NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Kenworth C500 Recalls & Complaints

The 1996 Kenworth C500 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file as of October 21, 2026. try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 1996 Kenworth C500. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Kenworth dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Kenworth C500. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

PACCAR/KENWORTH/AIR RESERVOIR

NHTSA #03V126000 · Service Brakes, Air · NHTSA notice

Reported March 31, 2003 · PACCAR INCORPORATED

Potentially affected: 45 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 03KW3 · Owners notified May 5, 2003 · Vehicles built January 21, 1991 – February 25, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR P 18X7 BRAKES WITH 36" BRAKE CHAMBERS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE TRUCKS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A COMBINED AIR RESERVOIR VOLUME LESS THAN 12 TIMES THE COMBINED VOLUME OF ALL SERVICE BRAKE CHAMBERS.

Safety consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL ADD AN ADDITIONAL TANK OR CHANGE ONE OF THE EXISTING AIR TANKS TO A LARGER SIZE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 5, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.

Notes

KENWORTH RECALL NO. 03KW3. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

PACCAR/KENWORTH/LOWER SWAY ARM BOLTS

NHTSA #01V051000 · Suspension — Front — Control Arm — Lower Arm · NHTSA notice

Reported February 20, 2001 · PACCAR, INCORPORATED

Potentially affected: 209 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 01KW02 · Owners notified March 27, 2001 · Vehicles built February 19, 1996 – February 9, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 54" REAR AXLE SPACING CONFIGURATION OF THE AIRGLIDE 200 SUSPENSION WITH THE SERVICE APPLICATION IDENTIFIED AS LOGGER, DUMP TRUCK, OR TANKER. THE REAR SUSPENSION IS REGULARLY SUBJECTED TO EXTREME ARTICULATION, RESULTING IN FLEXING OF THE JOINT.

Safety consequence

FAILURE OF THE LOWER SWAY ARM ATTACHING BOLTS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER SWAY ARM BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5000.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

PACCAR/ELECTRICAL/FUEL LINE ROUTING

NHTSA #98V129000 · Electrical System — Wiring — Front Underhood · NHTSA notice

Reported June 11, 1998 · PACCAR, INCORPORATED

Potentially affected: 9,500 vehicles

Owners notified July 2, 1998 · Vehicles built June 1, 1996 – May 31, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR 3406E ENGINES. THE ROUTING OF THE ELECTRICAL AND FUEL LINES CAN CAUSE CHAFFING OF THE WIRING HARNESS ON THE FUEL LINE.

Safety consequence

THIS CHAFFING CAN CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE AND A POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT, ADJUST, AND REPAIR, IF NECESSARY, THE FUEL LINE AND ELECTRICAL HARNESS.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 1998.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-206-828-5418.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Exterior Lighting — Turn Signal — Switch

NHTSA #96V056000 · NHTSA notice

Reported April 3, 1996 · PACCAR, INCORPORATED

Potentially affected: 617 vehicles

Owners notified May 13, 1996 · Vehicles built February 12, 1996 – March 9, 1996 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

THE WIRES THAT CORRESPOND TO THE VEHICLE'S REAR TURN SIGNALS WERE REVERSED WHEN INSTALLED IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION WILL CAUSE THE REAR TURN SIGNALS TO FLASH OPPOSITE FROM THE DIRECTION INTENDED BY THE DRIVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH.

Notes

SYSTEM: LIGHTING; SWITCH; TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-206-828-5418. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1996 Kenworth C500. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 1996 Kenworth C500.

Other Kenworth C500 model years

Check your 1996 Kenworth C500 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Kenworth C500 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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