Recall 10V212 affects 10 2009-2011 Kenworth C500 trucks because the brake chamber can hit the rear hood support. Repair is free at franchised Kenworth dealers.
Kenworth recall 10V212 covers 10 2009-2011 C500 trucks because the brake chamber can contact the rear hood support during certain wheel-turn, articulation, and bump maneuvers. That contact can damage the brake chamber, causing loss of braking at the affected wheel end and increasing crash risk; the Kenworth dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The air brake chamber on a 2009-2011 Kenworth C500 is the round brake actuator near the wheel end. It uses air pressure from the brake system to push the brake linkage, which applies the drum brake. Near it, the rear hood support holds and steadies the hood structure as the truck moves.
On the recalled trucks, clearance between these parts is too tight in certain driving positions. During a sharp wheel turn, frame articulation, and a bump, the brake chamber can contact the rear hood support. That contact puts brake hardware and hood structure in the same space when they need room to move separately.
There is no warning sign before failure. The inspection point is physical contact: fresh marks, bent support hardware, or damaged brake chamber surfaces around the rear hood support.
Who's affected?
The scope is split between body structure and air-brake components for the same truck line.
| 2010 Kenworth C500 | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2010 Kenworth C500 | brake system |
| 2009 Kenworth C500 | body structure |
| 2009 Kenworth C500 | brake system |
| 2011 Kenworth C500 | body structure |
| 2011 Kenworth C500 | brake system |
| Units affected | 10 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Contact damage at the brake chamber can cause loss of braking at the affected wheel end, increasing crash risk. Treat any braking problem as a reason to stop the trip and call a Kenworth dealer before the vehicle returns to service. Repair will be free at any franchised Kenworth dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2011 Kenworth C500 is included in this recall.
- Confirm with Kenworth customer service that the free repair is open before scheduling dealer work.
- Contact a franchised Kenworth dealer and reference recall number 10V212 when you call.
- Ask the dealer about the rear-hood-support and brake-chamber repair that prevents contact during wheel turn, articulation, and bump maneuvers.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and leave extra stopping distance because the defect can reduce braking at the affected wheel end.
What happens at the repair
Kenworth's notice says the safety recall began on June 8, 2010. At the dealer, a Kenworth technician repairs the affected area where the brake chamber can contact the rear hood support during certain steering, articulation, and bump conditions. The source remedy does not identify a more specific parts procedure, but it does state that dealers repair the vehicles free of charge under campaign 10V212. Contact a Kenworth dealer with your VIN so the service desk can confirm the recall and schedule the covered repair.
Timeline
| May 18, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 8, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V212?
Recall 10V212 covers 10 2009-2011 Kenworth C500 trucks. During certain wheel-turn, articulation,, and bump combinations, the brake chamber can contact the rear hood support and become damaged. That damage can lead to loss of braking at the affected wheel end.
What should I do if my 2009-2011 Kenworth C500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 10V212. If it is, contact a franchised Kenworth dealer to schedule the repair. Reference recall number 10V212 when you call, and ask whether Kenworth phone support at 1-425-828-5440 is needed for scheduling.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform safety recall repairs at no cost, and Kenworth's remedy states that dealers will repair the affected trucks free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Kenworth dealer.
Is it safe to drive my Kenworth C500 before the repair?
The official consequence is loss of braking function at the affected wheel end, increasing crash risk. Until your VIN is checked and the repair is complete, avoid operating the truck in conditions that recreate the brake-chamber contact described in recall 10V212.
When did Kenworth start repairing recall 10V212?
Kenworth began the safety recall repair on June 8, 2010. If your VIN is included and the repair has not been completed, a franchised Kenworth dealer can handle the recall work free of charge.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V212000 |
|---|---|
| Kenworth customer service | 1-425-828-5440 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V212 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V212000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →