Recall 19V176 affects 93 2020 Kenworth T680, T800, T880, W900 and W990 trucks for dry rear axles. Free repair at any franchised Kenworth dealer.
Kenworth is recalling 93 2020 T680, T800, T880, W900, and W990 trucks because the rear axles were built without lubricating oil. Without that oil, bearings, hubs, and axle shafts can wear until a wheel end separates from the axle, increasing crash risk, and Kenworth dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
On the 2020 Kenworth T680, T800, T880, W900, and W990, the rear axle supports the rear wheel ends and lets the wheels turn under load. Axle oil coats the bearings and other metal parts inside the axle so they do not run dry, overheat, or grind themselves apart.
On these trucks, the axle oil fill step was missed during production. A broken oil-fill machine forced a hand-fill process, and printed fill labels made workers believe the axles had already been filled. That left the recalled rear axles with no oil.
With no oil, the wheel-end parts run dry and can be damaged quickly once the truck moves. The wheel, tire, hub, and axle parts can separate from the truck if the dry axle fails. There is no warning sign before failure.
Who's affected?
Spans five Kenworth truck models tied to the same rear suspension assembly.
| 2020 Kenworth T680 | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2020 Kenworth T800 | rear suspension |
| 2020 Kenworth T880 | rear suspension |
| 2020 Kenworth W900 | rear suspension |
| 2020 Kenworth W990 | rear suspension |
| Units affected | 93 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
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?
Missing lubricating oil lets rear axle bearings, hubs, and axle shafts wear. That wear can separate a wheel end from the axle and increase crash risk. Until the truck is inspected, drive cautiously and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Kenworth dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020 Kenworth T680, T800, T880, W900, or W990 is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Kenworth dealer to schedule the free rear-axle oil inspection and repair.
- Ask the dealer to inspect the rear axles for oil and check the bearings, hubs, and axle shafts for oil-starved wear before the truck stays in service.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. Reference recall number 19V176 when you call.
- Avoid unnecessary trips until the rear axles are inspected and filled with oil.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kenworth technician inspects the rear axles for oil. If an axle has no oil, the technician removes the wheel ends and checks the bearings, hub, and axle shaft for damage. Any components with excessive wear or heat damage are replaced, then oil is added to the axle specification. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Kenworth's reimbursement plan covers documented related repairs paid before the recall notice. Bring documentation to the service desk and ask how to submit it.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 5, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 16, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 26, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| April 26, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 26, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V176?
Recall 19V176 covers 93 2020 Kenworth T680, T800, T880, W900 and W990 trucks whose rear axles were built without oil. Without lubrication, the wheel-end parts can wear until a wheel end separates from the axle, increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2020 Kenworth T680, T800, T880, W900 or W990 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 19V176. If it is, contact a franchised Kenworth dealer to schedule the rear-axle inspection. Reference recall 19V176 or 19KWA when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Kenworth dealers will inspect the rear axles, add oil to specification, and replace damaged wheel-end parts free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is wheel-end separation from the rear axle. If the axle lacks lubricating oil, the bearings, hub, and axle shafts can wear. That separation increases crash risk, so confirm your VIN and schedule the free Kenworth dealer inspection if your truck is included.
When did Kenworth start this recall repair?
The recall repair began April 16, 2019. The remedy is available through franchised Kenworth dealers, who inspect the rear axles for oil, check wheel-end parts for damage if oil is missing, replace damaged parts, and add oil to the axle specification.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V176000 |
|---|---|
| Kenworth customer service | 1-425-828-5888 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V176 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V176000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (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 May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →