Total Complaints
5 filings
KENWORTH T600 · model year
2005 KENWORTH T600
5 NHTSA complaints, and 8 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2005KENWORTHT600 carries 5 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 T600 is service brakes, air with 3 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (1) and structure (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 8 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2005 T600. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
5
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| STRUCTURE | 1 |
Recalls (8)
09V23900030/06/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
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 TUB
05V54300029/11/2005
STEERING
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE BENDIX ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESP) SYSTEM, THE SYSTEM USES MULTIPLE SENSORS AND AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO CONTROL VEHICLE UNDER STEER, OVER-STEER, AND ROLLOVER SITUATIONS. THE SYSTEM RELIES ON VEHICLE SENSORS TO BE FUNCTIONING AND ALIGNED PROPERL
07V27900028/06/2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR C11, C13 OR C15 ENGINES, THE OIL FILL CAP CAN BECOME DISLODGED DUE TO CAP DAMAGE OR IMPROPER INSTALLATION AND BECOME LODGED IN THE U-JOINT OF THE STEERING DRIVELINE AND STEERING GEAR.
05V18900028/04/2005
SUSPENSION
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS, THE SUSPENSION HAS TRANSVERSE BEAM CASTINGS THAT MAY FRACTURE UNDER NORMAL LOADS. IF A CASTING BREAKS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING ON A ROADWAY THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR PIECES OF THE CASTING TO BECOME PROJECTILES AND THE SUSPENSION'S TRANSVERSE BEAM MAY DROP
07V26900026/06/2007
TRAILER HITCHES
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE REMOVABLE TOW HITCH ,WHEN USED TO TOW OR LIFT A VEHICLE, CAN FAIL DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL IN THE TOW HITCH.
08V48500024/09/2008
SUSPENSION
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
05V57000022/12/2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ON CERTAIN TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR DIESEL ENGINES, THE VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE MAY WEAR AGAINST THE SHARP EDGE OF THE CYLINDER HEAD IF NOT POSITIONED CORRECTLY.
05V23700019/05/2005
SUSPENSION:REAR
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH AIRGLIDE HIGH-ARTICULATION REAR SUSPENSIONS, THE C65-1006 SWAY BAR USED IN THIS REAR SUSPENSION MAY EXPERIENCE A REDUCTION IN FATIGUE LIFE DUE TO EITHER A MANUFACTURING PROCESS OR A HIGH INDUCED STRESS DURING AN EXTREME SUSPENSION ARTICULATION EVENT.
Recent Complaints
20100131SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
09V239000 RECALL REPAIR WAS MADE TO MY 2005 KENWORTH T600, BUT THE WELDING THAT WAS PERFORMED TO CONNECT THE SUPPORT BRACKETS TO THE AXLE HAVE FULLY CRACKED AND SEPERATED,MECHANICS AT KENWORTH DEALERSHIPS ARE NOT CERTIFIED WELDERS,THE CHICKEN !@#$%'. WELDING DOES NOT PENETRATE THE AXLE METAL..... *TR
Mileage: 510,000
20100131STRUCTURE
09V239000 RECALL REPAIR WAS MADE TO MY 2005 KENWORTH T600, BUT THE WELDING THAT WAS PERFORMED TO CONNECT THE SUPPORT BRACKETS TO THE AXLE HAVE FULLY CRACKED AND SEPERATED,MECHANICS AT KENWORTH DEALERSHIPS ARE NOT CERTIFIED WELDERS,THE CHICKEN !@#$%'. WELDING DOES NOT PENETRATE THE AXLE METAL..... *TR
Mileage: 510,000
20091101SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
2005 KENWORTH T600 LAST 8 OF VIN 099664 AIR BRAKE CHAMBER MOUNTING BRACKET FAILED/CRACKED IN HALF,BRAKE CHAMBER HANGING BY HOSES ONLY, DRIVER SIDE REAR AXLE. *TR
Mileage: 511,761
20090910SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KENWORTH T600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCES INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES AND DECREASED PARKING BRAKE HOLD CAPABILITY. HE THEN RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 09V239000 (SERVICE BRAKES, AIR). HOWEVER HE HAS ALREADY PAID AN EXPENSE OF $2500.00 TO REPLACE VARIOUS BRAKING COMPONENTS, AND YET THE FAILURES HAVE NOT BEEN PROPERLY REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 360,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 690,000.
Mileage: 360,000
20070625ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KENWORTH T600. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20 MINUTES LATER. THE FAILURE USUALLY OCCURS WHEN DRIVING UPHILL. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE 6 OR 7 TIMES. THE RADIATOR, FAN, AND SENSORS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY THE LABOR FEES FOR EACH REPAIR. THE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CURRENT COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE IS $20,000. THE DEALER STATED THAT BOTH THE HEAD GASKET AND ENGINE HAVE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE AN INVOICE. THE # OF CYLINDERS, POWERTRAIN, AND FUEL SYSTEM WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 530,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
Mileage: 121,000
Compare 2005KENWORTHT600 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2005 KENWORTH T600 have?▼
The 2005 KENWORTH T600 has 5 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 KENWORTH T600?▼
Yes, the 2005 KENWORTH T600 has 8 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, AIR. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 KENWORTH T600?▼
The most-complained component for the 2005 KENWORTH T600 is SERVICE BRAKES, AIR with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING and STRUCTURE.
Is the 2005 KENWORTH T600 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.