES SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE TO INCLUDE LIQUID NATURAL GAS LEAKS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS PROMISED A WARRANTY ON THE LNG SYSTEM BY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE LNG SYSTEM IN THE TRUCK. HE WAS INFORMED HE COULD ONLY GET THE TRUCK SERVICED BY KENWORTH. HE HAS…
Complaint 10466248 · Jul 19, 2012

Own a 2008 T800?

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