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Kenworth Conventional — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Kenworth Conventional model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
32
Years to Avoid
2003, 1999, 1996, 1995, 1993, 1972
Best Years
2002, 2001, 2000, 1998, 1997, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973
2003Avoid
1 complaints0 recalls5 TSBs
2002Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2001Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2000Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1999Avoid
2 complaints0 recalls5 TSBs
1998Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1997Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1996Avoid
3 complaints0 recalls4 TSBs
1995Avoid
2 complaints0 recalls2 TSBs
1994
1 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
1993Avoid
2 complaints1 recalls
1992Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1991Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1990Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1989Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1988Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1987Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1986Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1985Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1984Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1983Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1982Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1981Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1980Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1979Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1978Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1977Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1976Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1975Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1974Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1973Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1972Avoid
0 complaints1 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Kenworth Conventional Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2003, 1999, 1996, 1995, 1993, 1972 Kenworth Conventional are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Kenworth Conventional, consider the 2002, 2001, 2000, 1998, 1997, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

32 model years analyzed