CSR

Kenworth · NHTSA safety record

2017 Kenworth T680

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

9

Complaints

0

Crashes

5

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2017 Kenworth T680 have filed 9 safety complaints with NHTSA between April 2017 and February 2025. The most complained-about system is the brakes, named in 6 of them (67%). The typical failure was reported at 209,000 miles, the median across the 9 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 10 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (10)

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

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

20V593000 · September 28, 2020

The defect
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Kenworth T680 trucks equipped with a 2.1m Cab and WABCO 6S/6M ABS brake system with drum brakes. The brake systems were manufactured with a standard rear-brake ABS modulator valve instead of a quick release valve, which may exceed the intended service-brake release timing. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
The risk
Longer than expected service-brake release timing may lengthen vehicle stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will replace the standard rear-brake, ABS modulator valve with a quick release valve, free of charge. The recall began November 30, 2020. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR's number for this recall is 20KWD.

PACCAR Incorporated · up to 1,416 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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

18V657000 · September 21, 2018

The defect
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Kenworth C500, T600, T660, T680, T800, T880 and W900 trucks, as well as Peterbilt 367, 386, 389, 567, 579 and 587 trucks, equipped with Cummins ISX15 or X15 diesel engines. In certain driving conditions, such as on a long down-hill grade, the fuel line may burst if the fuel pump cooling circuit screen becomes restricted.
The risk
If the fuel line bursts, fuel may leak onto the road resulting in a roadway hazard for other motorists. The engine may also stall without warning, resulting in the vehicle's inability to restart, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Cummins will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect fuel pump cooling circuit screen, free of charge. The recall began November 21, 2018. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 18E081.

PACCAR Incorporated · up to 48,896 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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

18V092000 · February 2, 2018

The defect
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kenworth T680 and T880 trucks, and Peterbilt 567 and 579 trucks, all equipped with an automated Eaton UltraShift Plus or Eaton Advantage Transmission with right hand stalk shifter. The display that indicates which transmission gear the driver selected may display incorrectly. The display can indicate 'N' when the shifter is set into 'D' or 'R', and the as a result, the truck will not move. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence/Starter Interlock/Transmission Braking Effect," and number 101, "Control and Displays."
The risk
A truck that does not move as expected can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will install a transmission software update, free of charge. The recall began on March 9, 2018. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall is 18KWA and 118-A.

PACCAR Incorporated · up to 1,938 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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

16V426000 · June 10, 2016

The defect
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2017 Kenworth C500, T660, T680, T800, T880, and W900 vehicles manufactured March 9, 2016, to April 26, 2016 and 2017 Peterbilt 320, 365, 367, 389, 567, 579, and 587 vehicles manufactured March 10, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with Cummins ISX12 or ISX15 engines and have an engine control module (ECM) that may short circuit, causing the engine to stall without warning without the ability to restart it.
The risk
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Cummins will notify owners, and Cummins dealers will replace the defective engine control modules, free of charge. The began on July 8, 2016. Owners may contact Cummins customer service at 1-800-343-7357, Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 16KWB (Kenworth) and 616-C (Peterbilt).

PACCAR Incorporated · up to 3,227 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 9.

SERVICE BRAKES 6 67%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 1 11%
TIRES 1 11%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1 11%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2018 at 6.

2017 2018 2025
2017 to 2025

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 · 205,893 miles

DRIVER DRIVING DOWN FLAT ROAD NEAR YUBA CITY CA, BRAKES STARTED SMOKING HEAT BLEW TIRE AND STARTED TIRES ON FIRE COMPLETE LOSS OF TRUCK AND TRAILER DEEMED HALDEX GOLD SEAL BRAKE CAN FAILURE THOUGHT TO HAVE CAUSED FIRE AND LOSS

NHTSA complaint 11110394. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

fire · 209,000 miles

DRIVER DRIVING DOWN FLAT HYWAY AND BRAKES STARTED SMOKING TRUCK STARTED ON FIRE, FIRE DEPTMENT WAS ABLE TO GET THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL BEFORE TOTAL LOSS OF TRUCK AND TRAILER, 36,000 DAMAGE TO TRUCK PLUS THE DAMAGE TO TRAILER CALLED IN HALDEX TECH REP DURING INVESTIGATION FOUND LEFT REAR HALDEX BRAKE CHAMBER FAILED WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE AND CAUSING THE BRAKES TO DRAG AT HYWAY SPEEDS CAUSING THE WHEEL END FIRE, BRAKE CHAMBER WAS LATER REMOVED AND DISARMED AND INSPECTED AND FOUND SPRING HAD BROKEN PUNCTURING THE AIR DIAPHRAGM CAUSING THE FIRE AND LOSS KNOWN DEFECT WITH THIS GOLD SEAL HALDEX BRAKE SPRING

NHTSA complaint 11110398. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

fire · 424,655 miles

DRIVER DRIVING DOWN ROAD IN ILLIONOIS RIGHT FRONT DRIVE AXLE WHEEL END BRAKES STARTED SMOKING WHEN BRAKE NOT DEPRESSED, DRIVER STOPPED FOUND BOTH TIRES IN TACT AND FULLY INFLATED THEN TIRES STARTED ON FIRE WHILE PARKED AND COULD NOT BE EXTINGUISHED TOTAL LOSS OF TRUCK TRAILER AND LOAD, CALLED IN FIRE TEAM DETERMINED HALDEX BRAKE CHAMBER ON RIGHT REAR FAILED AND CAUSE THE LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM BRAKE DRUMS SHOWED EXTREME HEAT DURING THE INSPECTION RESULTING IN THE FIRE, JOINT INSPECTION WITH HALDEX REVELED KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE BRAKE CHAMBER SPRING , BRAKE CHAMBER WAS DISARMED FOR INSPECTION AND WAS FOUND THE SPRING HAD BROKEN AND PUNCTURED THE DIAPHRAM CAUSING THE LOSS

NHTSA complaint 11110399, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

fire · 190,416 miles

DRIVER DRIVING DOWN HYWAY AND WHEEL END STARTED SMOKING, DRIVER STOPED AND FOUND HALDEX BRAKE CHAMBER LEAKING AIR CAUSING BRAKE TO APPLY ON THIER OWN WHICH RESULTING IN 1 WHEEL END SMOKING THE BRAKES CHANGED OUT BRAKE CHAMBER AND ALL BURNT PARTS

NHTSA complaint 11119976. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

TIRES

692,920 miles

The contact owns a 2017 Kenworth T680 equipped with Michelin Tires, Tire Line: X-One Line Grip, Tire Size: 445/50R/22.5, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated while driving 8 MPH, on the Interstate 75, the second tire on the passenger’s side experienced a blowout. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle spun out of control and the truck axle struck the second passenger’s side tire and rim. The contact drove the vehicle to Southern Tire Mart at Pilot, where the tire and the rim were replaced. The tire was a replacement tire. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the tire manufacturer. The tire manufacturer was notified of

NHTSA complaint 11640446, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

457,000 miles

The contact owns a 2017 Kenworth T680. The contact stated while driving downhill at 65 MPH, the check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights illuminated. The "Engine Failure. Stop Vehicle" message and other messages were displayed. The vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The contact opened the hood of the vehicle and noticed that fuel was leaking. The contact then turned off the ignition and the fuel stopped leaking. The contact then noticed that the fuel line that went from the fuel pump to the engine compartment had ruptured. The contact contacted an

NHTSA complaint 11477355, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

146,811 miles

REPAIRED FOR TRACTOR BROKE DOWN WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE COMPLAINT OF TRACTOR WILL NOT MOVE ROAD CALL FOR TRANSMISSION COMPLAINT NOT SHIFTING FOUND NOT A TRANS PROBLEM AND THAT BRAKES LOCKED UP WHILE IN DRIVING LANE, PINCHED OFF LINES TO GET TRUCK OUT OF TRAFFIC, REPLACED LEFT REAR HALDEX BRAKE CAN FOR LEAKING AIR CHECKED FOR FLAT SPOTS ON TIRE OK

NHTSA complaint 11120375. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

fire · 254,364 miles

WHILE DRIVING DOWN HYWAY WHEEL END STARTED SMOKING, DRIVER STOPPED AND FOUND HALDEX BRAKE CAN LEAKING AIR CAUSING THE BRAKES TO DRAG AND OVERHEAT

NHTSA complaint 11119975. 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
2015 8 11
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