NHTSA vehicle safety data
2021 Kenworth T880 Recalls & Complaints
The 2021 Kenworth T880 has 8 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 2021 Kenworth T880. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2021 Kenworth T880 owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2021 Kenworth T880, describing incidents dated January 15, 2021.
Most-cited components
- Service Brakes 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #11388343 · Filed
TRACTOR ABS SYSTEM APPLIES THE BRAKES TO THE TRAILERS WHILE CORNERING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE. THIS USUALLY OCCURS WHILE ENTERING OR EXITING A HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30 MPH. THE ABS SYSTEM LOCKS UP THE BRAKES UNTIL THE TRACTOR AND TRAILERS COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THESE TRUCKS…
Loss of ABS and Electronic Stability Control
NHTSA #24V915000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Control Unit/Module · NHTSA notice
Reported December 9, 2024 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 220,764 vehicles
Repair completion: 76.11% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 24KWL 24PBL · Owners notified February 3, 2025 · Vehicles built May 22, 2020 – December 4, 2023 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Peterbilt and Kenworth vehicles, equipped with Bendix EC80 Advanced Electronic Control Units (ECU). Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. Electrical noise and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly process commands or stop functioning.
Safety consequence
Safety systems that depend on the ECU (Automatic Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Active Cruise Control, and Collison Mitigation System) may not function properly or at all, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24KWL and 24PBL.
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 nhtsa.gov.
Improperly Crimped Connectors In Gear Shifter
NHTSA #24V190000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Lever and Linkage — Column Shift · NHTSA notice
Reported March 20, 2024 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 70,509 vehicles
Repair completion: 52.05% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 24PBE/24KWE · Owners notified December 15, 2025 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Peterbilt 365, 367, 389, 535, 536, 537, 548, 567, 579, and 2021-2025 Kenworth T180, T280, T380, T480, T680, T880 and W990 trucks. The right-hand gear shifter stalk connectors may have been improperly crimped, resulting in a loss of communication.
Safety consequence
A loss of communication between the gear shifter and the transmission may result in the vehicle becoming disabled after coming to a stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the gear shifter assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 15, 2025, then phased after that. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24PBE and 24KWE.
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.
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.
Methane Detection System May Fail
NHTSA #21V00N000 · Electrical System — Wiring · NHTSA notice
Reported December 29, 2021 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 1,107 vehicles
Repair completion: 47.06% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 21KWH and 21PBN · Owners notified December 1, 2022
Defect description
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Peterbilt 567, 579, 2021-2022 Peterbilt 536, 2017-2021 Kenworth T880, 2016-2022 Kenworth T680, 2018-2020 Kenworth T440, 2020 Kenworth T270, and 2021 Kenworth T280 vehicles. The methane detection system will not function if the system loses power.
Safety consequence
The operator may be unaware of a system malfunction or the presence of excessive methane levels, increasing the risk of injury or fire.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will re-wire the warning alarm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 1, 2022. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220, and Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 21KWH and 21PBN.
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.
Work Brake May Unintentionally Disengage
NHTSA #21V906000 · Service Brakes, Air · NHTSA notice
Reported November 19, 2021 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 908 vehicles
Repair completion: 55.73% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 21KWG and 21PBM · Owners notified January 3, 2022
Defect description
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Kenworth T880, W990, Peterbilt 567, 579, 389, and 2022 Peterbilt 536, 537 wrecker and auto hauler vehicles. The work brake (winch brake) may unintentionally disengage the service brakes during winching operations, causing the vehicle to roll.
Safety consequence
Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 2022. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-425-828-5888 (Kenworth); or 1-940-591-4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 21KWG and 21PBM.
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.
High Pressure Fuel Rail Assembly May Leak Fuel
NHTSA #21V391000 · Fuel System, Diesel — Fuel Injection System — Fuel Rail · NHTSA notice
Reported May 26, 2021 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 612 vehicles
Repair completion: 49.67% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 21KWC, 21PBD · Owners notified July 30, 2021
Defect description
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Peterbilt 337, 348, 365, 367, 520, 567, Kenworth T270, T370, T440, T470, T800 and T880 vehicles. The sealing washer may not seat correctly in the pilot bore holes, allowing the high pressure fuel rail assembly to leak.
Safety consequence
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will inspect the rail threads and fuel lines, and replace the rail as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-425-828-5888 (Kenworth) or 1-940-591-4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 21KWC and 21PBD.
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.
Flywheel Capscrews Not Tightened Properly
NHTSA #21V080000 · Engine · NHTSA notice
Reported February 17, 2021 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 132 vehicles
Repair completion: 100% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 21KWA / 21PBB · Owners notified March 29, 2021
Defect description
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Kenworth T680, T880, W990, T800, W900 and Peterbilt 579, 567, 389, 367 vehicles equipped with a Cummins X15 engine. The capscrews that attach the flywheel to the crankshaft may have been improperly torqued, allowing the flywheel to detach.
Safety consequence
A detached flywheel can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, driveline pieces may be ejected from the engine compartment, increasing the risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will properly torque the capscrews and the engine will also be inspected for damage and, if necessary, repaired, free of charge. The recall began on March 29, 2021. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-425-828-5888 (Kenworth) or 1-940-591-4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 21KWA and 21PBB.
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.
Lower Rear Pivot Bolts Improperly Sized
NHTSA #20V506000 · Power Train — Axle Assembly · NHTSA notice
Reported August 26, 2020 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 1,097 vehicles
Repair completion: 100% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 20PBE and 20KWC · Owners notified September 29, 2020
Defect description
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Peterbilt 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, 567 and Kenworth T800, T880, W900, W990 vehicles equipped with Watson and Chalin steerable lift axle suspension systems (model SL2065). The axles may have lower rear pivot bolts that are not long enough to sufficiently engage the locking feature of the corresponding nuts.
Safety consequence
The short screws can cause the hardware to separate from the suspension system and become road hazards, increasing the risk of a crash and/or injury.
Manufacturer remedy
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect suspect chassis and replace the pivot bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2020. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall is 20PBE and 20KWC.
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.
Other Kenworth T880 model years
Check your 2021 Kenworth T880 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Kenworth T880 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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