NHTSA vehicle safety data
2006 Kenworth C500 Recalls & Complaints
The 2006 Kenworth C500 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Kenworth dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2006 Kenworth C500. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2006 Kenworth C500 owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2006 Kenworth C500, describing incidents dated December 13, 2010.
Most-cited components
- Electrical System 1 complaint
The complaint on file reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #10381869 · Filed
2006 KENWORTH CONVENTIONAL, WAS TRAVELING ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE AT MILE POST 201 EASTBOUND WHEN THE TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, LINE/WIRE CAUGHT ON FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0753-91) UPDATED 02/15/11 *BF
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2006 Kenworth C500 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigationsBROKEN SLACK ADJUSTERS ON SISU AXLES/FABCO
NHTSA #08V099000 · Service Brakes, Air — Slack Adjusters · NHTSA notice
Reported March 4, 2008 · PACCAR INCORPORATED
Potentially affected: 130 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign 08KW2 & 208C · Owners notified March 21, 2008 · Vehicles built September 7, 2004 – January 19, 2008 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
PACCAR IS RECALLING 130 MY 2005-2007 KENWORTH C500, T800, W900, AND PETERBILT MODELS 357 AND 379 TRACTOR TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH FABCO SLACK ADJUSTERS ON SISU AXLES. THE SLACK ADJUSTERS MAY FAIL AS A RESULT OF A FATIGUE CRACK RENDERING THE SLACK ADJUSTER INOPERATIVE. THIS COULD REDUCE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS.
Safety consequence
REDUCTION IN BRAKING CAPACITY COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE SLACK ADJUSTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 21, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440 AND PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4196.
Notes
KENWORTH RECALL NO. 08KW2 AND PETERBILT RECALL NO. 208C.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
TRANSMISSION AUTO NEUTRAL FUNCTION/ALLISON
NHTSA #07V107000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission · NHTSA notice
Reported March 16, 2007 · PACCAR INCORPORATED
Potentially affected: 4,592 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign 07KW3 · Owners notified May 9, 2007 · Vehicles built February 6, 2002 – February 26, 2007 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE WIRING, PARTS, OR TRANSMISSION PROGRAMMING REQUIRED FOR THE AUTO NEUTRAL FEATURE TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED WERE EITHER NOT INSTALLED, CONNECTED, OR PROGRAMMED PROPERLY.
Safety consequence
IF ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL WHEN LEFT IN DRIVE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE SET ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE COULD MOVE WITHOUT WARNING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE AFFECTED VEHICLES TO ENSURE THE AUTO NEUTRAL FEATURE FUNCTIONS PROPERLY AND, IF NEEDED, WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 9, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440.
Notes
KENWORTH RECALL NO. 07KW3.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
BRAKE TIMING/FMVSS 121
NHTSA #07V090000 · Service Brakes, Air · NHTSA notice
Reported March 9, 2007 · PACCAR INCORPORATED
Potentially affected: 65 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign 07KW2 · Owners notified May 21, 2007 · Vehicles built May 23, 2005 – January 14, 2007 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
CERTAIN TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE BRAKE TIMING REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE BRAKE VALVE WAS MOVED TO THE OPPOSITE RAIL, INCREASING THE LENGTH OF THE AIR LINE, WHICH IN TURN INCREASED THE WHEELBASE REQUIRING A DUAL RELAY VALVE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A SINGLE VALVE SYSTEM.
Safety consequence
IF STOPPING DISTANCE WAS LIMITED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL CONVERT THE SINGLE RELAY VALVE TO A DUAL RELAY VALVE SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 21, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440.
Notes
KENWORTH RECALL NO. 07KW2.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
ADJUSTABLE LOWER TORQUE RODS/CHALMERS
NHTSA #06V391000 · Power Train — Driveline · NHTSA notice
Reported October 13, 2006 · PACCAR INCORPORATED
Potentially affected: 572 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign 1006C & 06KW1 · Owners notified October 9, 2006 · Vehicles built March 15, 2006 – November 10, 2006 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CHALMERS REAR SUSPENSIONS, THE ADJUSTABLE TORQUE ROD END CASTINGS MAY BE BRITTLE. A BRITTLE ROD END CASTING MAY FRACTURE WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLES' REAR AXLES TO BECOME MISALIGNED.
Safety consequence
THIS MISALIGNMENT CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL STABILITY AT SPEEDS THAT MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES TO DETERMINE IF THEY WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A SUSPECT TORQUE ROD END. IF A SUSPECT TORQUE ROD END IS FOUND, THE ENTIRE TORQUE ROD WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4196 OR KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.
Notes
KENWORTH RECALL NO. 06KW1 AND PETERBILT RECALL NO. 1006C.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE/OIL LEAK
NHTSA #05V570000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice
Reported December 22, 2005 · PACCAR INCORPORATED
Potentially affected: 30,995 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign 05KW7 & 1205E · Owners notified April 17, 2006 · Vehicles built April 9, 2003 – December 14, 2005 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
ON CERTAIN TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR DIESEL ENGINES, THE VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE MAY WEAR AGAINST THE SHARP EDGE OF THE CYLINDER HEAD IF NOT POSITIONED CORRECTLY.
Safety consequence
THE OIL LINE MAY BE CUT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD CAUSING AN OIL LEAK AND A POSSIBLE FIRE.
Manufacturer remedy
CATERPILLAR, IN CONJUNCTION WITH PACCAR, WILL BE CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CALL CATERPILLAR AT 309-675-6496, KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440, OR PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201.
Notes
KENWORTH RECALL NO. 05KW7 AND PETERBILT RECALL NO. 1205E.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236(TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Other Kenworth C500 model years
Check your 2006 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.
Check a Kenworth VIN