NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Kenworth T600 Recalls & Complaints

The 2003 Kenworth T600 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Kenworth dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Kenworth T600. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

2003 Kenworth T600 owner complaints

Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Kenworth T600, describing incidents dated July 24, 2002 to April 6, 2009.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 1 complaint
Equipment 1 complaint
Service Brakes 1 complaint

Of the 2 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash; across both complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10266609 · Filed April 24, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KENWORTH T600. WHILE DRIVING 60MPH IN LIGHT RAIN, SNOW AND HEAVY WIND WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE STRONG WIND PUSHED THE VEHICLE OVER ONTO THE DRIVER SIDE, BEGIN SLIDING DOWN A HILL AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACTS HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEELS AND WAS CUT BY BROKEN…
ODI #10029098 · Filed July 24, 2003
FAILURE OF JAKE BRAKES ON 2003 KENWORTH T-600. THE JAKE BRAKES ON MY KENWORTH FAILED TO COME ON. I DIRECTED IT TO THE KENWORTH DEALERSHIP IN CARLISLE, PA. WHO AFTER MANY HOURS OF DIAGNOSISING DETERMINED THAT THE JAKE BRAKES HAD FAILED BECAUSE A WIRE HAD COME LOOSE AT THE BACK OF THE AM/FM RADIO!!!!…

Read all 2 complaints

PACCAR/FMVSS 102/TRANSMISSION HARNESS

NHTSA #04V174000 · Electrical System — Wiring · NHTSA notice

Reported April 12, 2004 · PACCAR INCORPORATED

Potentially affected: 25 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 04KW1 · Owners notified May 7, 2004 · Vehicles built February 5, 2003 – January 13, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH EATON FULLER ULTRASONIC TRANSMISSIONS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT." THE CAB TRANSMISSION HARNESS COULD HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY WIRED DURING PRODUCTION INSTALLATION.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE THE NEUTRAL START FEATURE OF THE TRANSMISSION TO DISABLE ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO START IN GEAR INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE CONNECTIONS IN THE WIRING HARNESS IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.

Notes

KENWORTH RECALL NO. 04KW1.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/BATTERY BOX CIRCUIT BREAKER

NHTSA #03V285000 · Electrical System — Wiring — Fuses and Circuit Breakers · NHTSA notice

Reported August 5, 2003 · PACCAR INCORPORATED

Potentially affected: 117 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 03KW7 · Owners notified September 16, 2003 · Vehicles built July 1, 2002 – July 28, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, THE MAIN CAB WIRING HARNESS WAS INCORRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE 50 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER INSTEAD OF THE 135 AMP BREAKER.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND THE WIRING WILL BE CORRECTED IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 16, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.

Notes

KENWORTH RECALL NO. 03KW7.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/GRAB HANDLE

NHTSA #03V234000 · Unknown or Other · NHTSA notice

Reported July 1, 2003 · PACCAR INCORPORATED

Potentially affected: 84 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 03KW5 · Owners notified July 29, 2003 · Vehicles built November 12, 2002 – April 30, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH VERTICAL TAIL PIPES, THE FRAME ACCESS GRABHANDLE IS MOUNTED TOO HIGH.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A PERSON TO SLIP AND/OR FALL AND COULD LEAD TO PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE GRABHANDLE LOCATION AND IF DETERMINED TO BE MOUNTED TOO HIGH, THE HANDLE WILL BE RELOCATED TO THE PROPER HEIGHT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.

Notes

KENWORTH RECALL NO. 03KW5.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/FIFTH WHEELS/FATIGUE CRACKS

NHTSA #03V168000 · Trailer Hitches — Fifth Wheel Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported May 5, 2003 · PACCAR INCORPORATED

Potentially affected: 483 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 03KW4/403-C · Owners notified June 18, 2003 · Vehicles built July 18, 2001 – May 15, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH JOST INTERNATIONAL JSK 37U SERIES FIFTH WHEELS, A FATIGUE CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE BRACKET PIN WELD UNDER CERTAIN LOADING CONDITIONS.

Safety consequence

IF LEFT UNDETECTED OR CORRECTED IT COULD LEAD TO THE SEPARATION OF THE FIFTH WHEEL TOP PLATE FROM ITS MOUNTING STRUCTURE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRACKET PINS AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. PETERBILT'S OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 20, 2003. KENWORTH'S OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 12, 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 PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201 OR KENWORTH 425-828-5440.

Notes

PETERBILT RECALL NO. 403-C/KENWORTH RECALL NO. 03KW4.ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

PACCAR/KENWORTH/TRAILER LIGHTS

NHTSA #03V045000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported February 13, 2003 · PACCAR INCORPORATED

Potentially affected: 9,890 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 03KW1 · Owners notified March 14, 2003 · Vehicles built May 23, 2002 – February 14, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRAILER CONNECTIONS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS (FMVSS) NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS," AND NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE SUPPLIER REMOVED A RUBBER GROMMET FROM THE TRAILER LIGHT LINE CONNECTOR. THE VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING CORROSION AT THE 7-WAY TRAILER CONNECTION. THIS CAUSES INTERMITTENT FLASHING/FLICKERING OF THE TRAILER LIGHTS.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND/OR POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE MISSING GROMMET ON ALL AFFECTED CHASSIS. IF A CONNECTOR IS FOUND DEFECTIVE, IT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW CONNECTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS BEGAN ON MARCH 14, 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. 03KW1. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2003 Kenworth T600. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

2 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Kenworth T600.

Air Bags

ODI #10266609

Crash 1 injury

Incident: April 6, 2009 · Filed: April 24, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KENWORTH T600. WHILE DRIVING 60MPH IN LIGHT RAIN, SNOW AND HEAVY WIND WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE STRONG WIND PUSHED THE VEHICLE OVER ONTO THE DRIVER SIDE, BEGIN SLIDING DOWN A HILL AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACTS HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEELS AND WAS CUT BY BROKEN GLASS. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO KICK THE PASSENGER FRONT WINDOW OUT TO ESCAPE FROM VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL IN AN AMBULANCE. DURING THE CRASH, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK WHEN AIR BAGS DO NOT DEPLOY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,241 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,241.

Service Brakes, Air; Equipment

ODI #10029098

Incident: July 24, 2002 · Filed: July 24, 2003

FAILURE OF JAKE BRAKES ON 2003 KENWORTH T-600. THE JAKE BRAKES ON MY KENWORTH FAILED TO COME ON. I DIRECTED IT TO THE KENWORTH DEALERSHIP IN CARLISLE, PA. WHO AFTER MANY HOURS OF DIAGNOSISING DETERMINED THAT THE JAKE BRAKES HAD FAILED BECAUSE A WIRE HAD COME LOOSE AT THE BACK OF THE AM/FM RADIO!!!! THE BRAKES CAN FAIL BECAUSE OF A LOOSE WIRE @ THE AM/FM RADIO. GOD HELP THE POOR SOUL IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK COMING DOWN A 6% GRADE RELYING ON HIS JAKES TO SLOW HIM DOWN WHICH FAIL BECAUSE OF A LOOSE WIRE BEHIND THE RADIO. NUT!*AK

Other Kenworth T600 model years

Check your 2003 Kenworth T600 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Kenworth T600 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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