I-65 south immediately past the I-265 offramp. 55mph zone driving a saturn 4 door compact @ 2250 hours in the right lane. Had one semi tailgaiting behind me and another to my left in the middler lane. Truck from jwh transport inc., rome ga (706)234-4434 pulling traiker # 2325 was speeding up the exit ramp lane to my right forceing me and the semi to my left and behind me to suddenly change lanes to the left as the exit lane finally ran out . With other traffic this could have easily been a 5 or 6 vehicle collission. The exit ramp lane the speeding truck was in was marked for the previous mile that it was ending and to merge to the left. Have to wonder if this driver was under the influence or to impaired from a lack of sleep to execute the proper judgement that would have avoided the entire situation. For additional information I can be contatced at [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
The worst 2009 Kenworth T800 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical1
Recalls 19
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
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2008-2019 Peterbilt 330, 335, 337, 340, 348, 365, 367, 384, 386, 387, 388, 389, 567, 579 and 587 vehicles and 2008-2020 Kenworth T170, T270, T370, T660, T680, T800, T880, and W900 vehicles equipped with NAMUX Software. In the event that the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) loses battery and/or ignition power to the controller, the dash warning light for the ABS may not illuminate to warn the driver of the loss of ABS. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems," and 136, "Electronic Stability Control System on Heavy Vehicles."
- Risk
- If the driver unknowingly operates the vehicle without the ABS functioning, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will update the NAMUX software within the cab control module, free of charge. PACCAR issued owners an interim notification on June 4, 2020. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888 or Peterbilt customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 20pbc AND 20KWB.
Recall number 20V199000 · Recall details
Service brakes
- What is wrong
- PACCAR is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 Kenworth T800 and W900 trucks manufactured March 22, 2006, through July 15, 2013 and equipped with Primaax tridem rear suspensions and a pusher and/or tag axle. The affected trucks have brake chambers that take longer to apply or release the brakes than the required time limit. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 121, "Air Brake Systems."
- Risk
- Brakes that take longer to apply may lengthen the distance needed to stop the truck, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will modify the air brake system, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2014. Owners may contact PACCAR at 1‑425‑468‑7400. Kenworth's recall number is 13KWL.
Recall number 13V573000 · Recall details
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- Paccar is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 kenworth t2000, t660, t700, t800, and w900, as well as model year 2009-2012 peterbilt 365, 367, 384, 386, 387, 388, 389, and 587 trucks equipped with paccar mx engines. The oil module centrifugal spinner filter cap in the paccar mx engine may become loose, possibly allowing the cap to come off and engine oil to partially discharge from the oil module onto exhaust components.
- Risk
- The discharge of engine oil onto exhaust components which are hot, such as when the engine is under significant load, may cause a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will re-torque the oil module filter cap and install a secondary retention device on the secondary centrifugal spinner filter cap. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during march 2011. Owners may contact kenworth at 1‑425‑828‑5440 and peterbilt at 1‑940‑591‑4196.
Recall number 11V127000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper
- What is wrong
- Paccar is recalling certain model year kenworth t660, t700, t800 and w900 vehicles manufactured from december 22, 2008, through august 2, 2010, and equipped with ag400l air disc brakes. The air disc brake caliper could be installed on the wrong side of the drive axle potentially causing interference with the suspension bracket and the rear suspension as the outermost brake pads wear and the floating caliper moves inboard.
- Risk
- As this interference gets larger, this could eventually lead to reduced braking performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will verify the correct orientation of the brake caliper and perform the necessary repair free of charge. The safety recall began on november 24, 2010. Owners may contact kenworth at 425‑828‑5440.
Recall number 10V535000 · Recall details
Steering: column
- What is wrong
- Paccar is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 trucks equipped with trw steering shafts. The circumferential weld around the steering shaft tube that welds the splined tube to the non-splined tube may be mislocated. Mislocation of the circumferential weld may allow the splined tube and non-splined tube to rotate relative to one another during a low speed, high torque turn, possibly resulting in a separation of the two tubes.
- Risk
- A separation of the splined and non-splined tubes would cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the steering shaft using a weld placement gauge provided by trw. Any steering shaft found to have been welded improperly will be replaced free of charge. The safety recall began on july 30, 2010. Owners may contact kenworth at 425‑828‑5440 and peterbilt at 940‑591‑4196.
Recall number 10V308000 · Recall details
Power train: axle assembly
- What is wrong
- Kenworth is recalling model year 2009 through 2010 t2000, t800, t660 and w900 trucks manufactured between november 12, 2008 and september 30, 2009. The axle u-bolts attaching the axle to the suspension leaf spring on certain ag400l rear suspensions may have received insufficient fastener torque during the installation process. The insufficient torque may allow the axle u-bolt to become loose, which may cause vibration in the rear suspension.
- Risk
- If multiple fasteners were to become loose, the rear axle may shift relative to the rear suspension leaf spring, which can result in loss of control and a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the axle u-bolts for visible defects, including bent and/or smashed threads and re-torque the axle u-bolts to factory specifications. The recall began on november 4, 2009. Owners may contact kenworth at 425‑828‑5440.
Recall number 09V415000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel
- What is wrong
- Paccar is recalling model year 2008-2010 kenworth t300, t270, and t370, model year 2009-2010 t800 and peterbilt model year 2008-2010 335, 340, and 367 vehicles built on cummins' diesel engine. The vehicles may be designed with a hard wired, dash-mounted switch that enables the vehicle operator to inhibit aftertreatment diesel particulate filter regeneration in environments where the operator believes it may be unsafe for elevated exhaust temperatures. Due to an issue with the logic in the ECM software in these engines, the switch may not function correctly, leading the operator to believe that the switch is in "inhibit" mode when it is not.
- Risk
- This condition will permit hot exhaust gases to exit the vehicle tailpipe, increasing the risk of melting or burning of nearby surfaces, or a fire.
- Remedy
- Paccar is working with cummins to repair the engines free of charge please see 09e-046. The safety recall began on october 1, 2009. Owners may contact cummins at 1-800-diesels (1‑800‑343‑7357).
Recall number 09V348000 · Recall details
Steering: column
- What is wrong
- Paccar is recalling 2,096 my 2009 kenworth and peterbilt vehicles equipped with trw steering shafts. Mislocation of a circumferential weld may allow the splined tube and non-splined tube to rotate relative to one another during a low speed, high torque turn, possibly resulting in a separation of the two tubes.
- Risk
- A separation of the splined and non-splined tubes could cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the steering shaft using a weld placement gauge and miswelded steering shaft will be replaced free of charge. The recall began july 31, 2009. Owners may contact kenworth at 1‑425‑828‑5440 and peterbilt at 1‑940‑591‑4196.
Recall number 09V258000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air
- What is wrong
- Kenworth is recalling 3,423 my 2004-2009 t2000, t800,t600, w900 and t660 vehicles. Increased brake excitation in a certain vehicle configuration which includes bendix drum brakes, wide base low profile single tires, and an ag400 or ag460 rear suspension, due to its unique brake clocking and cam tube length, can cause fatigue and cracking to brake assembly components.
- Risk
- Cracking can cause a complete fracture of the cam tube, which could increase stopping distance and decrease parking brake hold capability.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the rear axle brakes assembly, replace cracked rear axle brakes assembly components where required, and install cam tube support brackets on all rear axle wheel ends free of charge. The recall is expected to begin or before july 25, 2009. Owner may contact kenworth at 1‑425‑828‑5440.
Recall number 09V239000 · Recall details
Power train: axle assembly
- What is wrong
- Kenworth is recalling 9 my 2009 t800s vehicles equipped with dana front axle. The brake spider mounting fasteners attaching the brake spider to the front steer axle flange may have received insufficient torque during the installation process. The insufficient torque may allow the brake spider fasteners and brake spider to become loose.
- Risk
- This can allow the fasteners to shear and fall either onto the roadway or into the drum brake assembly, potentially allowing the brake to bind and causing increased stopping distance and a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the brake spider mounting fasteners and torque them properly, as well as review the brake spider and steer axle flange holes for signs of vibration and fatigue and replace if necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule. Owner may contact kenworth at 1‑425‑828‑5440.
Recall number 09V229000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: disc
- What is wrong
- Paccar is recalling 140 my 2005, 2007-2009 t800, w900, and t660 trucks. The caliper mounting fasteners attaching the air disc brake caliper assembly to the torque plate may have received insufficient torque during the installation process. The insufficient torque may allow the air disc brake caliper assembly to become loose and possibly separate from the vehicle.
- Risk
- This could result in reduced braking capacity and also a road debris hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect air disc brake caliper assemblies and replace the caliper mounting fasteners and torque properly. This service will be performed free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule. Owners may contact kenworth at 1‑425‑828‑5440.
Recall number 09V166000 · Recall details
Suspension
- What is wrong
- Paccar is recalling 130 my 2004-2009 t2000, t800, t600, w900 and t660 kenworth trucks built with an ag400 rear suspension, long stroke brake chambers, and wide base tires (super singles). These vehicles may develop an increase in lateral and vertical axle movement. This movement may cause part or parts of the brake assembly (brake cam tube support, brake chamber bracket, brake chamber, brake spider) to develop fatigue cracks, possibly resulting in the failure of the part or parts within the brake assembly.
- Risk
- A failure may reduce vehicle brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install the cam tube support brackets on all of the rear axle wheel ends. Inspect the rear axle brake assembly and replace it if cracked. The recall is expected to begin during november 2008. Owners may contact kenworth at 1‑425‑828‑5440.
Recall number 08V485000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel
- What is wrong
- Paccar is recalling 4,883 my 2006-2009 kenworth t600, t660, t800, w900, t2000 and my 2008-2009 peterbilt 365, 367, 379, 384, 386, 387, 388 and 389 trucks. Inadequate stiffness of the diesel particulate filter (dpf) bracket could result in separation of the dpf from the chassis.
- Risk
- A vehicle crash could occur if another vehicle strikes the dpf on the roadway.
- Remedy
- Paccar is working with caterpillar to repair these vehicles (please see 08e041). Owners may contact caterpillar at 1‑800‑447‑4986 or kenworth at 1‑425‑828‑5440 or peterbilt at 1‑940‑591‑4196.
Recall number 08V487000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel
- What is wrong
- Paccar is recalling 263 my 2008-2009 kenworth t800, w900 and peterbilt 365 and 384 trucks equipped with c7 or c9 caterpillar diesel engines. The fuel pump outlet check plug may be cracked which could cause fuel to spray and leak.
- Risk
- Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Paccar is working with caterpillar (please see 08e042). Caterpillar will replace the fuel pump plug free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during september 2008. Owners may contact caterpillar at-1‑800‑447‑4986 or kenworth at 1‑425‑828‑5440 or peterbilt at 1‑940‑591‑4196.
Recall number 08V486000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: disc
- What is wrong
- Paccar is recalling 86 my 2009 kenworth t660, t800, w900, and peterbilt 386, 365, and 388 trucks equipped with bendix front air disc brakes. The size 14 service chamber of certain front air disc brakes may have been contaminated with grease between the piston head/plate and the diaphragm. When braking pressure is applied, the grease may allow the piston head/plate to slip off center and catch on the reducing ring of the size 14 service chamber.
- Risk
- The catching of the piston head/plate on the reducing ring may lock up the corresponding front air disc brake which may impact the operator's ability to steer or control the vehicle.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace both front air disc brakes size 14 service chambers free of charge. The recall began on august 27, 2008. Owners may contact kenworth at 1‑425‑828‑5440 and peterbilt at 1‑940‑591‑4196.
Recall number 08V431000 · Recall details
Suspension
- What is wrong
- Kenworth is recalling 1,189 my 2009 t2000, t600, t660, t800 and w900 trucks. The axle u-bolts attaching the axle to the drive beam on certain ag380 rear suspensions may have received insufficient fastener torque during the installation process.
- Risk
- The insufficient torque may allow the axle u-bolt to loosen if undetected, could impact long term suspension performance and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will have the axle u-bolt on the affected chassis re-torqued to factory specifications free of charge. The recall began on august 12, 2008. Owners may contact kenworth at 425‑828‑5440.
Recall number 08V314000 · Recall details
Parking brake: conventional: air
- What is wrong
- Paccar is recalling 1,043 my 2008-2009 kenworth c500, t2000,t660, t800 and w900 trucks equipped with bendix mv-3 dash control valves. The molded valve body has an incorrect core pin in the injection mold causing the valve body to be oversized in the double check valve area. This condition can allow the rubber double check valve to become lodged in the body opening under certain circumstances.
- Risk
- If the double check valve becomes lodged, in the event of a primary reservoir failure, air pressure can leak past the lodged double check valve thereby depleting the secondary reservoir, causing reduced ability for modulating the service emergency brakes. In such an event, the operator should observe an air leak, indications of low air pressure via the primary and secondary air gauges, and audible and visual low air pressure warning alarms. A vehicle crash is possible if these warnings are not heeded.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the bendix mv-3 dash control valves free of charge. The recall began on april 14, 2008. Owners may contact kenworth at 1‑425‑828‑4196.
Recall number 08V128000 · Recall details
Trailer hitches
- What is wrong
- Paccar is recalling 318 my 2007-2009 kenworth t800, w900, and peterbilt 357, 365, 367, 378, 379, 384, 385, 386,388, and 389 trucks equipped with premier trailer hitch assemblies. The pintle hitch assemblies may have been manufactured in a manner resulting in a reduction of fatigue strength of the pivot pins.
- Risk
- This reduction of fatigue strength could cause the pivot pin to crack and eventually break, causing the trailer to detach from the truck while in motion, which could cause a crash that could result in personal injury or death.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the potentially defective pivot pin free of charge. The recall began on april 18, 2008. Owners may contact kenworth at 1‑425‑828‑5440 or peterbilt at 1‑940‑591‑4196.
Recall number 08V104000 · Recall details
See all 19 recalls for the 2009 Kenworth T800
Defect investigations
Driveshaft separates from tractor
SummaryOn July 13, 2010, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened an investigation on model year (MY) 2007-2009 Peterbilt tractors equipped with the (SPL170XL extended lube inter-axle driveline).ODI opened this investigation based on one Vehicle Owners Questionnaire (VOQ) and certain Peterbilt field reports.During the course of the investigation, ODI reviewed PACCAR's IR (October 22, 2010) response with associated data related to Warranty and complaint information, mined field data, interviewed customers and visited local dealers within the Washington Metropolitan area.PACCARconducted testing regarding torsional loading and identified various causative factors contributed to this safety defect finding.The Defect is a consequence of the bearing surfaces of the SPL170XL extended lube universal joint that attaches the inter-axle driveline to the drive axle becoming prematurely worn due to a breakdown of lubrication and/or excessive heat.Prematurely worn bearing surfaces may result in the u-joint becoming loose and/or binding.This condition may result in universal joint failure, allowing the inter-axle driveline to detach from the axle, which may cause the drive shaft to separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of personal injury or property damage hazard.ODI learned that the affected population of the alleged defect extended to peer models within PACCAR.In summary, the following vehicles are being recalled: MY 2007 and 2008 Kenworth trucks, models T600, T660, T2000, T800 and W900 and MY 2007/2008 Peterbilt trucks, models357, 378, 379, 385, 386, 387, 388, and 389 allequipped with extended lube inter-axle drivelines manufactured by Dana Corporation.The recall affects vehicles manufactured between February 2, 2006 and April 30, 2007.At this time PACCAR has not yet identified a fix for the inner-axle safety defect and is currently conducting testing with the intent to provide a solution to the failure.ODI will monitor the development of PACCARS testing and ensure a timely repair for the consumer.This investigation is closed.
PE10029
Technical service bulletins for the 2009 Kenworth T800 35
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
- Information Only:
- 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:
- Kenworth: some trucks failed to meet company standards for air volume lift axle and the company will...
- Kenworth: regarding update information for engine brake and throttle pedal position return range, which...
What 2009 Kenworth T800 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
A tractor update program was initiated by kenworth early in 2009 that involved the 2008 t-800 tractors. The update required the installation of a 150 a "megafuse" into the main positive conductor supplying all tractor electrical power (not to the starter motor solenoid). Since the "megafuse" was installed inline, opening of the fuse effectively de-energized all electrical components in the tractor including the electronic control module (ECM) resulting in immediate engine shut down. Further, all signal, warning, visibility and head lights ceased operation. More importantly (and the reason for this report), with immediate shutdown of the diesel engine, all power assisted steering capabilities are eliminated. Without power assist, a tractor becomes difficult to control, and may result in a crash. We investigated just such an occurrence for one of our clients. Historically, our trucking company client has now recorded two such electrical failures with one resulting in a crash. The first occurrence happened while backing into a loading dock at low speed. The second occurred while traveling along a northern ontario highway curve at night. The second fuse failure resulted in a crash as the driver could not negotiate the curve in the dark, without the power assisted steering (far northern ontario). The megafuse is housed within the kenworth battery box, located immediately behind the left side fuel saddle tank. At present, we are investigating the cause of the megafuse opening (failure). Preliminary hypothesis included intermittent electrical fault(s) within the main supply conductor or mechanical failure of the megafuse due to vibration damage. Aside from the failure mechanism of the fuse, it is our engineering opinion that a fuse that nullifies the power steering system is dangerous to the health and safety of the tractor occupants and others that may come into contact with a misdirected tractor-trailer combination.
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Questions about the 2009 Kenworth T800
Is the 2009 Kenworth T800 reliable?
Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2009 Kenworth T800, 2.0 times a typical T800 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Kenworth T800?
Electrical system, with 1 complaint.
How many recalls does the 2009 Kenworth T800 have?
19 recalls, covering service brakes, air, service brakes and fuel system, other.
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