AI Damage2018 Kenworth C500: common problems
The maker issued 18 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 18
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Seat belts | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Comparison
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- "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…
- The attached procedures document has been updated with more detail and explanations
This is not a stand-alone procedure. Cummins Quickserve troubleshooting will specify the use of these procedures while troubleshooting specific fault codes.
- Procedure pictures updated for clarity
When troubleshooting Cummins X15 fault codes 555 or 556, follow this additional testing, inspection, and documentation procedure to help identify the root cause of dusted engines. This is not a stand-alone process but…
- SAFETY RECALL Additional chassis have been included
The chassis list has been updated. Certain T370 / T440 / T470 / T480 / T660 / T680 / T800 / T880 / W900 / C500 chassis may be equipped with air tank reservoirs that have less than twelve times the combined volume of…
- Certain C500/T440/T470/T660/T680/T800/T880/W900 chassis may have air tank reservoirs that do not meet air…
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 âÂÂAir Brake SystemsâÂÂ. This bulletin will be updated when repair…
- Safety Recall Repair parts and procedures are now available
On certain Kenworth model years 2018 through 2024 C500/T660/T800/W900 trucks with Sears Atlas 70 or 80 series seats, a spacer was installed on the seatbelt mounting assembly. In a severe collision, the ICP bar may…
- Safety Recall Interim Notification On certain Kenworth model year 2018 through 2024 C500/T660/T800/W900…
Safety Recall Interim Notification On certain Kenworth model year 2018 through 2024 C500/T660/T800/W900 trucks with Sears Atlas 70 or 80 series seats, an additional spacer was installed on the seatbelt mounting…
- Certain chassis with Engine Model Year 2016-2021 PACCAR MX-11/MX-13, or EPA13 and EPA21 Cummins…
Certain chassis with Engine Model Year 2016-2021 PACCAR MX-11/MX-13, or EPA13 and EPA21 Cummins ISX12/ISX15/X15 engines that had a previously failed DEF sensor and with DEF sensor software disabled due to industry DEF…
- Info Only - PACCAR is introducing Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates for engine MY17 and newer chassis…
Info Only - PACCAR is introducing Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates for engine MY17 and newer chassis equipped with Cummins X15, X12, ISX12, ISX12N, L9N, PX-7, and PX-9 engines The technology will leverage the…
- Fix-As-Fail â Due to undersupply issues, only a limited supply of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) sensors are…
Fix-As-Fail â Due to undersupply issues, only a limited supply of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) sensors are available. As a temporary solution, after PACCAR confirms a DEF sensor is not available, a temporary software…
- Information Only â Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate
Washer pumps may fail to spray due to a clogged filter.
- Fix-As-Fail - Prior versions of Eaton Endurant transmission software may be prone to setting Linear Clutch…
Fix-As-Fail - Prior versions of Eaton Endurant transmission software may be prone to setting Linear Clutch Actuator (LCA) fault codes leading to possible LCA hardware replacement.
NHTSA lists 18 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Kenworth C500?
There are no owner complaints in the NHTSA data for this year; the data comes from 18 manufacturer service bulletins.
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Kenworth C500?
NHTSA lists 18 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Kenworth C500 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.