The 2000 Kenworth W900 has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 9,726 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension. 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…
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…
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM02V0330002002-02-0444 affected
Defect
ON SOME HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ALCOA FUJIKURA LTD. (AFL) POWER DISTRIBUTION BOXES (PD BOX), THE PD BOXES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH INSUFFICIENT TORQUE APPLIED TO THE NUT OF THE MAIN POWER FEED-THROUGH STUD.
Consequence
INSUFFICIENT TORQUE CAN LEAD TO (1) ELECTRICAL ARCING OF THE WIRES INSIDE OF THE PD BOX, OR (2) AN INTERRUPTED POWER SUPPLY TO THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EITHER OF WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOSS OF VEHICLE ELECTRICAL POWER AND POSSIBLY VEHICLE CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND TIGHTEN THE NUT ON THE MAIN POWER FEED-THROUGH STUD. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 25, 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 KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.
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…
SUSPENSION01V1670012001-05-17390 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CHALMERS 1000 SERIES AND 800 SERIES SUSPENSION KITS. THESE SUSPENSION KITS MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT PENETRATION OF THE WELD ATTACHING THE TORQUE ROD EYE TO THE TORQUE ROD TUBE.
Consequence
FAILURE OF THE WELD COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE EYE AND TUBE, CAUSING A LOCK OF AXLE RETENTION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL CHALMERS FIXED TORQUE RODS ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 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 PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4000 OR KENWORTH 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…
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.
Complaints by component
SUSPENSION
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
1
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
1
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
1
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
1
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
1
SUSPENSION:FRONT
1
SUSPENSION:REAR
1
Total complaints12
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl*the contact owns a 2000 kenworth w900. The contact stated that the frame rail failed on three occasions. The dealer replaced them each time. The frame rail cracked and cut the power steering hose. The vehicle was parked when the contact noticed an oil leak. The current mileage is 211,000 and…”
“Consumer states that he is having electrical problems with his big rig. He states that he can be driving down the road and the lights cut off, then later on they come back on. He states that he has had this truck in the shop 60 plus times, and no one can find out what the problem is. He states he…”
“While driving at low speed of 20 mph or less right front tie rod end broke, and caused loss of steering. Dealer contacted. Feel free to provide any further infromation.*ak”
“Consumer states that the engine would stalls while driving 55-60 mph. Vehicle has been to the dealer and the problem reoccurring. Feel free to provide any further information. Nlm”
“Consumer received recall 01v051000. She made an appointment with dealership regarding this recall, and dealership informed her they had no information regarding recall. Please provide any additional information/attachments.*ak”
“Kenworth has a reputation of putting a custumer off untill warranty is out. All of these problems where to be addressed. And there are more. Hard to explain in short words. I do have documentation in the form of maint. Files with descriptive accounts of all problems , none of which have been…”
“Kenworth has a reputation of putting a custumer off untill warranty is out. All of these problems where to be addressed. And there are more. Hard to explain in short words. I do have documentation in the form of maint. Files with descriptive accounts of all problems , none of which have been…”
“Kenworth has a reputation of putting a custumer off untill warranty is out. All of these problems where to be addressed. And there are more. Hard to explain in short words. I do have documentation in the form of maint. Files with descriptive accounts of all problems , none of which have been…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2000 Kenworth W900 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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