Recall 15V272 affects 49 2016 Kenworth T660, T680, T880, T800, and W900 trucks with loose wheel lug nuts. Free repair at a franchised Kenworth dealer.
Kenworth is recalling 49 2016 T660, T680, T800, T880, and W900 trucks under recall 15V272 because rear wheel lug nut torque was not verified during assembly. Loose rear wheels can separate from the truck and raise crash risk; Kenworth dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear wheel lug nuts on 2016 Kenworth T660, T680, T880, T800, and W900 trucks clamp each rear wheel tightly to the wheel hub. They are small parts, but their job is basic: hold the wheel flat against the hub so the studs, wheel, and axle carry load as designed. Correct torque is the measured tightening force that keeps those nuts secure.
On the affected trucks, the rear wheel mounting torque check was missed during assembly. The trucks were completed offline during an axle shortage, and that offline path did not send them through the normal verification step. As a result, rear lug nuts left the plant without confirmation that they were tightened to specification. Loose lug nuts let the wheel shift against the hub instead of staying clamped in place.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the lug nuts are loose, the problem is found by inspection and proper torque verification, not by a reliable driver symptom.
Who's affected?
Covers five Kenworth truck models from the 2016 model year, all tied to the same wheel fastener component.
| 2016 Kenworth T660 | wheel fastener (lug, nut, bolt, or stud) |
|---|---|
| 2016 Kenworth T680 | wheel fastener (lug, nut, bolt, or stud) |
| 2016 Kenworth T880 | wheel fastener (lug, nut, bolt, or stud) |
| 2016 Kenworth T800 | wheel fastener (lug, nut, bolt, or stud) |
| 2016 Kenworth W900 | wheel fastener (lug, nut, bolt, or stud) |
| Units affected | 49 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 9 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific truck.
What's the safety risk?
Undertorqued rear wheel lug nuts can let a rear wheel separate from the truck, increasing crash risk. Schedule the dealer inspection soon so the rear wheel lug nuts can be verified and tightened correctly. Repair is free at any franchised Kenworth dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Kenworth T660, T680, T880, T800, or W900 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Kenworth dealer to schedule the free rear wheel lug-nut torque inspection that checks for loose rear wheels.
- Bring the recall notice if Kenworth mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V272 when you call.
- Call Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000 with questions about the inspection or dealer scheduling.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kenworth technician checks the rear wheel lug nuts and verifies that they are tightened to the correct torque. This addresses trucks that missed the rear wheel mounting torque verification during assembly. The inspection and any needed tightening are free under the recall. Ask the service desk to document the torque check on the repair order so you have a clear record that the recall work was completed.
Timeline
| May 11, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 1, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V272?
Recall 15V272 covers 49 2016 Kenworth T660, T680, T800, T880, and W900 trucks whose rear wheel lug nut torque was not verified during assembly. If the lug nuts are undertorqued, a rear wheel can separate and increase crash risk.
What should I do if my 2016 Kenworth T660, T680, T800, T880, or W900 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 15V272. If it is, contact a franchised Kenworth dealer and schedule the rear wheel lug nut torque inspection. Reference recall 15V272 or Kenworth recall number 15KWG when you call.
Is the Kenworth recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Kenworth dealers will verify that the rear wheel lug nuts are correctly tightened free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 15V272?
The safety risk is rear wheel separation. If the rear wheel lug nuts are undertorqued, a wheel can separate from the truck while it is in use, increasing the risk of a crash. Schedule the free Kenworth dealer inspection once your VIN is confirmed.
When did the Kenworth recall repair start?
The recall repair began on July 1, 2015. That means the dealer remedy is available now for included trucks. Kenworth owners can call Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000 or contact a franchised Kenworth dealer for scheduling.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V272000 |
|---|---|
| Kenworth customer service | 1-425-828-5000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V272 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V272000 |
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 →