2013 Kenworth T270

Routine

No owner complaints are on file for this vehicle. It has been recalled 5 times.

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Electronic Stability Control (esc)20V199000
Filed Apr 6, 2020460,515 vehiclesPaccar Incorporated

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."

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

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.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor15V271000
Filed May 8, 2015104,807 vehiclesPaccar Incorporated

Defect. PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Kenworth T270, T370, T440, T470, C500, C540, C550, T660, T800, W900, and 963 trucks manufactured November 1, 2010, to April 6, 2015. In the affected trucks, water may leak into the wiper motor.

Risk. As water leaks in, the wiper may cease to function on the 'intermittent' setting, reducing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the water may cause corrosion which, over time, may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy. PACCAR is still developing and testing a remedy. The recall is expected to begin in July 2015. An interim letter was sent to owners on July 2, 2015. The recall began on September 2, 1015. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000. PACCAR's number for this recall is 15KWF.

Service Brakes, Air › Supply › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings12V530000
Filed Oct 12, 201215 vehiclesPaccar Incorporated

Defect. Kenworth is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 T270 and T370 medium duty trucks built with Eaton Ultrashift transmissions between December 7, 2011, and April 6, 2012. The air harness from the treadle valve on the affected vehicles was routed in a manner that can cause the air brake lines to be pinched between the cab and the electronic clutch actuator of the Eaton Ultrashift transmission. Significant movement between the cab and transmission can cause progressive wear and an eventual leak in the air lines.

Risk. Air lines which leak can cause reduced brake function, which may result in a crash.

Remedy. Kenworth will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on November 30, 2012. Owners may contact Kenworth at 1-425-828-5000.

Equipment › Electrical12V452000
Filed Sep 12, 201228 vehiclesGeo. Heiser Body Co., Inc.

Defect. Geo. Heiser Body Company, Inc., (Geo. Heiser Body Company) is recalling certain model year 2006 International and 2010-2013 Fuso, Hino, International, Kenworth, and Peterbilt vehicles equipped with Sure Power battery separator devices. These devices may overheat.

Risk. Overheating of the battery separator can result in smoke and possible fire.

Remedy. Geo. Heiser Body Company will notify owners and will replace the battery separators free of charge. The safety recall began on October 25, 2012. Owners may contact Geo. Heiser Body Company at 1-206-622-7985.

Service Brakes, Air › Supply › Check Valve12V026000
Filed Jan 30, 201215,932 vehiclesPaccar Incorporated

Defect. PACCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012-2013 KENWORTH T170, T270, T370, T440, T470, T660, T700, T800, W900, AND PETERBILT 320, 330, 337, 348, 365, 367, 382, 384, 386, 388, 389, AND 587 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 31, 2011, THROUGH JANUARY 19, 2012, AND EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX ATR-6 ANTILOCK TRACTION RELAY VALVES. IN EXTREMELY COLD CONDITIONS, THESE BENDIX RELAY VALVES MAY POTENTIALLY DEVELOP INTERNAL LEAKAGE. INTERNAL LEAKAGE CAN LEAD TO AIR PRESSURE BEING DELIVERED TO AFFECTED PRIMARY OR SECONDARY BRAKE CAUSING CONTINUOUS BRAKE APPLICATION.

Risk. UNEXPECTED CONTINUOUS BRAKE APPLICATION CAN CAUSE THE BRAKES TO OVERHEAT AND LEAD TO A FIRE. UNEXPECTED CONTINUOUS BRAKE APPLICATION CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. ALSO, THE BRAKES MAY BE APPLIED WITHOUT ILLUMINATING THE BRAKE LIGHTS, FAILING TO GIVE PROPER WARNING TO OTHER DRIVERS.

Remedy. PACCAR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND PROVIDE A TEMPORARY REPAIR UNTIL BENDIX DEVELOPS A PERMANENT REMEDY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 10, 2012. OWNER MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440 AND PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4196.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2015
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20230100Routine
20220200Routine
20210200Routine
20200500Routine
20190500Routine
20180500Routine
20170200Routine
20160300Routine
20151401Fatalities reported
20141600Routine
2013 — this page0500Routine
20120400Routine
20110400Routine
20100300Routine
20090300Routine
20080400Routine
20070100Routine

Compare every T270 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: Apr 6, 2020. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.