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2021 Kenworth W990 problems

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
0
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
561 warranty

The worst 2021 Kenworth W990 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

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Recalls 5

Electrical system: softwareReported December 9, 2024 · 220,764 vehicles affected
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

Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shiftReported March 20, 2024 · 70,509 vehicles affected
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

Electrical system: softwareReported November 19, 2021 · 908 vehicles affected
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

EngineReported February 17, 2021 · 132 vehicles affected
What is wrong
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Kenworth T680, T880, W990, T800, W900 and Peterbilt 579, 567, 389, 367 vehicles equipped with a Cummins X15 engine. The capscrews that attach the flywheel to the crankshaft may have been improperly torqued, allowing the flywheel to detach.
Risk
A detached flywheel can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, driveline pieces may be ejected from the engine compartment, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will properly torque the capscrews and the engine will also be inspected for damage and, if necessary, repaired, free of charge. The recall began on March 29, 2021. 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 21KWA and 21PBB.

Recall number 21V080000 · Recall details

Power train: axle assemblyReported August 26, 2020 · 1,097 vehicles affected
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

See all 5 recalls for the 2021 Kenworth W990

Technical service bulletins for the 2021 Kenworth W990 56

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 56 bulletins for the 2021 Kenworth W990

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Questions about the 2021 Kenworth W990

Is the 2021 Kenworth W990 reliable?

Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2021 Kenworth W990.

What is the most common problem with the 2021 Kenworth W990?

There are not enough complaints to tell.

How many recalls does the 2021 Kenworth W990 have?

5 recalls, covering electrical system, power train and engine.

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