Kenworth Recalls Nearly 14,000 Trucks for Dash Display Failure — What You Need to Know

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

📉 Dashboard Go Dark? That Ain’t Good...

Kenworth just hit the brakes on a big chunk of their recent fleet — nearly 14,000 trucks built between 2024 and 2026 — because your instrument panel (yep, the one showing your speed, fuel, warnings, everything) might just go dark.

That’s not just annoying.
That’s dangerous.

Imagine flying down I-80 in a brand new T680 and — boom — your dash goes black like someone pulled the plug on your rig’s brain.

This recall is no joke, and it covers T680s, T880s, and W990s — the big dogs of the Kenworth family.

Here’s the Problem:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued the notice saying the digital instrument panel may fail to initialize when you start the truck.

Translation? You turn the key and… nothing. No speedometer. No gauges. No idiot lights.
You're flying blind in an 80,000-lb rig.

➡️ A total of 13,799 trucks are affected.
➡️ Model years: 2024, 2025, and 2026.
➡️ Models: Kenworth T680, T880, and W990.

According to the recall, this could violate Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 101 for controls and displays), and we all know when it comes to safety regs, the feds don’t play around.

Why It Matters to You (Even If You Don’t Drive a Kenworth)

🧠 Safety first – A blank dash at startup might not seem like a big deal... until you don’t see an engine warning, you’re speeding in a construction zone, or you run out of DEF and don’t know it.

🧾 CSA headaches – If your dash fails and you're stopped for an inspection, guess what? That’s on you, not the manufacturer. One more point on your score.

💸 Lost time = lost money – Dealerships are gonna get backed up fast, and if your truck is one of the affected models, you might be parked longer than you'd like.

🔧 Owner-ops beware – If you financed a shiny new W990, this recall might be your first lesson in how tech-heavy trucks can come back to bite you.

How Kenworth Is Responding:

✔️ They’ve issued a recall notice
Owners will get mailed instructions and can contact dealers for a fix.

✔️ Dealers will update the software
A software update is expected to resolve the issue — no hardware swaps for now.

✔️ It’s covered under warranty
So at least you won’t be paying out of pocket (unless your downtime costs you a week's worth of hauls).

Multiple Perspectives:

🔧 Techs say:
“This is what happens when truck makers pack in too much tech without enough real-world testing. They’re rushing these features to market.”

👨‍✈️ Fleet managers say:
“We’re checking every unit before dispatch. Can’t afford to risk driver safety — or FMCSA violations.”

🚛 Drivers say:
“Why do I need a tablet-sized screen just to know I’m low on DEF? Give me my old-school analog gauges back.”

📉 Industry watchers say:
“This won’t hurt Kenworth long-term, but it’s another reminder that digital dashboards aren’t always a smart upgrade.”

Bottom Line:

Kenworth builds great trucks. But this recall? It’s a wake-up call.
As trucks get more high-tech, the risks grow right along with the bells and whistles.

So whether you drive a brand-new W990 or an old-school W900, keep your eyes open, check your systems, and don’t ignore recall notices.

That fancy digital dash might look cool — until it leaves you blind at 70 mph in the rain.

🚨 Final Word:

If your truck is affected, don’t wait for the system to crash on you.
Get it fixed. Protect your license, your rig, and your bank account.

And if you’re gettin’ tired of trucks packed with fragile tech, maybe it’s time to start thinkin’ about your exit plan…

🚀 Call to Action:

👉 Learn how to build income outside the cab at RetireFromTrucking.com

👉 Need tools, advice, or beginner trucking info? Hit LifeAsATrucker.com

👉 Don’t wait until tech issues or burnout force your hand — make your move while you're still in control