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Kenworth T800 — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Kenworth T800 model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
39
Years to Avoid
2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007
Best Years
2025, 2023, 2022, 2021, 1993, 1992, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987
2025Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls4 TSBs
2024
0 complaints4 recalls7 TSBs
2023Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
2022Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls2 TSBs
2021Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls2 TSBs
2020
0 complaints9 recalls25 TSBs
2019
0 complaints8 recalls30 TSBs
2018
1 complaints11 recalls31 TSBs
2017
0 complaints8 recalls30 TSBs
2016
1 complaints12 recalls29 TSBs
2015
0 complaints12 recalls24 TSBs
2014
0 complaints12 recalls23 TSBs
2013
0 complaints8 recalls21 TSBs
2012
1 complaints10 recalls31 TSBs
2011Avoid
1 complaints13 recalls51 TSBs
2010Avoid
1 complaints11 recalls58 TSBs
2009Avoid
2 complaints19 recalls1 invest.33 TSBs
2008Avoid
2 complaints25 recalls2 invest.31 TSBs
2007Avoid
1 complaints21 recalls3 invest.32 TSBs
2006
4 complaints13 recalls2 invest.23 TSBs
2005
6 complaints12 recalls1 invest.21 TSBs
2004
3 complaints12 recalls14 TSBs
2003
1 complaints7 recalls11 TSBs
2002
0 complaints6 recalls10 TSBs
2001
1 complaints10 recalls9 TSBs
2000
6 complaints10 recalls10 TSBs
1999
4 complaints12 recalls9 TSBs
1998
1 complaints8 recalls9 TSBs
1997
8 complaints9 recalls9 TSBs
1996
1 complaints8 recalls8 TSBs
1995
2 complaints5 recalls6 TSBs
1994
2 complaints3 recalls5 TSBs
1993Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls2 TSBs
1992Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls2 TSBs
1991
0 complaints4 recalls2 TSBs
1990Best Year
0 complaints3 recalls2 TSBs
1989Best Year
0 complaints3 recalls2 TSBs
1988Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls2 TSBs
1987Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls2 TSBs

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 T800 Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 Kenworth T800 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 T800, consider the 2025, 2023, 2022, 2021, 1993, 1992, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

39 model years analyzed