VehicleVerdict

2009 Kenworth C500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 2009 Kenworth C500 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other C500 years?

See all C500 years to avoid →

Does the 2009 Kenworth C500 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V145000BrakesFebruary 23, 2024 · 936 units

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."

Consequence

Insufficient air volume can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.

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.

11V203000EngineMarch 24, 2011 · 5,831 units

Defect

PACCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 KENWORTH C500, T2000, T600, AND T660, AS WELL AS MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 PETERBILT 387 AND 388 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR C15 ENGINE AND MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 11, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 17, 2010. DEGRADATION OF A COMBUSTION TUBE WELD CAN CAUSE RADIAL HEAT IMPINGEMENT ON THE BODY WHICH MAY BURN THROUGH CERTAIN BODIES USED ON C15 ENGINES.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

CATERPILLAR IS HANDLING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. PLEASE SEE CATERPILLAR'S DEFECT REPORT 11E-006. CATERPILLAR WILL REPLACE THE SINGLE PIECE COMBUSTION TUBE WITH A THICK WALL COMBUSTION TUBE WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW THE HEAT TO BREAK THROUGH. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. DUE TO A PARTS SUPPLY ISSUE, OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY THE END OF APRIL 2011 ABOUT THE SAFETY DEFECT, AND WILL THEN BE NOTIFIED AGAIN ONCE THE FREE REMEDY IS AVAILABLE, CURRENTLY ESTIMATED TO BE AROUND LATE JULY 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CATERPILLAR TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-447-4986.

10V308000SteeringJuly 2, 2010 · 9,697 units

Defect

PACCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW STEERING SHAFTS. THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL WELD AROUND THE STEERING SHAFT TUBE THAT WELDS THE SPLINED TUBE TO THE NON-SPLINED TUBE MAY BE MISLOCATED. MISLOCATION OF THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL WELD MAY ALLOW THE SPLINED TUBE AND NON-SPLINED TUBE TO ROTATE RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER DURING A LOW SPEED, HIGH TORQUE TURN, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A SEPARATION OF THE TWO TUBES.

Consequence

A SEPARATION OF THE SPLINED AND NON-SPLINED TUBES WOULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING SHAFT USING A WELD PLACEMENT GAUGE PROVIDED BY TRW. ANY STEERING SHAFT FOUND TO HAVE BEEN WELDED IMPROPERLY WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440 AND PETERBILT AT 940-591-4196.

10V212000Body & StructureMay 18, 2010 · 10 units

Defect

KENWORTH IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 C500 TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 24, 2008 THROUGH JANUARY 13, 2010. DURING MANEUVERS WITH CERTAIN COMBINATIONS OF WHEEL TURN, ARTICULATION, AND BUMP, THE BRAKE CHAMBER CAN CONTACT THE REAR HOOD SUPPORT.

Consequence

THE CONTACT CAN DAMAGE THE BRAKE CHAMBER LEADING TO A LOSS OF BRAKING FUNCTION AT THE AFFECTED WHEEL END, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

KENWORTH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 8, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.

08V128000BrakesMarch 21, 2008 · 1,043 units

Defect

PACCAR IS RECALLING 1,043 MY 2008-2009 KENWORTH C500, T2000,T660, T800 AND W900 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX MV-3 DASH CONTROL VALVES. THE MOLDED VALVE BODY HAS AN INCORRECT CORE PIN IN THE INJECTION MOLD CAUSING THE VALVE BODY TO BE OVERSIZED IN THE DOUBLE CHECK VALVE AREA. THIS CONDITION CAN ALLOW THE RUBBER DOUBLE CHECK VALVE TO BECOME LODGED IN THE BODY OPENING UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

Consequence

IF THE DOUBLE CHECK VALVE BECOMES LODGED, IN THE EVENT OF A PRIMARY RESERVOIR FAILURE, AIR PRESSURE CAN LEAK PAST THE LODGED DOUBLE CHECK VALVE THEREBY DEPLETING THE SECONDARY RESERVOIR, CAUSING REDUCED ABILITY FOR MODULATING THE SERVICE EMERGENCY BRAKES. IN SUCH AN EVENT, THE OPERATOR SHOULD OBSERVE AN AIR LEAK, INDICATIONS OF LOW AIR PRESSURE VIA THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY AIR GAUGES, AND AUDIBLE AND VISUAL LOW AIR PRESSURE WARNING ALARMS. A VEHICLE CRASH IS POSSIBLE IF THESE WARNINGS ARE NOT HEEDED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BENDIX MV-3 DASH CONTROL VALVES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 14, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-4196.

2009 Kenworth C500 — common questions

Is the 2009 Kenworth C500 reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2009 Kenworth C500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Kenworth C500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.