We did 20+ hours of work on this truck and all after hour rates. This company is withholding money they owed. We have asked to work with us and now they will not answer any phone calls from us or our lawyers. Stop this truck. They owe us $2850.00 they need to be stopped before they lie out of money they owe us.
The worst 2012 Kenworth C500 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Wheels1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Wheels1
Recalls 3
Service brakes, air: supply: reservoir/tank
- What is wrong
- 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 tanks have an insufficient volume of air for the brake system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 24V145000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 15V271000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: slack adjusters
- What is wrong
- 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 flow notch in the handle portion of the housing due to an error during the casting process. A flow notch in the handle portion may reduce the effective cross section structure and cause the slack adjuster housing to fracture.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 11V157000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2012 Kenworth C500 15
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- 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
- Certain C500/T440/T470/T660/T680/T800/T880/W900 chassis may have air tank reservoirs that do not meet air...
- Information Only – Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate
- Fix-As-Fail
- 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
- Information Only: This bulletin provides guidance for repairing an air-conditioning system after internal...
What 2012 Kenworth C500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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Questions about the 2012 Kenworth C500
Is the 2012 Kenworth C500 reliable?
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2012 Kenworth C500, close to a typical C500 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Kenworth C500?
Wheels, with 1 complaint.
How many recalls does the 2012 Kenworth C500 have?
3 recalls, covering service brakes, air and visibility.
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