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Campaign 15V271 Posted May 8, 2015 104,807 units

2011-2016 Kenworth Trucks Recall 15V271: Wiper Motor

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published June 1, 2026

Recall 15V271 covers 104,807 2011-2016 Kenworth trucks for water entering the wiper motor. Repair will be free at any franchised Kenworth dealer once available.

Kenworth is recalling 104,807 2011-2016 trucks under recall 15V271, including T270, T370, T800, W900, and 963 models, because water can leak into the wiper motor. The leak can stop intermittent wiper operation, reduce visibility, and lead to corrosion and an electrical short; the Kenworth dealer repair will be free once available.

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What's wrong?

The windshield wiper motor on these 2011-2016 Kenworth trucks is the electric unit that moves the wiper arms across the glass. It receives power from the wiper switch, turns that power into motion, and keeps the blades moving so the driver can see in rain, spray, or road grime.

On affected trucks, water gets into the wiper motor assembly. The sealing system does not keep moisture out because of voids in the potting material, poor adhesion around the wires and motor head case, and gasket shrinkage at the motor head seal. Moisture then leads to corrosion inside the motor. That corrosion can disrupt electrical paths, make the wipers run without a command, create heat, produce smoke, and start a fire in the engine compartment.

Before failure, the warning sign is tied to the intermittent wiper setting. When the wipers are set to intermittent, they can stop working or act erratically.

Who's affected?

This spans multiple Kenworth truck lines, and every listed configuration is tied to the same wiper system component.

2011 Kenworth 963 wiper system
2012 Kenworth 963 wiper system
2013 Kenworth 963 wiper system
2015 Kenworth 963 wiper system
2016 Kenworth 963 wiper system
Units affected104,807
Field incidentsNHTSA has logged 3 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?

Water entering the wiper system can stop intermittent wiper operation, reducing visibility and increasing crash risk. Erratic intermittent operation is the warning sign to take seriously; use extra caution in rain and call the dealer for guidance. Corrosion from the leak can also create an electrical short and fire risk. Repair will be free at any franchised Kenworth dealer once available.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2016 Kenworth 963, T470, T440, T370, T270, C550, C540, T660, T800, C500, or W900 is included in this recall.
  2. Contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000 for current repair instructions before you rely on intermittent wiper operation.
  3. Reference recall number 15V271 when you call Kenworth or speak with a franchised Kenworth dealer.
  4. Bring the owner notice dated September 2, 2015, if you have it.
  5. Avoid driving in rain or poor visibility until Kenworth confirms the wiper-motor repair path for your truck.

What happens at the repair

Kenworth has not listed a final dealer procedure in this input. The known issue is water leaking into the wiper motor, and PACCAR was still developing and testing the remedy. Once Kenworth makes the final remedy available, a Kenworth technician will perform the approved wiper motor repair at no charge. Kenworth has a general reimbursement plan on file. If you already paid for a related wiper motor repair before the recall notice, keep your repair order and payment documentation and ask Kenworth customer service how to submit it under that plan.

ReimbursementReimbursement available

Timeline

May 8, 2015 NHTSA published the recall
September 2, 2015 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 15V271?

Recall 15V271 covers 104,807 2011-2016 Kenworth 963, T470, T440, T370, T270, C550, C540, T660, T800, C500, and W900 trucks with wiper motors that can let water in. The wipers can lose intermittent operation, and corrosion can create an electrical short and fire risk.

What should I do if my 2011-2016 Kenworth truck is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 15V271. If it is, call a franchised Kenworth dealer and ask for the current wiper motor recall instructions. Reference recall number 15V271 and Kenworth recall number 15KWF when you call.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the recall defect at no cost. For recall 15V271, ask a franchised Kenworth dealer what remedy applies to your VIN and confirm that parts and labor are covered before the service visit.

What is the safety risk?

The safety risk is reduced visibility and fire risk. Water entering the wiper motor can stop the intermittent wiper setting from working, which reduces the driver's view in wet conditions. Over time, corrosion in the motor can also create an electrical short.

What if I bought the Kenworth truck used?

The free recall repair still applies to used trucks. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Kenworth dealer with recall number 15V271 and ask whether your specific truck still needs the wiper motor remedy.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V271000
Kenworth customer service1-425-828-5000
NHTSA recall #15V271
NHTSA recall # (full)15V271000

Source documents

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 →