2020 Kenworth T380: common problems
The maker issued 14 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 14
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Comparison
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
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…
- Troubleshooting procedures for 2.1m cab power windows are now available
- Bogie Crossmember Torque Value Update - Procedure has been updated to correct torque values
- Cummins TSB 210203 has been updated to remove the PACCAR suction side fuel filter part number from Table 1…
Cummins TSB 210203 has been updated to remove the PACCAR suction side fuel filter part number from Table 1 as the filter is no longer compatible.
- Certain vehicle model years 2020-2025 K270, K370, T270, T280, T370, T380, T480, T680, T880, W900 chassis…
Certain vehicle model years 2020-2025 K270, K370, T270, T280, T370, T380, T480, T680, T880, W900 chassis have updated Greenhouse Gas (GHG) labels available for installation.
- Safety Recall 23KWJ
T280/T380/T480 Delayed Trailer Brake Release T280/T380/T480 Delayed Trailer Brake Release. Safety Recall Certain T280/T380/T480 chassis built with 2.1m Medium Duty End of Frame Trailer Connections and Tractor…
- Safety Recall Interim Notification Certain T280/T380/T480 chassis built with 2.1m Medium Duty End of Frame…
Safety Recall Interim Notification Certain T280/T380/T480 chassis built with 2.1m Medium Duty End of Frame Trailer Connections may not meet the standard trailer brake release timing requirements by 0.5 seconds. A delay…
- 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 - Rear axle Quarter Fenders with less than two inches of clearance between the top of the…
Information Only - Rear axle Quarter Fenders with less than two inches of clearance between the top of the quarter fender and the bottom of the trailer/equipment are susceptible to damage. The lack of clearance could…
- âSafety Recall - Model year 2021 Cummins PX9 fuel hose assemblies may leak from the hoses between the…
âSafety Recall - Model year 2021 Cummins PX9 fuel hose assemblies may leak from the hoses between the fuel pump and the remote filter head. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of a…
NHTSA lists 14 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 2020 Kenworth T380?
There are no owner complaints in the NHTSA data for this year; the data comes from 14 manufacturer service bulletins.
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Kenworth T380?
NHTSA lists 14 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 2020 Kenworth T380 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 2020 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.