Recall 11V281 covers 3 2011-2012 Kenworth T440 tractors with a missing quick release air valve. Repair is free at any franchised Kenworth dealer.
Kenworth is recalling 3 2011-2012 T440 tractors because the quick release air valve in the full truck service brake air line gladhand connection was not installed. That missing valve can delay release of the service brake on a towed vehicle or trailer, increasing crash risk, and the Kenworth dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The air brake quick release valve on a 2011-2012 Kenworth T440 helps vent air pressure from the service brake line when the driver releases the brakes. In this recall, the part sits in the full truck service brake air line at the gladhand connection, where the tractor connects air service to a trailer. Its job is to release air quickly enough that the brake system responds within the federal timing limit.
On affected T440 tractors, the required quick release air valve was not installed. Without that valve, the service brake air line at the gladhand releases air too slowly. The filing says release timing can exceed the 0.75-second threshold by one tenth of a second, which means the brake system does not meet the air-brake standard.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue is a missing brake-system valve and a timing problem, not a part that gives the driver a clear sound, smell, light, or pedal change before the noncompliance is found.
Who's affected?
Covers the 2011 and 2012 model years, both tied to the same brake system component.
| 2011 Kenworth T440 | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2012 Kenworth T440 | brake system |
| Units affected | 3 |
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?
A delayed service brake release on a towed vehicle or trailer can leave the brake applied longer than expected and increase crash risk. If your VIN is included and the truck has not been repaired, schedule service with a Kenworth dealer before towing. Repair will be free at any franchised Kenworth dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2012 Kenworth T440 is included in this recall.
- Do not wait for an owner letter; Kenworth reported the affected trucks were repaired and no owner notification letter was issued.
- Contact a franchised Kenworth dealer if your VIN still shows an open repair, and ask for the free quick-release air-valve installation that corrects delayed release in the full truck service brake air line.
- Reference recall number 11V281 when you call the dealer.
- Drive with extra braking space until the dealer confirms the recall repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kenworth technician installs the quick release air valve in the full truck service brake air line with the gladhand connection. The valve is the missing brake air line part identified in campaign 11V281. Kenworth reported that all vehicles covered by this campaign have already been repaired, so no owner notification letter was issued. If your truck still shows this recall as open, contact a Kenworth dealer and ask the service desk to confirm the campaign status and repair record.
Timeline
| May 10, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 23, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V281?
Recall 11V281 covers 3 2011-2012 Kenworth T440 tractors missing a required quick release air valve in the full truck service brake air line gladhand connection. Kenworth dealers install that valve so the brake release timing meets the federal air brake standard.
What should I do if my 2011-2012 Kenworth T440 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific tractor is included in recall 11V281. The filing says all included vehicles were repaired, but a franchised Kenworth dealer can confirm the recall completion status and the quick release air valve installation.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 11V281, Kenworth dealers install the missing quick release air valve in the full truck service brake air line with gladhand connection for free.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is delayed release of the service brake on a towed vehicle or trailer, increasing crash risk. The issue is the missing quick release air valve in the brake air line connection. The recall repair adds that valve to correct the brake release timing.
Why didn't I get an owner letter for recall 11V281?
Kenworth did not issue owner notification letters because the filing says all included vehicles had already been repaired. The recall began on June 23, 2011. If ownership changed after that repair campaign, check your VIN and ask a Kenworth dealer to confirm completion.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V281000 |
|---|---|
| Kenworth customer service | 1-425-468-7400 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V281 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V281000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (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 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →