The worst 2005 Kenworth C500 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
Recalls 5
Service brakes, air: slack adjusters
- What is wrong
- Paccar is recalling 130 my 2005-2007 kenworth c500, t800, w900, and peterbilt models 357 and 379 tractor trailers equipped with fabco slack adjusters on sisu axles. The slack adjusters may fail as a result of a fatigue crack rendering the slack adjuster inoperative. This could reduce braking effectiveness.
- Risk
- Reduction in braking capacity could increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the slack adjusters free of charge. The recall began on march 21, 2008. Owners may contact kenworth at 1‑425‑828‑5440 and peterbilt at 1‑940‑591‑4196.
Recall number 08V099000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks, the wiring, parts, or transmission programming required for the auto neutral feature to function as designed were either not installed, connected, or programmed properly.
- Risk
- If any of these conditions exists, the transmission will not automatically shift into neutral when left in drive with the parking brake set engaged. The vehicle could move without warning increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the affected vehicles to ensure the auto neutral feature functions properly and, if needed, will make the necessary repairs free of charge. The recall began on may 9, 2007. Owners may contact kenworth at 425‑828‑5440.
Recall number 07V107000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- On certain tractors equipped with caterpillar diesel engines, the variable valve actuation oil line may wear against the sharp edge of the cylinder head if not positioned correctly.
- Risk
- The oil line may be cut on the cylinder head causing an oil leak and a possible fire.
- Remedy
- Caterpillar, in conjunction with paccar, will be conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign free of charge. Owners may call caterpillar at 309‑675‑6496, kenworth at 425‑828‑5440, or peterbilt at 940‑591‑4201.
Recall number 05V570000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks and tractors equipped with airglide high-articulation rear suspensions, the c65-1006 sway bar used in this rear suspension may experience a reduction in fatigue life due to either a manufacturing process or a high induced stress during an extreme suspension articulation event.
- Risk
- Both of these conditions can lead to a failure of the sway bar which could cause the rear axle to come loose, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- The inspection and repair of these vehicles will depend on the type of vehicle (tractor or truck) and the intended service application. This inspection and repair criteria will be forthcoming. The recall began on june 30, 2005. Owners may contact kenworth at 1‑425‑828‑5440.
Recall number 05V237000 · Recall details
Suspension
- What is wrong
- On certain heavy duty class 8 trucks, the suspension has transverse beam castings that may fracture under normal loads. If a casting breaks when the vehicle is traveling on a roadway there is the potential for pieces of the casting to become projectiles and the suspension's transverse beam may drop down low enough to contact the road surface.
- Risk
- This could cause sparks that could potentially ignite and cause a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the defective transverse beam assemblies free of charge. The recall began on june 10, 2005, with letters being mailed to peterbilt owners; and on june 17, 2005, for kenworth owners. Owners may contact peterbilt at 940‑591‑4201 or kenworth at 425‑828‑5440.
Recall number 05V189000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Kenworth C500 13
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Updated the warranty section for PRWS compatibility.
- Due to supplier constraints, an authorized aftermarket surge tank has been made available.
- "Kenworth: Dealers should check the chassis list and SIR weekly for VIN changes
- Information Only – Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate
- This SKU is a Climate Control Module
- Information Only: This bulletin provides dealers with a battery warranty quick reference guide to ensure...
- Information Only: Proper jump-starting voltage will eliminate high voltage related issues and equipment...
- Information Only – Vehicles may have the connector seals on the wheel speed sensor incorrectly installed,...
- Information Only: This bulletin provides guidance for repairing an air-conditioning system after internal...
- Kenworth trucks: reduced engine power from fuel starvation. any model kenworth equipped with the 2007...
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Questions about the 2005 Kenworth C500
Is the 2005 Kenworth C500 reliable?
Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2005 Kenworth C500.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Kenworth C500?
There are not enough complaints to tell.
How many recalls does the 2005 Kenworth C500 have?
5 recalls, covering service brakes, air, power train and engine and engine cooling.
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