2011 Kenworth C500 Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2011 Kenworth C500 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 114,904 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR 24V145000 2024-02-23 936 affected
Defect

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…

Consequence

Insufficient air volume can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.

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.

VISIBILITY 15V271000 2015-05-08 104,807 affected
Defect

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.

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.

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.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11V203000 2011-03-24 5,831 affected
Defect

PACCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 KENWORTH C500, T2000, T600, AND T660, AS WELL AS MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 PETERBILT 387 AND 388 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR C15 ENGINE AND MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 11, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 17, 2010. DEGRADATION OF A COMBUSTION TUBE WELD CAN CAUSE RADIAL HEAT…

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

CATERPILLAR IS HANDLING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. PLEASE SEE CATERPILLAR'S DEFECT REPORT 11E-006. CATERPILLAR WILL REPLACE THE SINGLE PIECE COMBUSTION TUBE WITH A THICK WALL COMBUSTION TUBE WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW THE HEAT TO BREAK THROUGH. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. DUE…

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR 11V157000 2011-03-07 280 affected
Defect

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…

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.

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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 10V452000 2010-09-29 3,040 affected
Defect

KENWORTH IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 T660, T800, W900, C500, T440, AND T470 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 1, 2009, THROUGH AUGUST 30, 2010. ONE OF THE FOUR HARNESS SPADE TERMINAL CONNECTIONS TO THE CHASSIS LOAD CENTER MAY BECOME COMPLETELY UNSEATED. A COMPLETELY UNSEATED CONNECTION MAY RESULT IN A POWER…

Consequence

POWER LOSS OF THE VEHICLE'S EXTERIOR LIGHTING MAY REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE TO OTHER DRIVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH WITH THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HARNESS AND RE-SEATING THE FEMALE CONNECTORS ON THE MALE SPADE TERMINALS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR 10V212000 2010-05-18 10 affected
Defect

KENWORTH IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 C500 TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 24, 2008 THROUGH JANUARY 13, 2010. DURING MANEUVERS WITH CERTAIN COMBINATIONS OF WHEEL TURN, ARTICULATION, AND BUMP, THE BRAKE CHAMBER CAN CONTACT THE REAR HOOD SUPPORT.

Consequence

THE CONTACT CAN DAMAGE THE BRAKE CHAMBER LEADING TO A LOSS OF BRAKING FUNCTION AT THE AFFECTED WHEEL END, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

KENWORTH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 8, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.

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 2011 Kenworth C500 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.