Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2004 Kenworth T800
The 2004 Kenworth T800 has had several recalls related to brakes, suspension, transmission, engine, and electrical issues. While these issues are serious, they mostly concern specific configurations, and normal inspections should mitigate risks. Verify repair history and inspect thoroughly to ensure reliability.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2004 Kenworth T800 has 12 NHTSA recall campaigns and 3 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09V239000 DRUM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08V485000 BRAKE ASSEMBLIES/AIRGLIDE 400 REAR SUSPENSION NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07V107000 TRANSMISSION AUTO NEUTRAL FUNCTION/ALLISON NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #05V570000 VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE/OIL LEAK NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #05V189000 FRACTURE SUSPENSION BEAM/HOLLAND NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #05V084000 BURNER TUBES/WEBASTO NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V580000 PACCAR/KENWORTH/WIRING HARNESS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V533000 PACCAR/KENWORTH/CAB SUB-ASSEMBLY NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V449000 PACCAR/KENWORTH/JOINT FASTENERS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V360000 PACCAR/KENWORTH/WIRING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V356000 PACCAR/KENWORTH CERTIFICATION LABEL NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V174000 PACCAR/FMVSS 102/TRANSMISSION HARNESS NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 1 complaint
- Unknown or Other 1 complaint
- Vehicle Speed Control 1 complaint
Of the 3 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 2 a fire; across all 3 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
Brake assembly cracking
How to check: Inspect brake assembly for cracks or fatigue signs.
Axle movement and component failure
How to check: Look for any unusual axle shifts or loose parts.
Auto neutral programming faults
How to check: Check transmission programming and wiring setup.
Oil line wear on cylinder head
How to check: Inspect oil line position and wear marks on engine.
Wiring harness not crimped properly
How to check: Check for snug connections in power feed harness.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Ensure engine starts smoothly without noise.
Red flag: Rough start or unusual noise
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Listen for abnormal engine or transmission noises.
Red flag: Knocking or rattling sounds
- 03
City driving
What to check: Check for smooth gear shifting.
Red flag: Jumpy or delayed shifting
- 04
Highway acceleration
What to check: Observe responsiveness and stability under acceleration.
Red flag: Engine hesitation or loss of power
- 05
Braking
What to check: Test for smooth, noise-free braking action.
Red flag: Squealing brakes or pedal vibration
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the brake assembly been inspected?
- Any known issues with the suspension?
- Is the transmission programming updated?
- Are there any engine oil line repairs?
- Has the wiring harness been checked?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Vehicle recall repair record
- Detailed service history
- Transmission programming documentation
- Oil line inspection report
- Wiring harness inspection report
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2004 Kenworth T800 at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
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