Recall 11V203 affects 5,831 2007-2011 Kenworth T2000, T600, 387, T660, 388, and C500 trucks for a combustion-tube defect. Repair is free.
Kenworth is recalling 5,831 2007-2011 C500, T2000, T600, T660, 387, and 388 trucks equipped with Caterpillar C15 engines because a combustion tube weld can degrade. Heat from that failure can burn through engine bodies and raise the risk of a fire; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The Caterpillar C15 engine in affected 2007-2011 Kenworth T2000, T600, 387, T660, 388, and C500 trucks uses a combustion tube in the engine and cooling system area to manage very hot combustion flow. The weld on that tube is supposed to keep the tube fixed and keep heat directed inside the protected path, not against nearby engine body material.
In recall 11V203, that weld can degrade. When it does, heat can be pushed outward against the body instead of staying contained in the tube. That side-directed heat can burn through certain bodies used on C15 engines, damaging the engine area and creating a heat-related safety concern.
There is no warning sign before failure. If you see unusual heat damage, burning smell, or visible damage around the engine body, treat it as a service issue and have the truck inspected.
Who's affected?
Spans 6 heavy-truck models across the 2007-2011 model years, all tied to the engine and engine-cooling component.
| 2011 Kenworth T2000 | Engine and engine cooling |
|---|---|
| 2010 Kenworth T2000 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2009 Kenworth T2000 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2008 Kenworth T2000 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2011 Kenworth T600 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2007 Kenworth T2000 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2009 Kenworth T600 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2008 Kenworth T600 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2010 Peterbilt 387 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2007 Kenworth T660 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2008 Kenworth T660 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2009 Peterbilt 388 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2010 Peterbilt 388 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2007 Kenworth C500 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2007 Kenworth T600 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2010 Kenworth T600 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2011 Peterbilt 387 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2009 Peterbilt 387 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2011 Peterbilt 388 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2008 Kenworth C500 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2009 Kenworth T660 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2009 Kenworth C500 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2010 Kenworth T660 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2010 Kenworth C500 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2011 Kenworth C500 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2011 Kenworth T660 | Engine and engine cooling |
| Units affected | 5,831 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Heat can break through the combustion tube and start a fire. If your VIN is included, limit use until a dealer gives repair instructions, and call for service promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised Kenworth dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2007-2011 Kenworth C500, T2000, T600, T660, 387, or 388 truck is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Kenworth dealer and ask whether the Caterpillar C15 combustion-tube repair is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 11V203 when you call, and explain that the repair replaces the combustion tube that lets heat break through and start a fire.
- Bring the recall notice if you received one from Caterpillar or Kenworth.
- Keep the truck out of service if you see heat damage, smoke, or burning smells, and ask the dealer or Caterpillar about the safest way to move it.
What happens at the repair
At the Kenworth dealer, a Kenworth technician follows Caterpillar's remedy for the C15 engine. The repair replaces the single piece combustion tube with a thick wall combustion tube designed to stop heat from breaking through the body. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Caterpillar is handling the owner notification and remedy process for this campaign, and the Kenworth service desk can route the work through that process.
Timeline
| March 24, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 4, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V203?
Recall 11V203 covers 5,831 2007-2011 Kenworth T2000, T600, 387, T660, 388, and C500 trucks with Caterpillar C15 engines. A combustion tube weld can degrade, letting heat burn through certain engine bodies. Caterpillar will replace the combustion tube for free.
What should I do if my 2007-2011 Kenworth T2000, T600, 387, T660, 388, or C500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 11V203. If it is, contact a franchised Kenworth dealer and ask how Caterpillar is handling the combustion tube replacement. Reference recall number 11V203 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the remedy states that Caterpillar will replace the single piece combustion tube with a thick wall combustion tube free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. The recall says degradation of the combustion tube weld can allow heat to burn through certain engine bodies used with Caterpillar C15 engines. If your VIN is included, arrange the free remedy before putting the truck back into regular service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V203000 |
|---|---|
| Kenworth customer service | 1-800-447-4986 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V203 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V203000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →