2021 Kenworth W990
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Kenworth › W990 › 2021
These records cover every 2021 Kenworth W990. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 2021 Kenworth W990. Newest first.
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Peterbilt and Kenworth vehicles, equipped with Bendix EC80 Advanced Electronic Control Units (ECU). Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. Electrical noise and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly process commands or stop functioning.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Safety systems that depend on the ECU (Automatic Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Active Cruise Control, and Collison Mitigation System) may not function properly or at all, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24KWL and 24PBL.
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Peterbilt 365, 367, 389, 535, 536, 537, 548, 567, 579, and 2021-2025 Kenworth T180, T280, T380, T480, T680, T880 and W990 trucks. The right-hand gear shifter stalk connectors may have been improperly crimped, resulting in a loss of communication.
Risk and remedy
Risk
A loss of communication between the gear shifter and the transmission may result in the vehicle becoming disabled after coming to a stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the gear shifter assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 15, 2025, then phased after that. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24PBE and 24KWE.
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Kenworth T880, W990, Peterbilt 567, 579, 389, and 2022 Peterbilt 536, 537 wrecker and auto hauler vehicles. The work brake (winch brake) may unintentionally disengage the service brakes during winching operations, causing the vehicle to roll.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 2022. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-425-828-5888 (Kenworth); or 1-940-591-4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 21KWG and 21PBM.
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Kenworth T680, T880, W990, T800, W900 and Peterbilt 579, 567, 389, 367 vehicles equipped with a Cummins X15 engine. The capscrews that attach the flywheel to the crankshaft may have been improperly torqued, allowing the flywheel to detach.
Risk and remedy
Risk
A detached flywheel can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, driveline pieces may be ejected from the engine compartment, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will properly torque the capscrews and the engine will also be inspected for damage and, if necessary, repaired, free of charge. The recall began on March 29, 2021. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-425-828-5888 (Kenworth) or 1-940-591-4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 21KWA and 21PBB.
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Peterbilt 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, 567 and Kenworth T800, T880, W900, W990 vehicles equipped with Watson and Chalin steerable lift axle suspension systems (model SL2065). The axles may have lower rear pivot bolts that are not long enough to sufficiently engage the locking feature of the…
Risk and remedy
Risk
The short screws can cause the hardware to separate from the suspension system and become road hazards, increasing the risk of a crash and/or injury.
Remedy
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect suspect chassis and replace the pivot bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2020. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall is 20PBE and 20KWC.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10252589Safety Recall INTERIM NOTIFICATION Parts are not currently available for this safety recall. This bulletin will be updated once repair parts are available. The right-hand shift stalk may have an improper wire harness terminal crimp within the wire harness connector. Loss of communication between the right-hand shift stalk and the transmission may result in the vehicle becoming disabled after it comes to a stop thereby increasing the risk of crash or injury. A transmission fault will appear on the dash display if communication is lost.
- 10244489PACCAR MX-11 & MX-13 EPA2021 Fuel Filter Drain & Change Info Incorrect fuel filter drain and replacement procedures on EPA21 MX-11 and MX-13 engines can result in the following Debris and contaminants introduced into the high-pressure fuel system. Denial of warranty claims for injector and/or fuel system faults. Misfire, rough running, engine knock, and other associated faults and symptoms. Correct fuel filter procedures are outlined in attached service documentation.
- 10241501Certain W990 hood-mounted engine air intake covers could loosen and rattle or separate from vehicle. New air intake covers are available with improved retention. Installation of new covers requires hood modification. Procedures are available for replacement of hood-mounted engine air intake covers.
- 10241498Certain W990 chassis may have hood hardware that could loosen. Additionally, some chassis may have hood rests that are too rigid causing excessive noise. Hood attaching hardware and hood rests will be replaced as necessary.
- 10238389FIX-AS-FAIL Updated procedures and claim filing information. EPA2021 injector cleaning is referenced in RMI for certain injector faults. Complete the procedures in E290. Refer to E300 for in-tank additive information
- 10238382Certain 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 sensor shortages will now be able to receive a replacement DEF sensor, DEF tank heater coolant control valve, and re-enabled DEF diagnostic software. Please note that chassis equipped with PACCAR PX engines will be eligible for this repair at a future date when software is available.
- 10233554FIX-AS-FAIL Updated procedures and claim filing information. EPA2021 injector cleaning is referenced in RMI for certain injector faults. Complete the procedures in E290. Refer to E300 for in-tank additive information
- 10233553PACCAR will reimburse customers for the local purchase of in-tank fuel additive for EPA2021 compliant MX engines. This is a one-time reimbursement. Only customers who have received E290 injector cleaning qualify for this reimbursement. See bulletin for limits and purchase tracking requirements.
- 10232496Certain 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.
- 10231101This campaign is the final opportunity to replace the oil filter screw cap to reduce occurrences of broken bypass valve tabs. Broken oil valve tabs can cause oil flow obstruction to critical engine parts, resulting in serious engine damage. Customers that do not receive this repair may be responsible for progressive engine damage caused by broken oil bypass valve tabs.
- 10225578Info 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 existing Remote Diagnostic cs hardware to deliver secure software updates remotely. This will reduce downtime and save on maintenance costs for eligible vehicles.
- 10218895Kenworth 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.
- 10213089Safety Recall Interim Notification - The Dana D-Series front axle steer arm fasteners that attach the steer arm to the steering knuckle may fail, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Repair information will be added when a repair procedure and parts are available.
- 10209715Engine Model Year 2021B and later PACCAR MX-11 and MX-13 Fuel Injector Adjustment During First C Service
- 10208770Due to major data carriers phasing out 3G networks, chassis currently utilizing first generation Peoplenet Mobile Gateway (PMG001) will experience severe 3G service degradation as early as January of 2022. Chassis currently utilizing 3G antennas as a primary antenna may experience this degradation
- 10206079Non-Safety Campaign: Certain DC tools were incorrectly calibrated. The resulting torque issue could affect the EPA21 MX-11 and MX-13 Oil Pan and/or the Exhaust Manifold.
- 10206066Information Only: Due to differences between the PACCAR MX-11 or MX-13 2021A and 2021B engines, technicians must be able to identify which of these engines are in a chassis.
- 10201965Fix-As-Fail 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 update will allow a vehicle to continue operation with a failed DEF sensor by disabling the DEF sensor diagnostics.
- 10201956Information 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 result in cracked/broken quarter fenders or complete separation if undetected or un-remedied.
- 10200930Safety Recall Interim Notification - Certain Mahle HVAC control heads may have a soldering defect which may result in inoperative HVAC controls. Inoperative HVAC defrost may reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of an accident. This bulletin will be updated when parts become available.
- 10198762Information Only C hassis equipped with MY2021 B EPA emission s standards will be shipped through atleast the end of the 2021 calendar year without particulate matter (PM) sensors installed .
- 10188550Information Only Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate. Washer pumps may fail to spray due to a clogged filter.
- 10188467Non-Safety Campaign The batteries may drain quickly due to the VECU not going to sleep. Updated VECU software is available to resolve the issue.
- 10182216Fix-As-Fail The Battery Management System (BMS) may report the incorrect battery condition. Additional diagnostics are available to correctly determine and repair the root cause of the issue.
- 10182207PACCAR has determined that all Set Forward Front Axle (SFFA) models with the PACCAR 20K front steer axle and wide-based tires have the potential to experience a shimmy or shake in the front axle. Wide-based tires include any series tires with widths of 385 mm or higher. This is due a lack of friction in the current axle rotating components. Replacing the thrust roller bearing with a thrust washer assembly creates enough friction to eliminate the shimmy.
- 10177021Information Only: This bulletin provides dealers with a battery warranty quick reference guide to ensure the appropriate tests for battery warranty are performed in order to prevent battery warranty claims filed with incorrect or incomplete information.
- 10173205Information Only: Proper jump-starting voltage will eliminate high voltage related issues and equipment damage.
- 10172037Fix-As-Fail: The seal on T680, T880, and W990 windshields may be delaminated. Replace the windshield and encapsulated seal to resolve the issue.
- 10171021Information Only - Driver Performance Assistance (DPA) Coasting and Braking Scores Not Incrementing, Stays at 50%. The average score will never change nor create driver assistance popups based upon drivers actions. A future software update will resolve the issue. This bulletin will be updated when the software update becomes available.
Every Kenworth W990 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.