1996 KENWORTH C500
4 recalls, 0 complaints - 5 TSBs
03V126000 Mar 31, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
Defect Description
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 O... Read more
Consequence
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 ... Read more
01V051000 Feb 20, 2001
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
Defect Description
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.
Consequence
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.
98V129000 Jun 11, 1998
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
Defect Description
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.
Consequence
THIS CHAFFING CAN CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE AND A POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT, ADJUST, AND REPAIR, IF NECESSARY, THE FUEL LINE AND ELECTRICAL HARNESS.
96V056000 Apr 3, 1996
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
Defect Description
THE WIRES THAT CORRESPOND TO THE VEHICLE'S REAR TURN SIGNALS WERE REVERSED WHEN INSTALLED IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION WILL CAUSE THE REAR TURN SIGNALS TO FLASH OPPOSITE FROM THE DIRECTION INTENDED BY THE DRIVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH.
No complaints found for this vehicle.
Technical Service Bulletins, 1996 KENWORTH C500
5 manufacturer communications from 4 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 061200 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL | 1 |
| 063100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL | 1 |
| 060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| 350000 EQUIPMENT | 1 |
| 110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
32-015
Jun 8, 2020
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Information Only: This bulletin provides dealers with a battery warranty quick reference guide to ensure the appropriate tests for battery warranty are performed in order to prevent battery warranty claims filed with incorrect or incomplet
32-016
Mar 17, 2020
350000 EQUIPMENT
Information Only: Proper jump-starting voltage will eliminate high voltage related issues and equipment damage.
01-075
Nov 6, 2019
060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Information Only: This bulletin provides guidance for repairing an air-conditioning system after internal failure of the A/C compressor.
TIB-44-17
Oct 23, 2008
061200 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
KENWORTH TRUCKS: REDUCED ENGINE POWER FROM FUEL STARVATION. ANY MODEL KENWORTH EQUIPPED WITH THE 2007 EMISSIONS COMPLIANT ISX ENGINE AND OPTIONAL DAVCO 382 FUEL FILTER, BUILT PRIOR TO 8/11/08, *PE
TIB-44-17
Oct 23, 2008
063100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
KENWORTH TRUCKS: REDUCED ENGINE POWER FROM FUEL STARVATION. ANY MODEL KENWORTH EQUIPPED WITH THE 2007 EMISSIONS COMPLIANT ISX ENGINE AND OPTIONAL DAVCO 382 FUEL FILTER, BUILT PRIOR TO 8/11/08, *PE
NHTSA Safety Investigations, KENWORTH C500
Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.
PE08011
Opened: Feb 8, 2008 , Closed: May 5, 2008
TRAILER LIGHT PLUG FAILURE
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF KENWORTH PRODUCTS BASED ON THEIR FIELD COMMUNICATION TIB # 34-31.KENWORTH INTRODUCED THE QCS II STA-DRY TRAILER CABLE IN MAY 2006.THE TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN STEMMED FROM FIELD FEEDBACK THAT INDICATED A FLEXIBILIT... Read more
KENWORTH C500 - All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the KENWORTH C500 across all model years (1975, 2025).
130
Total Recalls
5
Total Complaints
1
Investigations
1
Reported Crashes
1
Reported Fires
0
Reported Deaths
KENWORTH C500 - Year by Year
Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 2019 | 4 | 0 | View |
| 2018 | 5 | 0 | View |
| 2017 | 4 | 0 | View |
| 2016 | 3 | 0 | View |
| 2015 | 3 | 0 | View |
| 2014 | 4 | 0 | View |
| 2013 | 2 | 0 | View |
| 2012 | 3 | 1 | View |
| 2011 | 6 | 0 | View |
| 2010 | 4 | 1 | View |
| 2009 | 5 | 0 | View |
| 2008 | 9 | 0 | View |
| 2007 | 6 | 1 | View |
| 2006 | 5 | 1 | View |
| 2005 | 5 | 0 | View |
| 2004 | 4 | 0 | View |
| 2003 | 3 | 0 | View |
| 2002 | 2 | 0 | View |
| 2001 | 4 | 0 | View |
| 2000 | 7 | 0 | View |
| 1999 | 7 | 1 | View |
| 1998 | 3 | 0 | View |
| 1997 | 3 | 0 | View |
| 1996 (current) | 4 | 0 | |
| 1995 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1994 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1993 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1992 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1991 | 3 | 0 | View |
| 1990 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1989 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1981 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1980 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1979 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1978 | 2 | 0 | View |
| 1977 | 2 | 0 | View |
| 1976 | 2 | 0 | View |
| 1975 | 2 | 0 | View |