The Kenworth T400 spans 1988–2005 with 13 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. It delivers competitive fuel economy and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Kenworth T400 is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1988 to 2005 across multiple generations.
How to read a Kenworth T400 VIN — every digit explained
Every Kenworth T400 carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Kenworth and the country it was built in (real Kenworth codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this T400.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- Mexico3WK · 3WM · 3XK
- USA1XK
- Canada2XK
- UKSFN
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your T400, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Kenworth T400 have?
The Kenworth T400 has 13 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1988–2005. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1997 Kenworth T400 recalls 1
Suspension:rear
What's wrong. Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with kenworth airglide 200 rear suspension. Due to materials used in the sway bar arms and studs as well as the stud plating material, stress corrosion cracking and bending fatigue can occur in the rear suspension sway bar arms and studs causing the stud to fail prematurely.
Risk. This could cause a loss of steering control increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the arm assembly manufactured from a different material. New studs will be installed with different threads and different finish.
1996 Kenworth T400 recalls 2
Suspension:rear
What's wrong. Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with kenworth airglide 200 rear suspension. Due to materials used in the sway bar arms and studs as well as the stud plating material, stress corrosion cracking and bending fatigue can occur in the rear suspension sway bar arms and studs causing the stud to fail prematurely.
Risk. This could cause a loss of steering control increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the arm assembly manufactured from a different material. New studs will be installed with different threads and different finish.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch
What's wrong. The wires that correspond to the vehicle's rear turn signals were reversed when installed in the electrical connector.
Risk. This condition will cause the rear turn signals to flash opposite from the direction intended by the driver increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
Fix. Dealers will inspect the turn signal switch and, if necessary, replace the turn signal switch.
1995 Kenworth T400 recalls 1
Suspension:rear
What's wrong. Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with kenworth airglide 200 rear suspension. Due to materials used in the sway bar arms and studs as well as the stud plating material, stress corrosion cracking and bending fatigue can occur in the rear suspension sway bar arms and studs causing the stud to fail prematurely.
Risk. This could cause a loss of steering control increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the arm assembly manufactured from a different material. New studs will be installed with different threads and different finish.
1991 Kenworth T400 recalls 2
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages
What's wrong. Sprague wiper assembly pivot can seize due to galvanic corrosion between the zinc-plated steel shaft and the bronze bushings.
Risk. This corrosion can cause wiper arm/blade assembly to stopwiping windshield, this could affect driver visibility and result in anaccident.
Fix. Replace sprague wiper assembly pivot with an assembly not susceptible to galvanic corrosion.
Service Brakes, Air
What's wrong. Air brake system was modified by adding a longer air line between the abs solenoid and the transfer tee to simplify manufacturing. This modification caused the trucks to be in non-compliance with fmvss 121, brake timing test.
Risk. The mistimed brake and abs system may cause the truck tofail the stopping distance requirement of the fmvss, which may lead to anaccident.
Fix. Remove the extra length of air line and install the transfer tee at the abs solenoid.
1990 Kenworth T400 recalls 3
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages
What's wrong. Sprague wiper assembly pivot can seize due to galvanic corrosion between the zinc-plated steel shaft and the bronze bushings.
Risk. This corrosion can cause wiper arm/blade assembly to stopwiping windshield, this could affect driver visibility and result in anaccident.
Fix. Replace sprague wiper assembly pivot with an assembly not susceptible to galvanic corrosion.
Service Brakes, Air
What's wrong. Air brake system was modified by adding a longer air line between the abs solenoid and the transfer tee to simplify manufacturing. This modification caused the trucks to be in non-compliance with fmvss 121, brake timing test.
Risk. The mistimed brake and abs system may cause the truck tofail the stopping distance requirement of the fmvss, which may lead to anaccident.
Fix. Remove the extra length of air line and install the transfer tee at the abs solenoid.
Suspension:rear
What's wrong. Rear axle stabilizer (sway) bar may not have been properly heat treated.
Fix. Replace the stabilizer bar.
1989 Kenworth T400 recalls 3
Electrical System:wiring
What's wrong. Trailer wiring harness connector could cause intermittent or total failure of trailer brake lights or all of the trailer lights.
Risk. This would affect other drivers ability to see thetrailer and could result in an accident.
Fix. Replace trailer wiring harness connector.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages
What's wrong. Sprague wiper assembly pivot can seize due to galvanic corrosion between the zinc-plated steel shaft and the bronze bushings.
Risk. This corrosion can cause wiper arm/blade assembly to stopwiping windshield, this could affect driver visibility and result in anaccident.
Fix. Replace sprague wiper assembly pivot with an assembly not susceptible to galvanic corrosion.
Suspension:rear
What's wrong. Rear axle stabilizer (sway) bar may not have been properly heat treated.
Fix. Replace the stabilizer bar.
1988 Kenworth T400 recalls 1
Electrical System:wiring
What's wrong. Trailer wiring harness connector could cause intermittent or total failure of trailer brake lights or all of the trailer lights.
Risk. This would affect other drivers ability to see thetrailer and could result in an accident.
Fix. Replace trailer wiring harness connector.
Best and worst years for the Kenworth T400
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Kenworth T400 — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common Kenworth T400 problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the Kenworth T400 — the most-reported problems will appear here once that data is in.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Kenworth T400 specifications & dimensions
The 2005 Kenworth T400. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Kenworth T400 window sticker.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Kenworth T400 cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the T400 holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Kenworth T400 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Kenworth T400 get?
MPG cache warming… reload in a moment.
What engines does the Kenworth T400 have? Power & range
Powertrain data warming… reload in a moment.
How much does a Kenworth T400 cost to own?
A Kenworth T400 holds its value well. A typical example keeps roughly 56% of its value after five years — losing about 44% to depreciation. Check what a used T400 is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 84% | $25,200 | −$4,800 |
| Year 2 | 76% | $22,800 | −$7,200 |
| Year 3 | 68% | $20,400 | −$9,600 |
| Year 4 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 5 | 56% | $16,800 | −$13,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this T400 loses about 44% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — based on EPA economy at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the T400 ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Kenworth T400 safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the T400 yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Kenworth T400 last?
A well-maintained Kenworth T400 typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Check your Kenworth T400’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this T400’s VIN free →All Kenworth T400 model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Kenworth T400 — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 T400 | 0 | — | — |
| 2004 T400 | 0 | — | — |
| 2003 T400 | 0 | — | — |
| 2002 T400 | 0 | — | — |
| 2001 T400 | 0 | — | — |
| 2000 T400 | 0 | — | — |
| 1999 T400 | 0 | — | — |
| 1998 T400 | 0 | — | — |
| 1997 T400 | 1 recall | — | — |
| 1996 T400 | 2 recalls | — | — |
| 1995 T400 | 1 recall | — | — |
| 1994 T400 | 0 | — | — |
| 1993 T400 | 0 | — | — |
| 1992 T400 | 0 | — | — |
| 1991 T400 | 2 recalls | — | — |
| 1990 T400 | 3 recalls | — | — |
| 1989 T400 | 3 recalls | — | — |
| 1988 T400 | 1 recall | — | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the T400?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Kenworth T400.
How many recalls does the T400 have?
13 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1988–2005. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
How many miles does a T400 last?
A well-maintained T400 typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the T400 reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the T400 is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Kenworth T400 warranty?
New Kenworth models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Kenworth dealer.
Where is the Kenworth T400 made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your T400's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Kenworth may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the T400 have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.