- The problem
- 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."
- The risk
- Insufficient air volume can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2012 Kenworth C500 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2012 Kenworth C500 with NHTSA, most often about the wheels & tires (1). It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in February 2024 for the reservoir / tank. For comparison, the 2011 has 0 and the 2013 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical C500 year, for its age
#360 most complained-about 2012 vehicle
- Complaints
- 1
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2012 Kenworth C500 problems
Share of all 1 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2012 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
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- Paccar is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 kenworth t270/370, t440/t470, t800, t660, w900 and c500 vehicles manufactured between october 18, 2010, and january 28, 2011. Certain cast iron slack adjuster housings, which transmit braking force from the brake chamber push rod to the brake cam tube, may include a flow notch in the handle portion of the housing due to an error during the casting process. A flow notch in the handle portion may reduce the effective cross section structure and cause the slack adjuster housing to fracture.
- The risk
- If the slack adjuster housing were to fracture, the wheel brake to which the slack adjuster housing is attached would no longer function, which could increase vehicle stopping distances, and if mounted on the steer axle, could cause the vehicle to pull to one side during braking, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the slack adjuster housing as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on march 30, 2011. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440.
What owners say
Be the first C500 owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
1 complaints about the 2012 Kenworth C500
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
We did 20+ hours of work on this truck and all after hour rates. This company is withholding money they owed. We have asked to work with us and now they will not answer any phone calls from us or our lawyers. Stop this truck. They owe us $2850.00 They need to be stopped before they lie out of money they owe us. *Tr
Kenworth C500: every year compared
All C500 years2012 Kenworth C500 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Kenworth C500 | 1 | 3 | C | |
| 2012 Kenworth T660 | 1 | 9 | C | Compare |
| 2012 Kenworth T800 | 1 | 10 | C | 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 2012 Kenworth C500
Does the 2012 Kenworth C500 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Kenworth C500: reservoir / tank (February 2024); motor (May 2015); slack adjusters (March 2011). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Kenworth C500?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the wheels & tires (1).
How many complaints has the 2012 Kenworth C500 had?
1 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 10, 2014 and the latest on April 10, 2014. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2012 Kenworth C500 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 48 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 2012 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