1996 Kenworth W900 Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1996 Kenworth W900 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 24,010 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

EQUIPMENT 01V142000 2001-04-24 14 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…

SUSPENSION 01V051000 2001-02-20 209 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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 98V129000 1998-06-11 9,500 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR 3406E ENGINES. THE ROUTING OF THE ELECTRICAL AND FUEL LINES CAN CAUSE CHAFFING OF THE WIRING HARNESS ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CHAFFING CAN CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE AND A POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT, ADJUST, AND REPAIR, IF NECESSARY, THE FUEL LINE AND ELECTRICAL HARNESS.

SUSPENSION 97V196003 1997-11-24 470 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DESIGN LEVEL 1, ROCKWELL FF980 SERIES FRONT AXLE. THE FRONT AXLE HUB FLANGE CAN DEVELOP CRACKS DUE TO HIGH STRESS LEVELS.

Consequence

CRACKS IN A HUB FLANGE CAN RESULT IN A WHEEL SEPARATION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE FRONT HUBS WITH AN IMPROVED DESIGN LEVEL 2 HUB.

SUSPENSION 97V139000 1997-08-20 13,200 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH KENWORTH AIRGLIDE 200 REAR SUSPENSION. DUE TO MATERIALS USED IN THE SWAY BAR ARMS AND STUDS AS WELL AS THE STUD PLATING MATERIAL, STRESS CORROSION CRACKING AND BENDING FATIGUE CAN OCCUR IN THE REAR SUSPENSION SWAY BAR ARMS AND STUDS CAUSING THE STUD TO FAIL…

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ARM ASSEMBLY MANUFACTURED FROM A DIFFERENT MATERIAL. NEW STUDS WILL BE INSTALLED WITH DIFFERENT THREADS AND DIFFERENT FINISH.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 96V056000 1996-04-03 617 affected
Defect

THE WIRES THAT CORRESPOND TO THE VEHICLE'S REAR TURN SIGNALS WERE REVERSED WHEN INSTALLED IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION WILL CAUSE THE REAR TURN SIGNALS TO FLASH OPPOSITE FROM THE DIRECTION INTENDED BY THE DRIVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH.

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1996 Kenworth W900 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.