How many recalls does the 2011 Kenworth C500 have?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2011 Kenworth C500 as of October 16, 2026. Each includes the defect description, safety consequence, and the remedy Kenworth will perform. New recalls can be issued at any time; this page is refreshed from NHTSA daily.

How do I tell if my 2011 Kenworth C500 is affected by a recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN — stamped at the base of the windshield on the driver side and on the door jamb sticker — at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's VIN lookup shows whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall; the list on this page covers every campaign for the 2011 Kenworth C500.

Are recall repairs on a 2011 Kenworth C500 free?

Usually. Federal law requires Kenworth to remedy recalls on the 2011 C500 free of charge at an authorized Kenworth dealer, regardless of how many owners the vehicle has had or how many miles are on the odometer — unless it was first sold more than 15 years before the recall was issued (5 years for tires).

Does a recall on the 2011 Kenworth C500 affect resale value?

An open recall can reduce resale value; a recall that has been repaired (documented in the vehicle history report) generally does not. Before you buy or sell a used 2011 Kenworth C500, check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm every recall has been remedied.

How many owner complaints are on file for the 2011 Kenworth C500?

No owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA on the 2011 Kenworth C500.

NHTSA vehicle safety data

2011 Kenworth C500 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2011 Kenworth C500 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 0 owner complaints on file as of October 16, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Kenworth dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2011 Kenworth C500. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:RESERVOIR/TANK

NHTSA #24V145000

Reported February 23, 2024 · PACCAR Incorporated

Potentially affected: 936 vehicles

Defect description

PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2009-2021 Kenworth C500, 2012-2021 Kenworth T440, 2009-2015 Kenworth T660, 2015-2024 Kenworth T680, 2009-2024 Kenworth T800, 2009-2020 Kenworth T370, 2014-2023 Kenworth T880, 2011-2016 Kenworth T470, 2023 Kenworth T480, and 2009-2019 Kenworth W900 vehicles. The air tanks have an insufficient volume of air for the brake system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Safety consequence

Insufficient air volume can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will install the correct volume air tanks, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 12, 2024. Additional owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2025. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR's number for this recall is 24KWD.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

NHTSA #15V271000

Reported May 8, 2015 · PACCAR Incorporated

Potentially affected: 104,807 vehicles

Defect description

PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Kenworth T270, T370, T440, T470, C500, C540, C550, T660, T800, W900, and 963 trucks manufactured November 1, 2010, to April 6, 2015. In the affected trucks, water may leak into the wiper motor.

Safety consequence

As water leaks in, the wiper may cease to function on the 'intermittent' setting, reducing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the water may cause corrosion which, over time, may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

PACCAR is still developing and testing a remedy. The recall is expected to begin in July 2015. An interim letter was sent to owners on July 2, 2015. The recall began on September 2, 1015. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000. PACCAR's number for this recall is 15KWF.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

NHTSA #11V203000

Reported March 24, 2011 · PACCAR INCORPORATED

Potentially affected: 5,831 vehicles

Defect description

PACCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 KENWORTH C500, T2000, T600, AND T660, AS WELL AS MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 PETERBILT 387 AND 388 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR C15 ENGINE AND MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 11, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 17, 2010. DEGRADATION OF A COMBUSTION TUBE WELD CAN CAUSE RADIAL HEAT IMPINGEMENT ON THE BODY WHICH MAY BURN THROUGH CERTAIN BODIES USED ON C15 ENGINES.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

CATERPILLAR IS HANDLING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. PLEASE SEE CATERPILLAR'S DEFECT REPORT 11E-006. CATERPILLAR WILL REPLACE THE SINGLE PIECE COMBUSTION TUBE WITH A THICK WALL COMBUSTION TUBE WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW THE HEAT TO BREAK THROUGH. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. DUE TO A PARTS SUPPLY ISSUE, OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY THE END OF APRIL 2011 ABOUT THE SAFETY DEFECT, AND WILL THEN BE NOTIFIED AGAIN ONCE THE FREE REMEDY IS AVAILABLE, CURRENTLY ESTIMATED TO BE AROUND LATE JULY 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CATERPILLAR TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-447-4986.

Notes

KENWORTH SAFETY RECALL NO. 11KWB & PETERBILT SAFETY RECALL NO. 0311-A.OWNERS 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SLACK ADJUSTERS

NHTSA #11V157000

Reported March 7, 2011 · PACCAR INCORPORATED

Potentially affected: 280 vehicles

Defect description

PACCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 KENWORTH T270/370, T440/T470, T800, T660, W900 AND C500 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN OCTOBER 18, 2010, AND JANUARY 28, 2011. CERTAIN CAST IRON SLACK ADJUSTER HOUSINGS, WHICH TRANSMIT BRAKING FORCE FROM THE BRAKE CHAMBER PUSH ROD TO THE BRAKE CAM TUBE, MAY INCLUDE A FLOW NOTCH IN THE HANDLE PORTION OF THE HOUSING DUE TO AN ERROR DURING THE CASTING PROCESS. A FLOW NOTCH IN THE HANDLE PORTION MAY REDUCE THE EFFECTIVE CROSS SECTION STRUCTURE AND CAUSE THE SLACK ADJUSTER HOUSING TO FRACTURE.

Safety consequence

IF THE SLACK ADJUSTER HOUSING WERE TO FRACTURE, THE WHEEL BRAKE TO WHICH THE SLACK ADJUSTER HOUSING IS ATTACHED WOULD NO LONGER FUNCTION, WHICH COULD INCREASE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCES, AND IF MOUNTED ON THE STEER AXLE, COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO ONE SIDE DURING BRAKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE SLACK ADJUSTER HOUSING AS NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440.

Notes

KENWORTH SAFETY RECALL. NO.11KWA.OWNERS 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

NHTSA #10V452000

Reported September 29, 2010 · PACCAR INCORPORATED

Potentially affected: 3,040 vehicles

Defect description

KENWORTH IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 T660, T800, W900, C500, T440, AND T470 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 1, 2009, THROUGH AUGUST 30, 2010. ONE OF THE FOUR HARNESS SPADE TERMINAL CONNECTIONS TO THE CHASSIS LOAD CENTER MAY BECOME COMPLETELY UNSEATED. A COMPLETELY UNSEATED CONNECTION MAY RESULT IN A POWER LOSS TO A PORTION OF THE VEHICLE'S EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

Safety consequence

POWER LOSS OF THE VEHICLE'S EXTERIOR LIGHTING MAY REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE TO OTHER DRIVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH WITH THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HARNESS AND RE-SEATING THE FEMALE CONNECTORS ON THE MALE SPADE TERMINALS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.

Notes

PACCAR SAFETY RECALL NO. 10KWG. OWNERS 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DRUM:CHAMBER

NHTSA #10V212000

Reported May 18, 2010 · PACCAR INCORPORATED

Potentially affected: 10 vehicles

Defect description

KENWORTH IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 C500 TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 24, 2008 THROUGH JANUARY 13, 2010. DURING MANEUVERS WITH CERTAIN COMBINATIONS OF WHEEL TURN, ARTICULATION, AND BUMP, THE BRAKE CHAMBER CAN CONTACT THE REAR HOOD SUPPORT.

Safety consequence

THE CONTACT CAN DAMAGE THE BRAKE CHAMBER LEADING TO A LOSS OF BRAKING FUNCTION AT THE AFFECTED WHEEL END, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

KENWORTH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 8, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.

Notes

KENWORTH'S RECALL NUMBER IS 10KWC.OWNERS 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

Other Kenworth C500 model years

Check your 2011 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