1999 Kenworth C500

Routine

Owners filed 1 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the trailer hitches. It has been recalled 7 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Trailer Hitches1
000

7 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Service Brakes, Air03V126000
Filed Mar 31, 200345 vehiclesPaccar Incorporated

Defect. CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR P 18X7 BRAKES WITH 36" BRAKE CHAMBERS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE TRUCKS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A COMBINED AIR RESERVOIR VOLUME LESS THAN 12 TIMES THE COMBINED VOLUME OF ALL SERVICE BRAKE CHAMBERS.

Risk. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL ADD AN ADDITIONAL TANK OR CHANGE ONE OF THE EXISTING AIR TANKS TO A LARGER SIZE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 5, 2003. 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 1-425-828-5440.

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly02V037003
Filed Jul 15, 20024,513 vehiclesPaccar, Incorporated

Defect. HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW TIE ROD ENDS ON CERTAIN ARVINMERITOR AND DANA AXLES. PETERBILT WILL RECALL 1,434 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ARVINMERITOR AXLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 11, 1999, TO MAY 14, 2000, AND FROM JULY 22 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2000. KENWORTH WILL RECALL 859 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ARVINMERITOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 11, 1999, TO MAY 23, 2000, AND FROM JULY 27, 2000, TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND KENNWORTH WILL RECALL AN ADDITIONAL 4,151 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DANA AXLES AND MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 23 TO DECEMBER 6, 1999, AND FROM MAY 23 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2000. THE TIE ROD AND DRAG LINK BALL STUD ENDS CONTAIN BEARINGS THAT ARE BELOW THE SPECIFIED CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS.

Risk. THIS CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR WITH POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL AFFECTED TIE RODS AND DRAG LINKS WITH DIFFERENT DESIGNED ENDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 15, 2002. 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 PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4201 OR KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly01V140006
Filed Aug 28, 20012,294 vehiclesPaccar, Incorporated

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW TIE ROD ENDS ON CERTAIN MERITOR AXLES. THE TIE ROD AND DRAG LINK BALL STUD ENDS CONTAIN BEARINGS THAT ARE BELOW THE SPECIFIED CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS.

Risk. THIS CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR WITH POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL AFFECTED TIE RODS AND DRAG LINKS WITH DIFFERENT DESIGNED ENDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 24, 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 PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4000 OR KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5000.

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly01V044005
Filed Mar 1, 20016,392 vehiclesPaccar, Incorporated

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED BY TRW. THE SUSPECT TIE RODS CONTAIN 24-DL MODEL BALL SOCKETS. CERTAIN OF THE TIE ROD BALL-SOCKET BEARINGS HAVE A BELOW-SPECIFICATION CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR OF THE SOCKET.

Risk. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BALL SOCKETS AND/OR DRAG LINKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2001, TO KENWORTH OWNERS AND ON APRIL 25, 2001, TO PETERBILT OWNERS. 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, PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4000 OR TRW CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-280-3287.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm01V051000
Filed Feb 20, 2001209 vehiclesPaccar, Incorporated

Defect. 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.

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

Remedy. 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.

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers01V021000
Filed Feb 5, 20011,992 vehiclesPaccar, Incorporated

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL FIREWALL-MOUNTED CIRCUIT BREAKER. THE MAIN CAB POWER AND BATTERY POWER LEADS WERE ATTACHED INCORRECTLY. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE MAIN CAB POWER BEING UNPROTECTED.

Risk. IF A WIRING SHORT OCCURRED ANYWHERE ALONG THE CAB POWER CIRCUIT, THE AVAILABLE BATTERY POWER COULD ARC AND CAUSE SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE OR A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM, AS NEEDED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 26, 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.

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly00V246102
Filed Sep 13, 20003,260 vehiclesPaccar, Incorporated

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW TIE ROD ENDS ON CERTAIN MERITOR AXLES. THE TIE ROD AND DRAG LINK BALL STUD ENDS CONTAIN BEARINGS THAT ARE BELOW THE SPECIFIED CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS.

Risk. THIS CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR WITH POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL AFFECTED TIE RODS AND DRAG LINKS WITH DIFFERENT DESIGNED ENDS.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Trailer Hitches
Filed Feb 6, 2011IN

1999 KENWORTH CONVENTIONAL, UNIT 1 WAS EXITING THE EMERGENCY PULL OFF. THE TRAILER OF UNIT 1 BECAME DISCONNECTED AND THE TRAILER FELL ONTO THE PAVEMENT, CAUSING DAMAGE. *BF TRAILER INFO: 1993 GREAT DANE BOX TRAILER. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0917-90) UPDATED 02/15/11 *BF

1 of 1 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2012
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20250100Routine
20230100Routine
20220100Routine
20210100Routine
20200100Routine
20190400Routine
20180500Routine
20170400Routine
20160300Routine
20150300Routine
20140400Routine
20130200Routine
20121300Routine
20110600Routine
20101400Routine
20090500Routine
20080900Routine
20071600Routine
20061510Routine
20050500Routine
20040400Routine
20030300Routine
20020200Routine
20010400Routine
20000700Routine
1999 — this page1700Routine
19980300Routine
19970300Routine
19960400Routine
19950100Routine
19940100Routine
19930100Routine
19920100Routine
19910300Routine
19900100Routine

Compare every C500 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 31, 2003. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.