The worst 2020 Kenworth W990 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
Steering: critical fasteners
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Kenworth T270, T370, T440, T470, T660, T680, T880, T800, W900, W990; and 2018-2020 Peterbilt 330, 337, 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, 567, and 579 vehicles. The Dana D-Series axle steer arm fasteners that attach the steering arm to the steering knuckle may fail.
- Risk
- Fastener failure can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace and torque the steer arm fasteners, at no charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2022. 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 22 PBB and 22 KWB.
Recall number 22V277000 · Recall details
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Kenworth T880, W990, Peterbilt 567, 579, 389, and 2022 Peterbilt 536, 537 wrecker and auto hauler vehicles. The work brake (winch brake) may unintentionally disengage the service brakes during winching operations, causing the vehicle to roll.
- Risk
- Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 2022. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888 (Kenworth); or 1‑940‑591‑4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 21KWG and 21PBM.
Recall number 21V906000 · Recall details
Power train: axle assembly
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Peterbilt 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, 567 and Kenworth T800, T880, W900, W990 vehicles equipped with Watson and Chalin steerable lift axle suspension systems (model SL2065). The axles may have lower rear pivot bolts that are not long enough to sufficiently engage the locking feature of the corresponding nuts.
- Risk
- The short screws can cause the hardware to separate from the suspension system and become road hazards, increasing the risk of a crash and/or injury.
- Remedy
- PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect suspect chassis and replace the pivot bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2020. 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 is 20PBE and 20KWC.
Recall number 20V506000 · Recall details
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020 Kenworth T800, T880 and W990 and Peterbilt 348, 367, 389, 520, and 567 vehicles. The forward rear axle output shafts may have been improperly heat treated during manufacturing, possibly resulting in the shafts fracturing.
- Risk
- If the rear axle output shaft fractures, the shaft or interaxle driveline could detach and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the output shafts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2020. 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 19KWE and 19PBG.
Recall number 19V911000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020 Kenworth T680, T800, T880, W900 and W990 trucks. The rear axles may not contain oil.
- Risk
- Without lubricating oil, the bearings, hub and axle shafts may wear, resulting in the separation of a wheel end from the axle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Paccar will notify owners, and Kenworth dealers will inspect all of the rear axles for the presence of oil. If no oil is present, the wheels ends will be removed and the bearings, hub and axle shaft will be inspected for damage. If excessive wear or heat damage is evident, the components will be replaced, as necessary. Oil will then be added per the axle specifications. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2019. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888. Paccar's number for this recall is 19KWA.
Recall number 19V176000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2020 Kenworth W990 55
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Kw & pb DEF
- The new 2.1m day cab lift tools, a Level 3 mandatory tool, are now available to order.
- Certain chassis equipped with an engine model year 2019
- This optional software update is expected to be available after 10/30/2026 for chassis equipped with EMY...
- Kenworth: Dealers should check the chassis list and SIR weekly for VIN changes
- An exhaust manifold slip joint seal kit is now available for EPA 2017-2024 PACCAR MX-13 engines.
- The procedure has been updated to include additional steps for verifying the software level on the vehicle...
- This optional software update is now available for chassis equipped with EMY 2021B-2023 PACCAR MX-11 and...
- Incorrect air filters may be inadvertently installed in certain chassis equipped with under-hood Donaldson...
- The Condition, Chassis Affected, Service Action, Warranty, and Procedure sections have been updated to...
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Questions about the 2020 Kenworth W990
Is the 2020 Kenworth W990 reliable?
Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2020 Kenworth W990.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Kenworth W990?
There are not enough complaints to tell.
How many recalls does the 2020 Kenworth W990 have?
5 recalls, covering steering, electrical system and power train.
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