IllustrationWHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THIS FORCED THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE THE LACK OF VISIBILITY. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT HEADLIGHT WIRING MELTED. *AK
2003 Kenworth W900
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all W900 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 1 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
1 reportsOfficial recalls
607V107000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Mar 16, 2007
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE WIRING, PARTS, OR TRANSMISSION PROGRAMMING REQUIRED FOR THE AUTO NEUTRAL FEATURE TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED WERE EITHER NOT INSTALLED, CONNECTED, OR PROGRAMMED PROPERLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL WHEN LEFT IN DRIVE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE SET ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE COULD MOVE WITHOUT WARNING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE AFFECTED VEHICLES TO ENSURE THE AUTO NEUTRAL FEATURE FUNCTIONS PROPERLY AND, IF NEEDED, WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 9, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440.
04V174000 · Electrical System:wiring
Apr 12, 2004
CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH EATON FULLER ULTRASONIC TRANSMISSIONS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT." THE CAB TRANSMISSION HARNESS COULD HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY WIRED DURING PRODUCTION INSTALLATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE NEUTRAL START FEATURE OF THE TRANSMISSION TO DISABLE ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO START IN GEAR INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE CONNECTIONS IN THE WIRING HARNESS IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.
03V285000 · Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers
Aug 5, 2003
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, THE MAIN CAB WIRING HARNESS WAS INCORRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE 50 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER INSTEAD OF THE 135 AMP BREAKER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND THE WIRING WILL BE CORRECTED IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 16, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.
03V234000 · Unknown Or Other
Jul 1, 2003
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH VERTICAL TAIL PIPES, THE FRAME ACCESS GRABHANDLE IS MOUNTED TOO HIGH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A PERSON TO SLIP AND/OR FALL AND COULD LEAD TO PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE GRABHANDLE LOCATION AND IF DETERMINED TO BE MOUNTED TOO HIGH, THE HANDLE WILL BE RELOCATED TO THE PROPER HEIGHT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.
03V168000 · Trailer Hitches:fifth Wheel Assembly
May 5, 2003
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH JOST INTERNATIONAL JSK 37U SERIES FIFTH WHEELS, A FATIGUE CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE BRACKET PIN WELD UNDER CERTAIN LOADING CONDITIONS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF LEFT UNDETECTED OR CORRECTED IT COULD LEAD TO THE SEPARATION OF THE FIFTH WHEEL TOP PLATE FROM ITS MOUNTING STRUCTURE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRACKET PINS AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. PETERBILT'S OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 20, 2003. KENWORTH'S OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 12, 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 PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201 OR KENWORTH 425-828-5440.
03V045000 · Exterior Lighting
Feb 13, 2003
CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRAILER CONNECTIONS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS (FMVSS) NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS," AND NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE SUPPLIER REMOVED A RUBBER GROMMET FROM THE TRAILER LIGHT LINE CONNECTOR. THE VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING CORROSION AT THE 7-WAY TRAILER CONNECTION. THIS CAUSES INTERMITTENT FLASHING/FLICKERING OF THE TRAILER LIGHTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND/OR POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE MISSING GROMMET ON ALL AFFECTED CHASSIS. IF A CONNECTOR IS FOUND DEFECTIVE, IT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW CONNECTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS BEGAN ON MARCH 14, 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.