The defect
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 TRUCKS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A COMBINED AIR RESERVOIR VOLUME LESS THAN 12 TIMES THE COMBINED VOLUME OF ALL SERVICE BRAKE CHAMBERS.
The risk
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
The 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 AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Kenworth C500 | 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 |
| Kenworth T800 | 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 |
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenworth C500 | 1991 | 0 | 3 |
| Kenworth C500 | 1992 | 0 | 1 |
| Kenworth C500 | 1993 | 0 | 1 |
| Kenworth C500 | 1994 | 0 | 1 |
| Kenworth C500 | 1995 | 0 | 1 |
| Kenworth C500 | 1996 | 0 | 4 |
| Kenworth C500 | 1997 | 0 | 3 |
| Kenworth C500 | 1998 | 0 | 3 |
| Kenworth C500 | 1999 | 1 | 7 |
| Kenworth C500 | 2000 | 0 | 7 |
| Kenworth C500 | 2001 | 0 | 4 |
| Kenworth C500 | 2002 | 0 | 2 |
| Kenworth C500 | 2003 | 0 | 3 |
| Kenworth T800 | 1991 | 0 | 4 |
| Kenworth T800 | 1992 | 0 | 1 |
| Kenworth T800 | 1993 | 0 | 1 |
| Kenworth T800 | 1994 | 2 | 3 |
| Kenworth T800 | 1995 | 2 | 5 |
| Kenworth T800 | 1996 | 1 | 8 |
| Kenworth T800 | 1997 | 1 | 9 |
| Kenworth T800 | 1998 | 1 | 8 |
| Kenworth T800 | 1999 | 4 | 12 |
| Kenworth T800 | 2000 | 1 | 10 |
| Kenworth T800 | 2001 | 1 | 10 |
| Kenworth T800 | 2002 | 0 | 6 |
| Kenworth T800 | 2003 | 1 | 7 |
Other service brakes, air recalls in 2003
79 of the 527 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2003 concerned the service brakes, air; PACCAR INCORPORATED filed 113 campaigns in all.
| 03V518000 10 Dec 2003 | WELLCO MANUFACTURING, INC. |
| 03V501000 5 Dec 2003 | FEATHERLITE, INC. |
| 03V498000 4 Dec 2003 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 03V500000 4 Dec 2003 | FREIGHTLINER LLC |
| 03V441000 4 Nov 2003 | HACKNEY |
| 03V433000 4 Nov 2003 | HYUNDAI TRANSLEAD |
| 03V432000 4 Nov 2003 | STRICK CORPORATION |
| 03V430000 3 Nov 2003 | TRAILMOBILE CORP. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2003