2013 Kenworth T880 problems, complaints & recalls
Safety recalls (7)
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2020-04-06 · campaign 20V199000 · 460,515 vehicles
Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2008-2019 Peterbilt 330, 335, 337, 340, 348, 365, 367, 384, 386, 387, 388, 389, 567, 579 and 587 vehicles and 2008-2020 Kenworth T170, T270, T370, T660, T680, T800, T880, and W900 vehicles equipped with NAMUX Software. In the event that the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) loses battery and/or ignition power to the controller, the dash warning light for the ABS may not illuminate to warn the driver of the loss of ABS. As such, these vehicles fail
Risk: If the driver unknowingly operates the vehicle without the ABS functioning, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will update the NAMUX software within the cab control module, free of charge. PACCAR issued owners an interim notification on June 4, 2020. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 20pbc AND 20KWB.
Exterior Lighting 2018-11-16 · campaign 18V816000 · 1,619 vehicles
Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Kenworth T680 and T880 and Peterbilt 579 trucks, greater than 30 feet long and equipped with side extender mounted intermediate marker lamp/turn signals that do not include a reflex reflector. Since both intermediate side marker lamps and reflex reflectors are required, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Missing reflex reflectors can reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: PACCAR will notify owners and dealers will install reflex reflective tape, free of charge. The recall began January 15, 2019. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-918-259-3258. PACCAR's number for this recall is 18KWF, and 18PBC.
Exterior Lighting 2017-07-25 · campaign 17V471000 · 5,731 vehicles
Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Peterbilt 567 and 579 Kenworth T680 and T880 trucks equipped with optional spotlights. The spotlight circuit may not be adequately protected in the event of a short.
Risk: A short in the spotlight circuitry may increase the risk of a fire at the cab fuse block.
Fix: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will change the polyfuse switch in the spotlight circuit to a standard fuse, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2017. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 17KWC and 717-B.
Service Brakes, Air 2017-05-16 · campaign 17V322000 · 23 vehicles
Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Kenworth T800 and T880 vehicles equipped with Neway ADZ tridem rear suspensions. The brake control airline may be the incorrect size, resulting in an imbalance in the service brake application timing. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air brake systems."
Risk: An incorrectly sized airline may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kenworth will notify owners, and dealers will modify the air brake system with updated brake piping, free of charge. The recall began on June 21, 2017. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000. PACCAR's number for this recall is 17KWB.
Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights 2015-07-22 · campaign 15V458000 · 12,551 vehicles
Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Kenworth T440, T470, T660, T680, and T880 trucks manufactured January 14, 2010, to May 22, 2015, and equipped with HID Headlamps and the option for Daytime Running Lamps (DRL). The DRLs are required to deactivate when the hazard warning lights are activated, however, the DRLs on these vehicles override the hazard flashing functionality after the brake pedal is pushed for more than two seconds. Normal hazard flashing functio
Risk: If the hazard warning lamps are overridden by the DRL, oncoming vehicles may fail to be warned, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kenworth will notify owners, and dealers will update the cab controller software, free of charge. The recall began on September 167, 2015. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000. Kenworth's number for this recall is 15KWL.
Seat Belts 2013-03-13 · campaign 13V091000 · 2,509 vehicles
Defect: PACCAR is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Kenworth T680 and T880 trucks and model year 2013-2014 Peterbilt 567, 579 and 587 trucks equipped with air ride seats. The cables for anchoring the seat belt buckles of both the driver and passenger seat may fray.
Risk: In the event of a crash, a frayed seat belt could cause the belt to separate from the seat, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
Fix: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will replace both seat belt buckle assemblies, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2013. Owners may contact Kenworth at 1-425-828-5000 or Peterbilt at 1-940-591-4000.
Exterior Lighting 2013-02-13 · campaign 13V048000 · 2,019 vehicles
Defect: PACCAR is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Kenworth T680 and T880 trucks, manufactured from January 18, 2012, through February 1, 2013; and model year 2013-2014 Peterbilt 579 and 567 vehicles, manufactured from January 20, 2012, through January 31, 2013. The Exterior Lights Self-Test switch is intended to be used when the vehicle is parked. If the switch is pressed while the vehicle is in motion, the Exterior Lights Self-Test switch will cause all exterior lighting to be extinguished.
Risk: An unexpected loss of lighting during vehicle operation may reduce the driver's ability to see other vehicles, pedestrians, or objects, as well as reduce the truck's visibility to other drivers or pedestrians, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will disable the Exterior Lights Self-Test software parameter and remove the Exterior Lights Self-Test switch and install a switch plug in its place. The services will be offered free of charge. The recall began on February 28, 2013. Owners may contact Kenworth at 1-425-828-5000 or Peterbilt at 1-940-591-4000.
Service bulletins (34)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-09-11 · P001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"kenworth: dealers should check the chassis list and sir weekly for vin changes. 2 chassis added to the chassis list. peterbilt: dealers should check the chassis list and sir weekly for vin changes. 10 chassis added to the chassis list."
Electrical System 2026-05-06 · 02-177 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
troubleshooting procedures for 2.1m cab power windows are now available.
Service Brakes, Air 2024-04-09 · 24KWD · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain c500/t440/t470/t660/t680/t800/t880/w900 chassis may have air tank reservoirs that do not meet air volume requirements per fmvss/cmvss 121 ã¢ââair brake systemsã¢ââ. this bulletin will be updated when repair parts and procedures are available.
Fuel System, Other:fuel Filter 2023-02-24 · 03-087 (E295) · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain model year 2021-2024 chassis with paccar mx engines and optional fuel filter restriction virtual gauge may display incorrect restriction levels. the virtual gauge will be temporarily disabled until a revised sensor strategy is developed.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2022-08-03 · E296 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
kenworth is providing guidance for paccar mx engine composite oil pan leak troubleshooting to avoid over-repairs and to provide warrantable repair guidance. oil leaks, if not repaired, can lead to severe engine damage.
Electrical System 2021-02-25 · 32-017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
non-safety campaign â the batteries may drain quickly due to the vecu not going to sleep. updated vecu software is available to resolve the issue.
Showing the 6 most recent of 34 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
No detailed complaint narratives on file.
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.