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Vehicle safety record

1998 Kenworth T2000 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 1998 Kenworth T2000 with NHTSA, most often about the suspension (1) and the fuel system (1). It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in April 2003 for the hub. For comparison, the 1997 has 3 and the 1999 has 2.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical T2000 year, for its age

#254 most complained-about 1998 vehicle

Complaints
3
Recalls
4
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Most common 1998 Kenworth T2000 problems

Share of all 3 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

1998 Kenworth T2000 recalls 4

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

Suspension: hub

03V125000154 vehicles affected

The problem
On certain trucks equipped with truck hub units manufactured by skf exclusively for use on arvinmeritor's ff98x series non-drive steer axles, the hub unit bearings can wear prematurely.
The risk
Seizure of the bearings can cause wheel separation or wheel end fire.
The fix
Dealers will replace all front axle hubs. Notification began july 16, 2003. The manufacturer has advised us that parts will not be available until september 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy with a reasonable time should contact peterbilt at 940-591-4201 or kenworth 425-828-5440.

Suspension: lower arm

01V051000209 vehicles affected

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.

Electrical system: module

99V181001272 vehicles affected

The problem
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with caterpillar engines and eaton autoshift transmissions. The engines can stall because of software problems.
The risk
INCREASED STEERING EFFORT CAN OCCUR.
The fix
Dealers will update these engines with software changes. Caterpillar is conducting the owner notification and remedy of this recall.

Electrical system: front underhood

98V1290009,500 vehicles affected

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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3 complaints about the 1998 Kenworth T2000

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Suspension

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 kenworth t2000. While driving at 55 mph, the rear of the vehicle failed to remain in position. The contact had to steer the vehicle in excess in order to keep the vehicle in position. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the lateral pins holding the suspension had shifted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that both rear sway bars needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was aware of nhtsa campaign number: 01v051000 (suspension) but the vin was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,200,000.

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 10783644
Fuel system

I had a fuel line failure on my 98 kenworth t2000 with a 60 series detroit engine. The fuel line is routed behind the starter and it ruptured do to rubbing on the clamp that is supposed to stop it from vibration. It covered everything in the engine compartment with fuel along with the starter. If I had used the starter I am sure the resulting fire would have done a huge amount of damage. This is a very standard practice of kenworth to route the fuel lines this way. I have talked to many mechanic's that say this happens very frequently. *Nlm

Filed Incident Fuel system, otherNHTSA 10023513
Steering

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 766541

Kenworth T2000: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20021300Wheels & tiresB
20011500BrakesC
20002600Electrical systemC
19992801Engine & coolingD
19983400Fuel systemC
19973400Body, doors & structureC
19960300-B
19950100-A
All T2000 years

1998 Kenworth T2000 vs rivals

VehicleComplaintsRecallsCrashesGrade
1998 Kenworth T2000340C
1998 Kenworth W900360CCompare
1998 Kenworth T800180CCompare
1998 Kenworth Kenworth100ACompare

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.

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Questions about the 1998 Kenworth T2000

Does the 1998 Kenworth T2000 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 1998 Kenworth T2000: hub (April 2003); lower arm (February 2001); module (July 1999); 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.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Kenworth T2000?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the suspension (1), fuel system (1), steering (1).

How many complaints has the 1998 Kenworth T2000 had?

3 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on September 1, 2002 and the latest on October 20, 2015. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 1998 Kenworth T2000 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 56 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Kenworth T2000 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 T2000 years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 1998 Kenworth T2000 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

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