- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
1997 Kenworth C500 Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1997 Kenworth C500 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in March 2003 for the service brakes, air.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical C500 year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1997 Kenworth C500 recalls 3
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Failure of the lower sway arm attaching bolts could result in loss of vehicle control.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- This chaffing can cause fuel leakage and a potential for a fire in the engine compartment.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect, adjust, and repair, if necessary, the fuel line and electrical harness.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1997 Kenworth C500 yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Kenworth C500: every year compared
All C500 years1997 Kenworth C500 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Kenworth C500 | 0 | 3 | C | |
| 1997 Kenworth T2000 | 3 | 4 | C | Compare |
| 1997 Kenworth Kenworth | 2 | 0 | B | Compare |
| 1997 Kenworth T600 | 2 | 4 | C | Compare |
| 1997 Kenworth T800 | 1 | 9 | C | Compare |
| 1997 Kenworth W900 | 1 | 5 | B | Compare |
| 1997 Kenworth W900B | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1997 Kenworth W900L | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1997 Kenworth C500
Does the 1997 Kenworth C500 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1997 Kenworth C500: service brakes, air (March 2003); lower arm (February 2001); front underhood (June 1998). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1997 Kenworth C500 had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1997 Kenworth C500 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 52 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Kenworth C500 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Kenworth C500 years have the most complaints?
1999 (1), 2006 (1), 2007 (1). See every Kenworth C500 year compared.
What should I do if my 1997 Kenworth C500 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data