NHTSA vehicle safety data
2012 Kenworth C500 Recalls & Complaints
The 2012 Kenworth C500 has 3 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 2012 Kenworth C500. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2012 Kenworth C500 owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2012 Kenworth C500, describing incidents dated September 6, 2013.
Most-cited components
- Wheels 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #10579000 · Filed
WE DID 20+ HOURS OF WORK ON THIS TRUCK AND ALL AFTER HOUR RATES. THIS COMPANY IS WITHHOLDING MONEY THEY OWED. WE HAVE ASKED TO WORK WITH US AND NOW THEY WILL NOT ANSWER ANY PHONE CALLS FROM US OR OUR LAWYERS. STOP THIS TRUCK. THEY OWE US $2850.00 THEY NEED TO BE STOPPED BEFORE THEY LIE OUT OF MONEY…
Insufficient Air Volume in Brake System /FMVSS 121
NHTSA #24V145000 · Service Brakes, Air — Supply — Reservoir/Tank · NHTSA notice
Reported February 23, 2024 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 936 vehicles
Repair completion: 24.04% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 24KWD · Owners notified August 12, 2024
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.
Water may Leak into Wiper Motor
NHTSA #15V271000 · Visibility — Windshield Wiper/Washer — Motor · NHTSA notice
Reported May 8, 2015 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 104,807 vehicles
Repair completion: 60.33% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 15KWF · Owners notified September 2, 2015 · Vehicles built November 1, 2010 – April 7, 2015 (per NHTSA)
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.
KENWORTH/GUNITE/SLACK ADJUSTER CAST HOUSING
NHTSA #11V157000 · Service Brakes, Air — Slack Adjusters · NHTSA notice
Reported March 7, 2011 · PACCAR INCORPORATED
Potentially affected: 280 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign 11KWA · Owners notified March 30, 2011 · Vehicles built October 18, 2010 – January 28, 2011 (per NHTSA)
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> .
Other Kenworth C500 model years
Check your 2012 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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