2020 Kenworth T680 problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Kenworth T680, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There are 8 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 8
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Median mileage
- 47,000 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 5 of 8 complaints (63%).
- Brakes (2) and driver assistance & safety tech (1) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 47,000 mi.
- The 2020 Kenworth T680 has 8 recalls on file.
- It ranks 5th of 11 Kenworth T680 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
2020 Kenworth T680 problems by category
- Transmission & Drivetrain5 complaints
- Brakes2 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech1 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control1 complaints
- Other / Unknown1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Power train | 5 |
| Service brakes | 2 |
| Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance: warnings | 1 |
| Unknown or other | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2020 Kenworth T680 recalls (8)
- SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:RESERVOIR/TANK
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2009-2021 Kenworth C500, 2012-2021 Kenworth T440, 2009-2015 Kenworth T660, 2015-2024 Kenworth T680, 2009-2024 Kenworth T800, 2009-2020 Kenworth T370, 2014-2023 Kenworth T880, 2011-2016 Kenworth T470, 2023 Kenworth T480, and 2009-2019 Kenworth W900 vehicles. The air tanks have an insufficient volume of air for the brake system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
Risk: Insufficient air volume can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install the correct volume air tanks, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 12, 2024. Additional owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2025. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR's number for this recall is 24KWD.
- STEERING:CRITICAL FASTENERS
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Kenworth T270, T370, T440, T470, T660, T680, T880, T800, W900, W990; and 2018-2020 Peterbilt 330, 337, 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, 567, and 579 vehicles. The Dana D-Series axle steer arm fasteners that attach the steering arm to the steering knuckle may fail.
Risk: Fastener failure can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace and torque the steer arm fasteners, at no charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2022. 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 are 22 PBB and 22 KWB.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Peterbilt 567, 579, 2021-2022 Peterbilt 536, 2017-2021 Kenworth T880, 2016-2022 Kenworth T680, 2018-2020 Kenworth T440, 2020 Kenworth T270, and 2021 Kenworth T280 vehicles. The methane detection system will not function if the system loses power.
Risk: The operator may be unaware of a system malfunction or the presence of excessive methane levels, increasing the risk of injury or fire.
Remedy: Dealers will re-wire the warning alarm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 1, 2022. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220, and Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 21KWH and 21PBN.
- SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Kenworth T680 trucks equipped with a 2.1m Cab and WABCO 6S/6M ABS brake system with drum brakes. The brake systems were manufactured with a standard rear-brake ABS modulator valve instead of a quick release valve, which may exceed the intended service-brake release timing. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
Risk: Longer than expected service-brake release timing may lengthen vehicle stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will replace the standard rear-brake, ABS modulator valve with a quick release valve, free of charge. The recall began November 30, 2020. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR's number for this recall is 20KWD.
- ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2008-2019 Peterbilt 330, 335, 337, 340, 348, 365, 367, 384, 386, 387, 388, 389, 567, 579 and 587 vehicles and 2008-2020 Kenworth T170, T270, T370, T660, T680, T800, T880, and W900 vehicles equipped with NAMUX Software. In the event that the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) loses battery and/or ignition power to the controller, the dash warning light for the ABS may not illuminate to warn the driver of the loss of ABS. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems," and 136, "Electronic Stability Control System on Heavy Vehicles."
Risk: If the driver unknowingly operates the vehicle without the ABS functioning, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will update the NAMUX software within the cab control module, free of charge. PACCAR issued owners an interim notification on June 4, 2020. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 20pbc AND 20KWB.
- VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020 Peterbilt 520 and 579 vehicles and Kenworth T680, T880 and W990 vehicles. The mirror glass may detach from the mirror carrier plate due to inadequate adhesion.
Risk: If the mirror glass detaches, the driver may have reduced visibility and the mirror glass will become a road hazard that may strike another vehicle or pedestrian, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: PACCAR has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the upper mirror glass/mirror carrier, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 31, 2019. Kenworth owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt owners may call 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall is 19KWC and 19PBC.
- PARKING BRAKE
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018-2020 T680 and T880 tandem axle vehicles equipped with a parking brake on a single axle and certain models of automated manual transmissions. During cold temperatures, the signal from the park brake pressure switch to the transmission controller may be delayed possibly resulting in the vehicle moving unexpectedly.
Risk: Unexpected vehicle movement may increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners and dealers will replace the park brake pressure switch, free of charge. PACCAR issued owners and interim notification on June 3, 2019. The recall began August 6, 2019. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-918-259-3258. PACCAR's number for this recall is 19KWB.
- SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020 Kenworth T680, T800, T880, W900 and W990 trucks. The rear axles may not contain oil.
Risk: Without lubricating oil, the bearings, hub and axle shafts may wear, resulting in the separation of a wheel end from the axle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Paccar will notify owners, and Kenworth dealers will inspect all of the rear axles for the presence of oil. If no oil is present, the wheels ends will be removed and the bearings, hub and axle shaft will be inspected for damage. If excessive wear or heat damage is evident, the components will be replaced, as necessary. Oil will then be added per the axle specifications. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2019. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888. Paccar's number for this recall is 19KWA.
Recent 2020 Kenworth T680 complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Dec 8, 2024SCTransmission & Drivetrain
Right-hand shift stalk between the shifter and the transmission is causing the vehicle to become disabled while stopped and unable to go from forward to reverse. Also getting SPN 639 pop-up when communication has been lost between the engine control module (ECM) and SAE J1939 data link. The check engine light illuminates, and the ECM immediately logs the fault code. Have to depress brake pedal while stopped & cycle gear selector to get fault to clear to start engine .…
NHTSA complaint #11629546 · source - Filed Dec 4, 2024GATransmission & Drivetrain
The clutch Spring on these trucks have been failing heavily. We have a couple more of these trucks and they all have the same issue. the housing for the clutch springs are cracked or damaged at less than 500,000 miles on a heavy duty truck. These clutches are supposed to last over 1MM miles. Its not a coincidence that every truck we have is failing at the same mileage. These clutches are made defective from the manufacturer. Its also a coincidence that the replacement…
NHTSA complaint #11628937 · source - Filed Sep 30, 2024IATransmission & Drivetrain
My circumstances are EXACTLY as described in a release 12/19/2019 Tech Service Bulletin A002 I experienced the vibration in my steering wheel that caused me to be suspect that there was something wrong in the drive train. Upon further investigation. I noticed that an oil seal was leaking, and when I dug a little deeper, I noticed gears that were broken and shaved down and then stopped at a Kenworth corporate location upon which they told me that I needed to purchase the…
NHTSA complaint #11617225 · source - Filed Jul 26, 2024GATransmission & Drivetrain
Throw out bearing failed prematurely. Truck only has 491,000 miles and has had a catastrophic failure resulting in a $29,000 repair bill. I have 4 other trucks like this and they are all showing signs of the same thing.
NHTSA complaint #11604753 · source - Filed Mar 18, 2024FLOther / Unknown
When driving, the truck will not go into gear. For example, if I am trying to shift gears in the automatic, it will stay in that gear. When traveling down the highway, it stays in a gear. I have to find a safe place to pull over and put it in neutral, then proceed. I have already changed the right hand stalk once before and it didnt go into reverse, that was the reason for changing it. I get codes saying that it needs to ve changed again and it was just recently put on.
NHTSA complaint #11577946 · source - Filed Oct 28, 2022CABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
This truck was breaking automatically, and no one was front of the truck, it was scary, I almost crashed with loaded trailer on my back, it has done it multiple times, and my traction light and stability light is on all the time and adaptive cruise control had turned off completely abs light comes on and off frequently,
NHTSA complaint #11491361 · source - Filed Apr 4, 202047,000 miNCBrakesAcceleration & Cruise Control
On sunday, the 22nd of march, i was traveling south on us hwy 45. The sky was clearing and the road was dry. I had my cruise set to 65 mph. As i approached an overpass, the distance sensor on the front of the truck mistook the shadow of the overpass as a stopped vehicle. Warning lights and buzzers went off and the vehicle did a hard brake. Luckily, there were no other vehicles around me. I took it to our shop and the system was cleaned. Four days later, the sensor mistook an…
NHTSA complaint #11320219 · source
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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology