CSR

Kenworth · NHTSA safety record

2015 Kenworth T680

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

8

Complaints

1

Crashes

2

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2015 Kenworth T680 have filed 8 safety complaints with NHTSA between March 2018 and September 2022. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 2 of them (25%). The typical failure was reported at 508,600 miles, the median across the 7 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 11 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (11)

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:RESERVOIR/TANK

24V145000 · February 23, 2024

The defect
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."
The risk
Insufficient air volume can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.

PACCAR Incorporated · up to 936 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

20V199000 · April 6, 2020

The defect
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."
The risk
If the driver unknowingly operates the vehicle without the ABS functioning, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
The 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.

PACCAR Incorporated · up to 460,515 vehicles across all model years covered

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

18V816000 · November 16, 2018

The defect
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Kenworth T680 and T880 and Peterbilt 579 trucks, greater than 30 feet long and equipped with side extender mounted intermediate marker lamp/turn signals that do not include a reflex reflector. Since both intermediate side marker lamps and reflex reflectors are required, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk
Missing reflex reflectors can reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
PACCAR will notify owners and dealers will install reflex reflective tape, free of charge. The recall began January 15, 2019. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-918-259-3258. PACCAR's number for this recall is 18KWF, and 18PBC.

PACCAR Incorporated · up to 1,619 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

18V368000 · June 1, 2018

The defect
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Peterbilt 567 and 579 trucks and 2015-2018 Kenworth T660, T680, T800, T880 and W900 trucks. 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."
The risk
If the driver unknowingly operates the vehicle without the ABS functioning, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
The 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 July 30, 2018. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-918-259-3258 or Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000.

PACCAR Incorporated · up to 85,626 vehicles across all model years covered

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

17V471000 · July 25, 2017

The defect
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Peterbilt 567 and 579 Kenworth T680 and T880 trucks equipped with optional spotlights. The spotlight circuit may not be adequately protected in the event of a short.
The risk
A short in the spotlight circuitry may increase the risk of a fire at the cab fuse block.
The remedy
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will change the polyfuse switch in the spotlight circuit to a standard fuse, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2017. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 17KWC and 717-B.

PACCAR Incorporated · up to 5,731 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

17V103000 · February 15, 2017

The defect
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Kenworth K370, T680, T880 and 2017-2018 Peterbilt 567 and 579 trucks. The plastic fuel tee fittings on these trucks may leak fuel.
The risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Kenworth and Peterbilt will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect fuel tees, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2017. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000 and Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. PACCAR's numbers for this recall is 17KWA and 217-A.

PACCAR Incorporated · up to 465 vehicles across all model years covered

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS

15V458000 · July 22, 2015

The defect
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Kenworth T440, T470, T660, T680, and T880 trucks manufactured January 14, 2010, to May 22, 2015, and equipped with HID Headlamps and the option for Daytime Running Lamps (DRL). The DRLs are required to deactivate when the hazard warning lights are activated, however, the DRLs on these vehicles override the hazard flashing functionality after the brake pedal is pushed for more than two seconds. Normal hazard flashing functionality returns once the service brake is released. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk
If the hazard warning lamps are overridden by the DRL, oncoming vehicles may fail to be warned, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Kenworth will notify owners, and dealers will update the cab controller software, free of charge. The recall began on September 167, 2015. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000. Kenworth's number for this recall is 15KWL.

PACCAR Incorporated · up to 12,551 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

15V310000 · May 26, 2015

The defect
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2014 and 2015 Kenworth T660, T680, and T800 trucks manufactured January 29, 2013, to April 2, 2014, and 2013 Peterbilt 587 trucks manufactured on August 8, 2012. The affected trucks are built with a driveshaft that may not transmit power to the wheels due to weld failure from corrosion.
The risk
If the weld fails causing a loss of power to the rear wheels, the vehicle operator may be unable to move the vehicle, or may experience deceleration if the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The remedy
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will replace the defective driveshafts, free of charge. The recall began on July 15, 2015. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000, or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. PACCAR's number for this recall is 15KWJ and 515-H.

PACCAR Incorporated · up to 30 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

15V270000 · May 8, 2015

The defect
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Kenworth T660, T680, T880 trucks manufactured February 18, 2013, to April 10, 2015, and 2011-2016 Peterbilt 386, 389, 567, 579, and 587 trucks manufactured December 13, 2010, to April 20, 2015. The affected trucks, equipped with PACCAR MX-13 engines and Delco-Remy 40SI alternators, have alternator charge cables that may chafe against a formed metal freon discharge line.
The risk
If the alternator cable rubs through its insulation, an electrical short may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the alternator charge cable away from the metal freon line, free of charge. PACCAR issued an interim notification to owners on July 10, 2015. The recall began on September 16, 2015. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 15KWE and 515-F.

PACCAR Incorporated · up to 1,494 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

15V196000 · April 3, 2015

The defect
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Kenworth T680 and T880 trucks manufactured November 17, 2014, to January 5, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with Meritor MT-40-14X rear drive axles that may circulate an inadequate amount of lubricant to the wheel end hub assembly.
The risk
Without adequate lubrication to the wheel end hub assembly, the bearings may fail prematurely, increasing the risk of a wheel-end fire or crash.
The remedy
Kenworth will notify owners, and dealers will replace the defective rear drive axle and inspect the wheel ends for damage, replacing them, as needed, free of charge. The recall began May 29, 2015. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000. PACCAR's number for this recall is 15KWB.

PACCAR Incorporated · up to 24 vehicles across all model years covered

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:AIR

14V810000 · December 29, 2014

The defect
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2015 Peterbilt 367, 389, 567, 579, and 587 trucks manufactured from May 23, 2014, to February 13, 2015, and 2015 Kenworth T270, T370, T440, T470, T660, T680, T800, T880, and W900 trucks manufactured from May 23, 2014, to February 13, 2015, equipped with certain air brake actuators. The affected vehicles may experience brake drag due to an improperly seated diaphragm in the brake chamber.
The risk
Brake drag may result in a wheel end fire.
The remedy
Kenworth and Peterbilt will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the brake chamber, as necessary, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners March 3, 2015. The recall began on May 14, 2015. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-425-828-5000 (Kenworth), or 1-940-591-4000 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's number for this recall is 14KWP (Kenworth), and 1214L (Peterbilt).

PACCAR Incorporated · up to 1,623 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Haldex Brake Chamber Failures

PE21018

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened July 16, 2021 · closed October 10, 2025

the parking brake

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE21018) based on eleven Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ). These VOQs included seven wheel-end fires on various Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks.Several of the VOQs were submitted by a maintenance facility stating that the fires were due to power spring fractures within brake chambers manufactured by Haldex Commercial Vehicle Systems (Haldex). According to the reports, the fractured spring punctured the brake chamber diaphragm, resulting in a partial loss of compressed air to the park brakes, causing the brakes to drag and overheat. ODI sent an information request letter to Haldex on August 3, 2021. On October 17, 2021, Haldex submitted a complete response. In this investigation, ODI analyzed thousands of warranty claims as well as fleet reports of brake chamber replacements. ODI gathered information from multiple vehicle manufacturers and reviewed legal testimony alleging defects and laboratory reports that raised concerns about spring failures initiated by corrosion. ODI found that spring failures were often detectable as soon as they occurred. In the subject incidents, after detecting the failures, some operators continued driving to a maintenance facility rather than stopping and waiting for a mobile technician to address the issue, increasing the risk of fire. While over twenty entities purchased the subject component from Haldex, the VOQs that ODI received involved only PACCAR vehicles. Haldex completed replacement campaigns for several fleets operating PACCAR vehicles, reducing the risk of further failures. Brake chambers have a limited service life. Industry guidance generally recommends replacement every two to four years depending on operating conditions, with some manufacturers and fleets recommending even shorter intervals. Vehicles operating in salt-belt states—where the majority of VOQs originated—require more frequent replacement than vehicles in less corrosive environments. Haldex’s standard warranty is four years and unlimited mileage. ODI determined that the average time in service for warranty claims was 4.9 years and 260,000 miles. Currently, all of the chambers subject to this investigation are between five and ten years old. Given the absence of recent failures and because the subject components are now older than their expected service life, ODI is closing this investigation. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 8.

ENGINE 2 25%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2 25%
SERVICE BRAKES 2 25%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 1 13%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 1 13%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 13%
POWER TRAIN 1 13%
SEAT BELTS 1 13%
STEERING 1 13%
STRUCTURE 1 13%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1 13%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2018 at 3.

2018 2022
2018 to 2022

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SERVICE BRAKES

fire · crash · towed

3

NHTSA complaint 11444045. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

fire · 348,455 miles

DRIVER DRIVING DOWN FLAT HYWAY NEAR EASTON PA RIGHT FRONT DRIVE AXLE BRAKES STARTED ON FIRE CAUSE THOUGHT TO BE HALDEX BRAKE CHAMBER SINCE HAVING SO MANY FAIL FAILURES OF THIS GOLD SEAL CHAMBER AND CAUSING FIRES, TOTAL LOSS OF BOTH TRUCK AND TRAILER, DRIVER CONFIRMED RIGHT FRONT HEEL END ON FIRE AND COULD NOT GET IT PUT OUT DUE TO ALL THE HEAT

NHTSA complaint 11110397. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

924,278 miles

The contact owns a 2015 Kenworth T680. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, he noticed smoke coming through the AC vents and from underneath the hood of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and opened the hood of the vehicle. The contact noticed that the water pump was leaking and one of the hose pipe was cracked. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to a nearby independent mechanic. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the water pump and the hose pipe needed to be replaced. The parts were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the

NHTSA complaint 11485741, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

530,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KENWORTH T680. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAVY TRUCK EXHIBITED NUMEROUS FAILURES WITH THE DIESEL FUEL SYSTEM WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURES OF THE NOX SENSOR, DIESEL FUEL DOSING VALVE, THE EGR COOLER, THE HC VALVE, THE AMMONIA SENSOR, THE COMMON RAIL, FUEL PUMP, EXHAUST FLEX PIPE, AND THE COMPUTER ALSO FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE HEAVY TRUCK TO NOT EXCEED 5 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY REPAIR COVERAGE HOWEVER, THE MILEAGE OF 435,000 MILES WAS EXCEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 530,000.*DT*JB

NHTSA complaint 11322873. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

20 miles

MY 2015 KENWORTH T680 FROM WHAT I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER SHOP HAS A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP THAT CAUSING THE ENGINE OF MY TO STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY ALMOST CAUSED ME A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT, BUT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY SO I AM PLACING THIS COMPLAINT TO SEE IF I CAN GET ANY ASSISTANCE, THANKS.

NHTSA complaint 11219663. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

669,842 miles

TAKATA RECALL MHC KENWORTH HAS REPLACED OR CORRECTED THE DRIVERS LOW BEAM LIGHT 5 TIMES, 3 FOR FEE AND 2 AS A COST TO MY BUSINESS. THE THIS HEADLIGHT CONTINUES TO MALFUNCTION AND THE LIGHT BULB IS NOT EVEN BLOWN. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS GOES PITCH BLACK DARK. THE ORANGE ENGINE OUTLINE COMES ON EVERY SINGLE TIME THE MALFUNCTION OCCURS. THIS IS NOT SAFE AND WE CANNOT CONTINUE DRIVING THIS TRUCK LIKE THIS. THE TRUCK CONTINUES TO MISFIRE AFTER THE WARRANTY COVERED THE INJECTORS REPLACEMENT. SOME TIMES THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SHUT DOWN IN THE TRUCK. I NEED ANSWERS ASAP AS THIS CAN COST THOUSANDS IN FINES AND DOT FEES! THIS HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE, NUMEROUS TIMES WITH THE MOST RECENT BEING DEC

NHTSA complaint 11165381, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

395,600 miles

I HAVE ALWAYS ANY LIGHTS ON MY TRUCK / NOW CHEEK ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR CCV SPEEDO ROTOR / SENSOR NOX ALL MOST $3500 DOLLER NEED FIX / I DON'T HAVE / BEFORE I LOT MONEY PUT ON REPAIR/

NHTSA complaint 11154820. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Kenworth T680

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2023 9 9
2020 8 7
2019 8 8
2018 11 14
2017 9 10
2014 10 13

Every Kenworth on this site — 7 vehicles, 224 recall campaigns and 0 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst