repaired · 2026 Q2
Supply: reservoir/tank
Risk. Insufficient air volume can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
2009 Kenworth T800Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 2 owner complaints about the 2009 Kenworth T800, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 19 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 February 23, 2024. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2009 Kenworth T800 has problems
2 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
1Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
19 recalls
2009 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.
repaired · 2022 Q1
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Risk. If the driver unknowingly operates the vehicle without the ABS functioning, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
repaired · 2015 Q1
Service brakes
Risk. Brakes that take longer to apply may lengthen the distance needed to stop the truck, increasing the risk of a crash.
no report yet
Storage: tank assembly
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.
Show 15 more recalls
no report yet
Disc: caliper
Risk. AS THIS INTERFERENCE GETS LARGER, THIS COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO REDUCED BRAKING PERFORMANCE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Steering: column
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.
no report yet
Power train: axle assembly
Risk. IF MULTIPLE FASTENERS WERE TO BECOME LOOSE, THE REAR AXLE MAY SHIFT RELATIVE TO THE REAR SUSPENSION LEAF SPRING, WHICH CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A…
no report yet
Engine: diesel
Risk. THIS CONDITION WILL PERMIT HOT EXHAUST GASES TO EXIT THE VEHICLE TAILPIPE, INCREASING THE RISK OF MELTING OR BURNING OF NEARBY SURFACES, OR A FIRE.
no report yet
Steering: column
Risk. A SEPARATION OF THE SPLINED AND NON-SPLINED TUBES COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Service brakes, air
Risk. CRACKING CAN CAUSE A COMPLETE FRACTURE OF THE CAM TUBE, WHICH COULD INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND DECREASE PARKING BRAKE HOLD CAPABILITY.
no report yet
Power train: axle assembly
Risk. THIS CAN ALLOW THE FASTENERS TO SHEAR AND FALL EITHER ONTO THE ROADWAY OR INTO THE DRUM BRAKE ASSEMBLY, POTENTIALLY ALLOWING THE BRAKE TO BIND AND CAUSING…
no report yet
Service brakes, air: disc
Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPACITY AND ALSO A ROAD DEBRIS HAZARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Suspension
Risk. A FAILURE MAY REDUCE VEHICLE BRAKE PERFORMANCE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Engine: diesel
Risk. A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR IF ANOTHER VEHICLE STRIKES THE DPF ON THE ROADWAY.
no report yet
Engine: diesel
Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
no report yet
Service brakes, air: disc
Risk. THE CATCHING OF THE PISTON HEAD/PLATE ON THE REDUCING RING MAY LOCK UP THE CORRESPONDING FRONT AIR DISC BRAKE WHICH MAY IMPACT THE OPERATOR'S ABILITY TO STEER…
no report yet
Suspension
Risk. THE INSUFFICIENT TORQUE MAY ALLOW THE AXLE U-BOLT TO LOOSEN IF UNDETECTED, COULD IMPACT LONG TERM SUSPENSION PERFORMANCE AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Conventional: air
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…
no report yet
Trailer hitches
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…
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
2009 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
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2009 Kenworth T800, and the recalls they led to.
- Driveshaft separates from tractorLed to recall 10V-634
In owners' words
What T800 owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
A TRACTOR UPDATE PROGRAM WAS INITIATED BY KENWORTH EARLY IN 2009 THAT INVOLVED THE 2008 T-800 TRACTORS. THE UPDATE REQUIRED THE INSTALLATION OF A 150 A "MEGAFUSE" INTO THE MAIN POSITIVE CONDUCTOR SUPPLYING ALL TRACTOR ELECTRICAL POWER (NOT TO THE STARTER MOTOR SOLENOID). SINCE THE "MEGAFUSE" WAS…
Own a 2009 T800?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.