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1997 Kenworth T2000 Recalls & Complaints

4

open safety recalls on record

Critical

15 owner complaints filed · Severity Index 0.00 · updated 2026-08-07

The recalls

Critical98V129000

Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood

THIS CHAFFING CAN CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE AND A POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Remedy & full details

DEALERS WILL INSPECT, ADJUST, AND REPAIR, IF NECESSARY, THE FUEL LINE AND ELECTRICAL HARNESS.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR 3406E ENGINES. THE ROUTING OF THE ELECTRICAL AND FUEL LINES CAN CAUSE CHAFFING OF THE WIRING HARNESS ON THE FUEL LINE.

Serious97V139000

Suspension:Rear

THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL raises the risk of A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy & full details

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ARM ASSEMBLY MANUFACTURED FROM A DIFFERENT MATERIAL. NEW STUDS WILL BE INSTALLED WITH DIFFERENT THREADS AND DIFFERENT FINISH.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH KENWORTH AIRGLIDE 200 REAR SUSPENSION. DUE TO MATERIALS USED IN THE SWAY BAR ARMS AND STUDS AS WELL AS THE STUD PLATING MATERIAL, STRESS CORROSION CRACKING AND BENDING FATIGUE CAN OCCUR IN THE REAR SUSPENSION SWAY BAR ARMS AND STUDS CAUSING THE STUD TO FAIL PREMATURELY.

Moderate01V051000

Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm

FAILURE OF THE LOWER SWAY ARM ATTACHING BOLTS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy & full details

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER SWAY ARM BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5000.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 54" REAR AXLE SPACING CONFIGURATION OF THE AIRGLIDE 200 SUSPENSION WITH THE SERVICE APPLICATION IDENTIFIED AS LOGGER, DUMP TRUCK, OR TANKER. THE REAR SUSPENSION IS REGULARLY SUBJECTED TO EXTREME ARTICULATION, RESULTING IN FLEXING OF THE JOINT.

Moderate97V085000

Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch

THE DOOR LATCH WILL NOT RELEASE FROM EITHER THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy & full details

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DOOR LATCHES FOR CERTAIN DATE CODES AND REPLACE SUSPECT LATCHES WITH NEW LATCHES.

A SECONDARY BEND OPERATION WAS NOT PERFORMED DURING ASSEMBLY OF THE DOOR LATCH WHICH COULD CAUSE THE DOOR LATCH TO JAM WHEN LOCKED.

Complaint volume

15 this model-year 8 median, same year

Volume alone is not a fault rate — popular vehicles attract more reports. Read it next to the severity mix below.

What owners reported happened

0Crashes
0Fires
0Injuries
0Deaths

Across 15 complaints. Severity Index 0.00.

Severity Index weights each complaint's reported outcome (death ×10, injury ×4, fire ×3, crash ×2) and divides by total complaints. It measures how severe reports are, not how often faults occur.

What owners report most

Visibility · Windshield3 · 20%Visibility · Power Window…2 · 13%Equipment · Electrical · …2 · 13%Suspension · Front1 · 7%Latches/Locks/Linkages · …1 · 7%Exterior Lighting · Tail …1 · 7%Structure · Frame And Mem…1 · 7%Engine And Engine Cooling…1 · 7%
  1. Visibility:Windshield — 3 reports
  2. Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls — 2 reports
  3. Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. — 2 reports
  4. Suspension:Front — 1 reports
  5. Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch — 1 reports
  6. Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights — 1 reports
  7. Structure:Frame And Members — 1 reports
  8. Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly — 1 reports
  9. Structure:Body:Door — 1 reports
  10. Air Bags — 1 reports

What to do

  1. Find your 17-character VIN on the driver's door jamb or the base of the windscreen.
  2. Check it against NHTSA's official lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls — the authoritative record for your exact car.
  3. Book the repair with any franchised dealer. Safety recall work is free, with no time limit and regardless of who owns the car now.

Other model years

1997 · 1998 (4) · 1999 (8) · 2000 (6) · 2001 (5) · 2002 (3) · 2003 (5) · 2004 (7) · 2006 (7) · 2007 (11) · 2008 (14)

Numbers in brackets are open recall campaigns for that year.

Questions

Does an open recall mean the car is unsafe to drive?

Not usually. NHTSA issues a "do not drive" or "park outside" advisory when a defect is dangerous enough to keep you out of the car — those are flagged Critical above. Everything else should be repaired promptly but is not an immediate stop-driving order.

Do I pay for recall repairs?

No. Federal law requires the manufacturer to fix a safety recall free of charge, including parts and labour, whether or not you are the original owner.

Why are there complaints but no recalls?

Complaints are unverified reports filed by owners. They can prompt an investigation, but many never become recalls — either the fault isn't safety-related or it isn't widespread.

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