1997 Kenworth T800

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1997 Kenworth T800
RENDERED 2026-08-02T14:02:01.091Z

Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Kenworth T800 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1987: 0 complaints 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 0 complaints 1990: 0 complaints 1991: 0 complaints 1992: 0 complaints 1992 1993: 0 complaints 1994: 2 complaints 1995: 2 complaints 1996: 1 complaints 1997: 1 complaints 1997 1998: 1 complaints 1999: 4 complaints 2000: 1 complaints 2001: 1 complaints 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2003: 1 complaints 2004: 3 complaints 2005: 3 complaints 2006: 4 complaints 2007: 1 complaints 2007 2008: 1 complaints 2009: 2 complaints 2010: 1 complaints 2011: 1 complaints 2012: 1 complaints 2012 2013: 0 complaints 2014: 0 complaints 2015: 0 complaints 2016: 1 complaints 2017: 0 complaints 2017 2018: 1 complaints 2019: 0 complaints 2020: 0 complaints 2021: 0 complaints 2022: 0 complaints 2022 2023: 0 complaints 2024: 0 complaints 2025: 0 complaints 2025
1997: 1 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19870
19880
19890
19900
19910
19920
19930
19942
19952
19961
19971
19981
19994
20001
20011
20020
20031
20043
20053
20064
20071
20081
20092
20101
20111
20121
20130
20140
20150
20161
20170
20181
20190
20200
20210
20220
20230
20240
20250

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 1 complaint on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

TIRES

1 of 1 total report mentions: tires.

STEERING

1 of 1 total report mentions: steering.

Show complaint excerpts

I WORK FOR [XXX]. THEY ARE MAKING ME DRIVE THE TRUCK UNSAFE WITHOUT HAVING ANY MAINTENANCE DONE TO THE TRUCK AND RUNNING OVER THE HOURS FROM 12-20 HOURS A DAY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20100523

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

1 of 1 total report mentions: fuel system, diesel.

Show complaint excerpts

I WORK FOR [XXX]. THEY ARE MAKING ME DRIVE THE TRUCK UNSAFE WITHOUT HAVING ANY MAINTENANCE DONE TO THE TRUCK AND RUNNING OVER THE HOURS FROM 12-20 HOURS A DAY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20100523

EQUIPMENT

1 of 1 total report mentions: equipment.

EQUIPMENT

1 of 1 total report mentions: equipment.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19970908 — suspension

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH KENWORTH AIRGLIDE 200 REAR SUSPENSION. DUE TO MATERIALS USED IN THE SWAY BAR ARMS AND STUDS AS WELL AS THE STUD PLATING MATERIAL, STRESS CORROSI

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ARM ASSEMBLY MANUFACTURED FROM A DIFFERENT MATERIAL. NEW STUDS WILL BE INSTALLED WITH DIFFERENT THREADS AND DIFFERENT FINISH.

Campaign 97V139000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19971218 — suspension

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DESIGN LEVEL 1, ROCKWELL FF980 SERIES FRONT AXLE. THE FRONT AXLE HUB FLANGE CAN DEVELOP CRACKS DUE TO HIGH STRESS LEVELS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE FRONT HUBS WITH AN IMPROVED DESIGN LEVEL 2 HUB.

Campaign 97V196003 — check if this car was fixed

R 19980702 — electrical system

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, ADJUST, AND REPAIR, IF NECESSARY, THE FUEL LINE AND ELECTRICAL HARNESS.

Campaign 98V129000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19990617 — suspension

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS ASSEMBLED WITH SKF LEVEL 2 TRUCK HUB UNITS (THU) RECEIVED FROM MERITOR. THESE HUBS CAN FATIGUE CRACK.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE HUBS WITH PRODUCTION LEVEL 3 HUBS.

Campaign 99V128002 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010327 — suspension

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 SU

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 TH

Campaign 01V051000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010622 — equipment

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR FG941 STEER AXLES. THE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR) WAS DETERMINED INCORRECTLY AND OVER-STATED ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL. WI

Remedy: VEHICLES WILL BE REMEDIED EITHER BY ASSIGNING THE PROPER WEIGHT RATING OR, IF POSSIBLE, BY CHANGING THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS TO MEET THE CURRENTLY ASSIGNED WEIGHT RATING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUN

Campaign 01V142000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20011210 — wheels

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS BUILT WITH ARVINMERITOR FRONT AXLE FF-981. THE WHEEL SEPARATOR PLATES ARE INCOMPATIBLE WITH SKF PHASE IV TRUCK HUB UNITS INCORPORATED INTO THE ARVINMERITOR FF

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHANGE THE FRONT HUBS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REM

Campaign 01V293002 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030505 — service brakes, air

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 TR

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

Campaign 03V126000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — vehicle speed control

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES ON THE C8.3G AND L10G ENGINES, THE ECM DOES NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO DETECT A THROTTLE FAIL-SAFE ENGINE SHUTDOWN COMMAND.

Remedy: CUMMINS WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE ECM. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-343-7357 OR KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.

Campaign 03V245000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Kenworth T800 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for tires issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, diesel issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 03V245000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V139000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V196003 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V129000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V128002 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V051000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V142000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V293002 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V126000 (service brakes, air) has been completed.

FAQ

Is the 1997 Kenworth T800 reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Kenworth T800?

The most-reported component is tires, accounting for 100% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Kenworth T800 have?

9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.