The worst 2025 Kenworth T280 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 8
Fuel system, diesel: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Kenworth T370, T270, 2022-2027 Kenworth T280, Peterbilt 548, 2023-2027 Kenworth T480, T380, Peterbilt 536, 537, and 2025 Peterbilt 567 vehicles. The remote fuel filter hoses may separate from the fitting, causing a fuel leak and an engine stall.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters will be mailed beginning December 20, 2026. Owners may contact Peterbilt's customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4220 or Kenworth's customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888. PACCAR's number for this recall is 26PACJ.
Recall number 26V700000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: lighting control module: software
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Kenworth T480, T680, T880, W990, Peterbilt 520, 536, 537, 548, 567, 579, 589, 2025 Kenworth T180, Peterbilt 535, 2025-2026 Kenworth T280, T380 and L770 vehicles. The tail brake light, upper and lower beam headlights, reverse light, and turn signal may not illuminate as intended. In addition, the lift axles, if lowered, may revert to a raised position, or oscillate up and down when the signal warning lights are activated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- Delayed and unsteady headlights can result in insufficient illumination of the road, decreasing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an unexpected position change of the lift axles may increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the VCU software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 19, 2025. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888 and Peterbilt's customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 25PACF.
Recall number 25V436000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2025 Kenworth T180, Peterbilt 535, 567, 2025-2026 Kenworth T280, 2023-2026 Kenworth T380, 2024-2026 Kenworth T480, 2024-2026 Peterbilt 536, 537, and 548 trucks. The exterior lighting switch may fail, resulting in the hazard lights and the instrument display back-light brightness adjustment not functioning. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- Inoperative hazard lights cannot alert other drivers as intended. In addition, the inability to adjust the brightness on the instrument panel display can make it difficult to see critical safety information or distract the driver. Both scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the vehicle cab controller unit (VECU) software, free of charge. Owners are advised that a non-responsive switch can be temporarily reset by a key cycle. Owner notification letters were mailed March 26, 2025. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888 and Peterbilt's customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 25KWB and 25PBB.
Recall number 25V041000 · Recall details
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Peterbilt and Kenworth vehicles, equipped with Bendix EC80 Advanced Electronic Control Units (ECU). Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. Electrical noise and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly process commands or stop functioning.
- Risk
- Safety systems that depend on the ECU (Automatic Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Active Cruise Control, and Collison Mitigation System) may not function properly or at all, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888 and Peterbilt's customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24KWL and 24PBL.
Recall number 24V915000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2025 Kenworth K270, K370, L770, T280, T380, T480, T680, T880, W900, W990, 2025 Peterbilt 220, 520, 536, 537, 548, 567, 579, and 589 trucks. The tie rod or drag link assembly may contain an improperly heat-treated ball stud, causing the ball stud to break.
- Risk
- A broken ball stud can cause a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the tie rod and drag link assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 6, 2024. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888 and Peterbilt customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24KWG and 24PBG.
Recall number 24V433000 · Recall details
Steering: gear box: shaft sector
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2025 Peterbilt 536, 548, 567, 579, and Kenworth T280, T380, T480, T680, T880, and W990 vehicles. The steering gear sector shaft may have been improperly heat-treated, which can cause the gear teeth to crack or fracture.
- Risk
- Fractured steering gear teeth can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the serial numbers, and replace the steering gears as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2024. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888 and Peterbilt customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24PBF and 24KWF.
Recall number 24V233000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Peterbilt 365, 367, 389, 535, 536, 537, 548, 567, 579, and 2021-2025 Kenworth T180, T280, T380, T480, T680, T880 and W990 trucks. The right-hand gear shifter stalk connectors may have been improperly crimped, resulting in a loss of communication.
- Risk
- A loss of communication between the gear shifter and the transmission may result in the vehicle becoming disabled after coming to a stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the gear shifter assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 15, 2025, then phased after that. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888 or Peterbilt customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24PBE and 24KWE.
Recall number 24V190000 · Recall details
Steering
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Kenworth T280, T380, T480, T680, T880, L770, W990, and 2024-2025 Peterbilt 389, 520, 535, 536, 537, 548, 567, 579, 589 trucks. The steering gear assemblies may have been assembled incorrectly with fewer recirculating balls than are required, which may result in a loss of steering control.
- Risk
- A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the steering gears as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 20, 2024. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4220 and/or Kenworth customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24PBC and 24KWC.
Recall number 24V044000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2025 Kenworth T280 35
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- 24PBE_24KWE RH Shift Stalk Update Warranty section has been updated with revised verbiage for picture...
- The right-hand shift stalk may have an improper wire harness terminal crimp within the wire harness connector
- The new 2.1m day cab lift tools, a Level 3 mandatory tool, are now available to order.
- There is an update to the CARB Base Emissions Warranty Limits table and Manufacturer’s Warranty Coverage...
- Eaton service bulletin TAIB-1026 instructs dealers to update the master switch module (MSM) software
- Removed hyperlinks for bulletin migration
- Kenworth: Dealers should check the chassis list and SIR weekly for VIN changes
- The verbiage in the Introduction section has been updated.
- Updated Sheppard Steering Gear Classification Tool link in Inspection Procedure
- An improved transmission bracket is now available for replacement on certain chassis equipped with a...
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Questions about the 2025 Kenworth T280
Is the 2025 Kenworth T280 reliable?
Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2025 Kenworth T280.
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There are not enough complaints to tell.
How many recalls does the 2025 Kenworth T280 have?
8 recalls, covering fuel system, diesel, exterior lighting and electrical system.
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