Recall 18V308 affects 14 2018 Kenworth T270 trucks for an incorrectly installed front hub spindle nut. Repair is free at any franchised Kenworth dealer.
Kenworth is recalling 14 2018 T270 trucks because the outer spindle nut in the front wheel hub assembly was incorrectly installed, leading to front wheel bearing failure. A failed bearing can let the front wheel separate and increase crash risk; Kenworth dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front wheel hub assembly on the 2018 Kenworth T270 supports the front wheel and lets it rotate around the axle. Inside that assembly, wheel bearings carry the load, and the outer spindle nut helps hold the bearing and hub stack in the correct position. That nut has to be installed correctly so the bearing is clamped, aligned, and able to turn without excess play.
On the affected trucks, a parts shortage led the plant to rework some front hub assemblies away from the normal line process. During that rework, the outer spindle nut was installed incorrectly. With the nut in the wrong position, the bearing can fail, and the front wheel hub assembly can loosen enough for a wheel separation.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or driver should not count on noise, vibration, or steering feel to appear before the hub problem becomes serious.
Who's affected?
Both listed components point to wheel hub hardware rather than separate vehicle systems.
| 2018 Kenworth T270 | wheel hardware |
|---|---|
| 2018 Kenworth T270 | front suspension |
| Units affected | 14 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
A front wheel bearing failure can let the front wheel separate from the truck, increasing the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule the dealer inspection and correction soon and limit driving until the hub assembly has been checked. Repair is free at any franchised Kenworth dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Kenworth T270 is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Kenworth dealer to schedule the free front wheel hub inspection and correction that fixes the incorrectly installed spindle nut tied to bearing failure and wheel separation.
- Bring the recall notice if Kenworth sent one. If not, reference recall number 18V308 when you call.
- Call Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000 with questions about scheduling or repair completion.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kenworth technician inspects the front wheel hub assembly and checks the outer spindle nut installation. If the nut was installed incorrectly, the technician corrects the hub assembly installation to address the bearing failure concern. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Ask the service desk to confirm that the installation correction is complete on your 2018 T270 before the truck returns to service.
Timeline
| April 26, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| May 11, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V308?
Recall 18V308 covers 14 2018 Kenworth T270 trucks with a front wheel hub assembly issue. The outer spindle nut was installed incorrectly, which can cause front wheel bearing failure and front wheel separation. Kenworth dealers inspected the hub assembly and corrected the installation for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Kenworth T270 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 18V308. If it is, contact a franchised Kenworth dealer to confirm the hub assembly was inspected and corrected. Reference recall 18V308 or Kenworth recall number 18KWB when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to perform the recall repair at no cost. Kenworth dealers inspected the front hub assembly and corrected the spindle nut installation free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is front wheel bearing failure that can lead to front wheel separation, increasing crash risk. If your VIN is included, ask a Kenworth dealer whether the hub assembly repair is already complete before putting the truck back into regular service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V308000 |
|---|---|
| Kenworth customer service | 1-425-828-5000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V308 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V308000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →