Recall 15V196 affects 24 2015-2016 Kenworth T680 and T880 trucks for inadequate rear axle lubrication. Repair is free at any franchised Kenworth dealer.
Kenworth is recalling 24 2015-2016 T680 and T880 trucks because Meritor rear drive axles can send too little lubricant to the wheel end hub assembly. The lack of lubrication can lead to premature bearing failure and increase the risk of a wheel-end fire or crash; the Kenworth dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The rear drive axle on 2015-2016 Kenworth T680 and T880 trucks sends engine power to the rear wheels. Inside that axle, lubricant flows through the housing and into the wheel end hub assembly, the area where the wheel bearings support the rotating wheel end. That lubricant keeps the bearings coated, cool, and protected under load.
On the affected trucks, the Meritor MT-40-14X rear drive axle was built with an incorrect axle housing configuration. Because of that configuration, lubricant does not reach the wheel end hub assembly in the intended amount. With too little lubricant reaching the hub, the wheel end bearings lose the oil film they need while the truck is moving.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver should not rely on noise, vibration, or a dashboard message to confirm the problem before arranging the recall repair.
Who's affected?
Covers T680 and T880 trucks across the 2015 and 2016 model years, with the drive axle listed for each year and model.
| 2015 Kenworth T680 | drive axle |
|---|---|
| 2015 Kenworth T880 | drive axle |
| 2016 Kenworth T680 | drive axle |
| 2016 Kenworth T880 | drive axle |
| Units affected | 24 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 24 field incidents to date. |
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?
Poor lubrication in the wheel end hub assembly can cause early bearing failure. That failure increases the risk of a wheel-end fire or crash, so schedule the recall work promptly and limit use until a Kenworth dealer checks it. Repair will be free at any franchised Kenworth dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2016 Kenworth T680 or T880 is included in this recall.
- Wait for Kenworth repair instructions before arranging dealer work, unless Kenworth customer service or a franchised Kenworth dealer confirms the repair is open for your VIN.
- Contact a franchised Kenworth dealer about the free rear-drive-axle replacement and wheel-end inspection that addresses inadequate hub lubrication.
- Bring the owner notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 15V196 when you call.
- Limit driving until the axle repair is complete, since inadequate wheel-end lubrication can lead to bearing failure, fire, or crash risk.
What happens at the repair
Because this campaign is listed with a remedy under development, confirm availability before scheduling service. Once the dealer repair is open for your VIN, a Kenworth technician replaces the defective rear drive axle, inspects the wheel ends for damage, and replaces damaged wheel-end parts when required. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Ask the service desk whether the inspection and axle replacement can be handled in one visit.
Timeline
| April 3, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 29, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V196?
Recall 15V196 covers 24 2015-2016 Kenworth T680 and T880 trucks with Meritor MT-40-14X rear drive axles. The axle can circulate too little lubricant to the wheel-end hub assembly, which can lead to premature bearing failure and increase the risk of a wheel-end fire or crash.
What should I do if my 2015-2016 Kenworth T680 or T880 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 15V196. If it is, contact a franchised Kenworth dealer and reference recall number 15V196 or Kenworth number 15KWB. The dealer will replace the defective rear drive axle and inspect the wheel ends for damage.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to complete the recall repair at no cost. Kenworth dealers will replace the defective rear drive axle and inspect the wheel ends, replacing damaged wheel-end parts as needed, free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is premature wheel-end bearing failure. Without enough lubricant reaching the wheel-end hub assembly, the bearings can fail early and increase the risk of a wheel-end fire or crash. Confirm your VIN, then arrange the free Kenworth dealer repair.
What if I bought my Kenworth T680 or T880 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your truck is included, then call a franchised Kenworth dealer with recall number 15V196 or Kenworth number 15KWB.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V196000 |
|---|---|
| Kenworth customer service | 1-425-828-5000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V196 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V196000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →