Owners have filed 11 complaints
about the 2020 Kenworth T680 with NHTSA between 2020 and 2024.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 6 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 38
Against the median year of the Kenworth T680. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2020 Kenworth T680
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Transmission & Drivetrain
545.5%
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
218.2%
Brakes
218.2%
Median failure at 47,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
19.1%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
19.1%
Median failure at 47,000 miles
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 2020peak 3Dec 2024
Recalls on the 2020 Kenworth T680
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2024121171 units in Canada
Brakes
Issue: On certain trucks, the reservoir tank for the air brake system is too small. In certain situations, this could cause reduced braking. Canadian regulations require enough air reservoir capacity to ensure the brakes work even with heavy use or when there is a partial loss of the air system. Safety Risk: Reduced braking can cause extended stopping distances and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: PACCAR will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your truck to a dealership to replace or add an additional air reservoir tank, as necessary.
Recall 2022210985 units in Canada
Steering
Issue: On certain trucks, the fasteners that attach the steer arm to the steering knuckle may fail. If this happens, the steer arm could separate from the steering knuckle and cause a loss of steering control. Note: This recall only affects trucks equipped with a Dana D-series steer axle. Safety Risk: A loss of steering control could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: PACCAR will notify owners by mail. The corrective actions for this recall are under development.
Recall 2022185846 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
Issue: On certain trucks, the daytime running lamps (DRLs) may not turn on when the vehicle starts moving. Canadian regulations require that DRLs must be on while driving, unless the headlamps or fog lamps are switched on. Note: This recall only affects trucks that were repaired under recall 21KWD (Transport Canada recall 2021-287). Safety Risk: Driving without daytime running lights could make the vehicle less visible to others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: PACCAR will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to a dealership to update the vehicle software.
Recall 20212879,308 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
Issue: On certain trucks, the driver may be able to turn off the daytime running lamps (DRLs) while driving. Canadian regulations require that DRLs must stay on while driving, unless the headlamps or fog lamps are switched on. Safety Risk: Driving without daytime running lights could make the vehicle less visible to others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: PACCAR will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to a dealer to update the vehicle software.
Recall 202046120 units in Canada
Brakes
Issue: Certain trucks were built with a standard rear brake ABS modulator valve instead of a quick release valve. This could result in an increased stopping distance. Note: This recall only affects certain trucks equipped with WABCO 6S/6M ABS brake systems and drum brakes. Safety Risk: An incorrect ABS modulator valve can cause increased stopping distances and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: PACCAR will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to a Kenworth dealer to replace the standard rear brake ABS modulator valves with quick release ABS modulator valves.
Recall 202014865,284 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
Issue: On certain trucks, the warning light for the tractor anti-lock brake system (ABS) may not turn on if the system loses power. If this happens, the driver will not get warning that the ABS is not working properly. Note: This problem would also cause the traction control (TC) and electronic stability control (ESC) lights not to turn on. Safety Risk: If a driver is not warned that the ABS is not working properly, there could be an increased risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: PACCAR will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to a dealer to update the software for the cab control module (CECU).
Recall 2019207431 units in Canada
Visual System
Issue: On certain trucks, the upper glass on the side mirrors may not be properly attached. This could cause the mirror glass to fall off or to hang from its wiring and block the lower convex mirror. Safety Risk: Missing or blocked mirrors will reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash. If the mirror glass falls from the vehicle, it could strike another vehicle or pedestrian. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their truck to a dealer to inspect the build date of upper mirror glass assembly. The mirror glass will be replaced as necessary.
Recall 20191182 units in Canada
Powertrain
Issue: On certain trucks, the rear axles may not contain any oil. This may result in accelerated bearing, hub and axle shaft wear. This wear could cause a separation of a wheel end (hub, wheel, and tires) from the truck. Safety Risk: The separation of a wheel end could increase the risk of a crash. Wheels that separate could also strike another road user. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their truck to a dealer to have the rear axle oil level inspected. If no oil is present, all wheel ends will be removed and bearing, hub and axle shafts inspected for damage. If excessive wear or heat damage is found, the parts will be replaced. The axles will be filled with the correct amount of oil.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Enoree, SC
POWER TRAIN
Right-hand shift stalk between the shifter and the transmission is causing the vehicle to become disabled while stopped and unable to go from forward to reverse. Also getting SPN 639 pop-up when communication has been lost between the engine control module (ECM) and SAE J1939 data link. The check engine light illuminates, and the ECM immediately logs the fault code. Have to depress brake pedal while stopped & cycle gear selector to get fault to clear to start engine . Message also displayed Transmission Fault Repair Required Find Service Center . Also had new spring clutch replaced in May of 2024. Truck has 525k miles on it .
NHTSA complaint #11629546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Covington, GA
POWER TRAIN
The clutch Spring on these trucks have been failing heavily. We have a couple more of these trucks and they all have the same issue. the housing for the clutch springs are cracked or damaged at less than 500,000 miles on a heavy duty truck. These clutches are supposed to last over 1MM miles. Its not a coincidence that every truck we have is failing at the same mileage. These clutches are made defective from the manufacturer. Its also a coincidence that the replacement clutches are not the original design and are of a newer design and brand. THIS is RED FLAGS!!!!
NHTSA complaint #11628937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cedar Rapids, IA
POWER TRAIN
My circumstances are EXACTLY as described in a release 12/19/2019 Tech Service Bulletin A002 I experienced the vibration in my steering wheel that caused me to be suspect that there was something wrong in the drive train. Upon further investigation. I noticed that an oil seal was leaking, and when I dug a little deeper, I noticed gears that were broken and shaved down and then stopped at a Kenworth corporate location upon which they told me that I needed to purchase the entire unit to fix it. I then decided that I was going to add some differential oil and drive at a speed of 45 miles an hour, which did not cause any vibration to Chicago, which was roughly 3 hours away from my location in Michigan upon which I would have more resources at my disposal. It is then that I learned of the technical service bulletin relating to my issue. I then took it to CIT trucks which is where I learned that you do not have to buy the complete unit that. The parts are available to be purchased to fix the issue. They did, however say that they would process the claim on behalf of this technical service bulletin. They advised me that the individual that they got a hold of seem to have an attitude about it and sometimes this happens whereas other times they will get a hold of somebody that will make an exception. Apparently they stated my situation is two months out of warranty from when my tractor was placed into service but it’s original owner. I am not in a position due to other issues that I have experience with the truck since purchasing it in June that I can afford this but more importantly, there is a known issue with the same exact identical problem that I experienced. I need help with my situation they need to be held accountable for what has gone wrong because it is not my fault.
NHTSA complaint #11617225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Covington, GA
POWER TRAIN
Throw out bearing failed prematurely. Truck only has 491,000 miles and has had a catastrophic failure resulting in a $29,000 repair bill. I have 4 other trucks like this and they are all showing signs of the same thing.
NHTSA complaint #11604753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Covington, GA
POWER TRAIN
The clutch has a loose spring, Fork is damaged. Throwout bearing worn.
NHTSA complaint #11604756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When driving, the truck will not go into gear. For example, if I am trying to shift gears in the automatic, it will stay in that gear. When traveling down the highway, it stays in a gear. I have to find a safe place to pull over and put it in neutral, then proceed. I have already changed the right hand stalk once before and it didnt go into reverse, that was the reason for changing it. I get codes saying that it needs to ve changed again and it was just recently put on.
NHTSA complaint #11577946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yuba City, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
This truck was breaking automatically, and no one was front of the truck, it was scary, I almost crashed with loaded trailer on my back, it has done it multiple times, and my traction light and stability light is on all the time and adaptive cruise control had turned off completely abs light comes on and off frequently,
NHTSA complaint #11491361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yuba City, CA
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
This truck was breaking automatically, and no one was front of the truck, it was scary, I almost crashed with loaded trailer on my back, it has done it multiple times, and my traction light and stability light is on all the time and adaptive cruise control had turned off completely abs light comes on and off frequently,
NHTSA complaint #11491361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yuba City, CA
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
This truck was breaking automatically, and no one was front of the truck, it was scary, I almost crashed with loaded trailer on my back, it has done it multiple times, and my traction light and stability light is on all the time and adaptive cruise control had turned off completely abs light comes on and off frequently,
NHTSA complaint #11491361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,000 milesMatthews, NC
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON SUNDAY, THE 22ND OF MARCH, I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON US HWY 45. THE SKY WAS CLEARING AND THE ROAD WAS DRY. I HAD MY CRUISE SET TO 65 MPH. AS I APPROACHED AN OVERPASS, THE DISTANCE SENSOR ON THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK MISTOOK THE SHADOW OF THE OVERPASS AS A STOPPED VEHICLE. WARNING LIGHTS AND BUZZERS WENT OFF AND THE VEHICLE DID A HARD BRAKE. LUCKILY, THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND ME. I TOOK IT TO OUR SHOP AND THE SYSTEM WAS CLEANED. FOUR DAYS LATER, THE SENSOR MISTOOK AN OVERHEAD INTERSTATE SIGN FOR A STOPPED VEHICLE. AGAIN, THE WARNING LIGHTS AND BUZZERS AND A HARD BRAKE. KENWORTH TECHS WERE SENT OUT TO OUR SHOP TO MAKE REPAIRS. EVERY ONE OF OUR DRIVERS THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS IS DANGEROUS. IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN FOLLOWING ME, THEY WOULD HAVE REAR-ENDED MY TRAILER.
NHTSA complaint #11320219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,000 milesMatthews, NC
SERVICE BRAKES
ON SUNDAY, THE 22ND OF MARCH, I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON US HWY 45. THE SKY WAS CLEARING AND THE ROAD WAS DRY. I HAD MY CRUISE SET TO 65 MPH. AS I APPROACHED AN OVERPASS, THE DISTANCE SENSOR ON THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK MISTOOK THE SHADOW OF THE OVERPASS AS A STOPPED VEHICLE. WARNING LIGHTS AND BUZZERS WENT OFF AND THE VEHICLE DID A HARD BRAKE. LUCKILY, THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND ME. I TOOK IT TO OUR SHOP AND THE SYSTEM WAS CLEANED. FOUR DAYS LATER, THE SENSOR MISTOOK AN OVERHEAD INTERSTATE SIGN FOR A STOPPED VEHICLE. AGAIN, THE WARNING LIGHTS AND BUZZERS AND A HARD BRAKE. KENWORTH TECHS WERE SENT OUT TO OUR SHOP TO MAKE REPAIRS. EVERY ONE OF OUR DRIVERS THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS IS DANGEROUS. IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN FOLLOWING ME, THEY WOULD HAVE REAR-ENDED MY TRAILER.
NHTSA complaint #11320219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.