The 1999 Kenworth T800 has 12 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 21,868 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SUSPENSION03V1250002003-04-01154 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRUCK HUB UNITS MANUFACTURED BY SKF EXCLUSIVELY FOR USE ON ARVINMERITOR'S FF98X SERIES NON-DRIVE STEER AXLES, THE HUB UNIT BEARINGS CAN WEAR PREMATURELY.
Consequence
SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FRONT AXLE HUBS. NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 16, 2003. THE MANUFACTURER HAS ADVISED US THAT PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITH A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD…
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR03V1260002003-03-3145 affected
Defect
CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR P 18X7 BRAKES WITH 36" BRAKE CHAMBERS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE TRUCKS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A COMBINED AIR RESERVOIR VOLUME LESS THAN 12 TIMES THE COMBINED VOLUME OF ALL SERVICE…
Consequence
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL ADD AN ADDITIONAL TANK OR CHANGE ONE OF THE EXISTING AIR TANKS TO A LARGER SIZE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 5, 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…
STEERING02V0370032002-07-154,513 affected
Defect
HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW TIE ROD ENDS ON CERTAIN ARVINMERITOR AND DANA AXLES. PETERBILT WILL RECALL 1,434 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ARVINMERITOR AXLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 11, 1999, TO MAY 14, 2000, AND FROM JULY 22 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2000. KENWORTH WILL RECALL 859 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ARVINMERITOR…
Consequence
THIS CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR WITH POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL AFFECTED TIE RODS AND DRAG LINKS WITH DIFFERENT DESIGNED ENDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 15, 2002. 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…
SUSPENSION02V0610012002-02-27116 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH REPLACEMENT DANA SPICER TANDEM DRIVE AXLE MODELS DS463 AND DS521, INSTALLED ON VEHICLES FROM MAY 1, 2001 THROUGH FEBRUARY 1, 2002, AN UNDERSIZED ATTACHMENT WELD MAY FRACTURE WITHOUT WARNING.
Consequence
THE LOSS OF THIS ATTACHMENT TO THE VEHICLE CHASSIS CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING OR DRIVER CONTROL.
Remedy
DANA IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. THE DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE SUSPECT BRACKET, INSPECT THE AXLE HOUSING, AND REWELD THE BRACKET TO THE AXLE HOUSING. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A…
STEERING01V1400062001-08-282,294 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW TIE ROD ENDS ON CERTAIN MERITOR AXLES. THE TIE ROD AND DRAG LINK BALL STUD ENDS CONTAIN BEARINGS THAT ARE BELOW THE SPECIFIED CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS.
Consequence
THIS CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR WITH POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL AFFECTED TIE RODS AND DRAG LINKS WITH DIFFERENT DESIGNED ENDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 24, 2001. 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…
EQUIPMENT01V1420002001-04-2414 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR FG941 STEER AXLES. THE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR) WAS DETERMINED INCORRECTLY AND OVER-STATED ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL. WITH THE INCORRECT GAWR LISTED, THESE LABELS DO NOT MEET THE CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, "REQUIREMENTS FOR…
Consequence
THESE VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS.
Remedy
VEHICLES WILL BE REMEDIED EITHER BY ASSIGNING THE PROPER WEIGHT RATING OR, IF POSSIBLE, BY CHANGING THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS TO MEET THE CURRENTLY ASSIGNED WEIGHT RATING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE…
STEERING01V0440052001-03-016,392 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED BY TRW. THE SUSPECT TIE RODS CONTAIN 24-DL MODEL BALL SOCKETS. CERTAIN OF THE TIE ROD BALL-SOCKET BEARINGS HAVE A BELOW-SPECIFICATION CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR OF THE SOCKET.
Consequence
IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BALL SOCKETS AND/OR DRAG LINKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2001, TO KENWORTH OWNERS AND ON APRIL 25, 2001, TO PETERBILT OWNERS. 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…
SUSPENSION01V0510002001-02-20209 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 54" REAR AXLE SPACING CONFIGURATION OF THE AIRGLIDE 200 SUSPENSION WITH THE SERVICE APPLICATION IDENTIFIED AS LOGGER, DUMP TRUCK, OR TANKER. THE REAR SUSPENSION IS REGULARLY SUBJECTED TO EXTREME ARTICULATION, RESULTING IN FLEXING OF THE JOINT.
Consequence
FAILURE OF THE LOWER SWAY ARM ATTACHING BOLTS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER SWAY ARM BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2001. 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 1-425-828-5000.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL FIREWALL-MOUNTED CIRCUIT BREAKER. THE MAIN CAB POWER AND BATTERY POWER LEADS WERE ATTACHED INCORRECTLY. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE MAIN CAB POWER BEING UNPROTECTED.
Consequence
IF A WIRING SHORT OCCURRED ANYWHERE ALONG THE CAB POWER CIRCUIT, THE AVAILABLE BATTERY POWER COULD ARC AND CAUSE SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE OR A FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM, AS NEEDED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 26, 2001. 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 1-425-828-5000.
STEERING00V2461022000-09-133,260 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW TIE ROD ENDS ON CERTAIN MERITOR AXLES. THE TIE ROD AND DRAG LINK BALL STUD ENDS CONTAIN BEARINGS THAT ARE BELOW THE SPECIFIED CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS.
Consequence
THIS CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR WITH POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL AFFECTED TIE RODS AND DRAG LINKS WITH DIFFERENT DESIGNED ENDS.
POWER TRAIN99V3030001999-11-012,607 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE INSTALLATION OF THE ALUMINUM STEERING DRIVELINE EXCEEDS THE U-JOINT ANGLES SPECIFIED BY DANA, THE DRIVELINE MANUFACTURER. BY EXCEEDING THIS SPECIFICATION, THE U-JOINT COULD CONTACT AND CAUSE A STRESS RISER IN THE ALUMINUM DRIVE SHAFT. THIS CONTACT COULD CAUSE IN A NOTCH…
Consequence
THIS NOTCH COULD CAUSE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE STEERING DRIVELINE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND/OR VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALUMINUM DRIVELINE WITH A STEEL VERSION.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM99V1810011999-07-09272 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINES AND EATON AUTOSHIFT TRANSMISSIONS. THE ENGINES CAN STALL BECAUSE OF SOFTWARE PROBLEMS.
Consequence
INCREASED STEERING EFFORT CAN OCCUR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL UPDATE THESE ENGINES WITH SOFTWARE CHANGES. CATERPILLAR IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THIS RECALL.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT
1
SUSPENSION:FRONT
1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
1
Total complaints4
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Recently one of my tractors equipped with a catepillar engine had a major engine failure which caused my driver to make an emergency stop along a freeway in colorado. I was informed the crankshaft had broken. By mistake a notice sent by caterpillar named "confidential" was left on a counter which…”
“Recall 99v303/ aluminum driveline. Parts that were needed to perform recall repairs were not available. *ak”
“Vehicle experiencing ongoing problem with vehicle continually pulling to the right while driving at highway speed. Dealer notified. *ak”
“Wheel bearings keep failing, steering tires keep getting eaten up, which causes vehicle to pull to right, when this happens brakes would chatter due to a lack of wheel bearings. Drum dropped on brake pads and shoes. Brake shoes would break off.*ak *yd”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1999 Kenworth T800 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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