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.
2008 Kenworth W900Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 1 owner complaint about the 2008 Kenworth W900, most often about the steering. It is covered by 20 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 July 23, 2025. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 Kenworth W900 has problems
1 complaint grouped by the system owners reported.
1Steering1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
20 recalls
2008 Kenworth W900 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 · 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.
no report yet
Power train: axle assembly
Risk. DETACHMENT OF THE DRIVELINE FROM THE AXLE MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND BECOME DISABLED IN THE ROADWAY.
Show 16 more recalls
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
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
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
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
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…
no report yet
Doors: latch
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…
no report yet
Supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
no report yet
12v/24v/48v battery: cables
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.
no report yet
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
Risk. THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS FOR THE FLAME TO SPREAD RESULTING IN POSSIBLE EQUIPMENT DAMAGE OR PHYSICAL INJURY.
no report yet
Power train: axle assembly
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.
no report yet
Power train: automatic transmission
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.
no report yet
Steering: column
Risk. SHOULD THE LOCKING MECHANISM DISENGAGE, THE TILTING TRAVEL OF THE COLUMN WOULD BE UNRESTRICTED.
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 W900 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 W900 median. How we score
'75'76'77'78'82'83'91'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'27
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2008 Kenworth W900, and the recalls they led to.
- Horton Fan Hub FailuresNo recall
- Driveshaft separates from tractorLed to recall 10V-634
Own a 2008 W900?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.