Power train: axle hubs (Peterbilt and Kenworth)
Vehicle recall 03V-288. NHTSA received PACCAR INCORPORATED’s report on Aug 6, 2003.
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The short answer
NHTSA received PACCAR INCORPORATED’s report on Aug 6, 2003. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 26, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
FAILURE TO PROPERLY ENGAGE THE LOCKING FEATURE INTO THE NUT COULD CAUSE THE NUT TO LOOSEN WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE WHEEL BEARING TO OVER HEAT AND FAIL IF UNDETECTED. IF THE LOOSE NUT IS NOT DETECTED, THE OUTER END (TIRE, WHEEL AND HUB ASSEMBLY) COULD BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, THE LOCKING TAB THAT LOCKS THE OUTER SPINDLE NUT ONTO THE SPINDLE WAS NOT ENGAGED OR PROPERLY BENT OVER.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Power train: axle hubs.
What should you do?
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HUBS TO DETERMINE IF THE LOCKING TABS ARE PROPERLY BENT. IF THE LOCKING TABS ARE NOT BENT, THEN DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE APPROPRIATE COMPONENTS FOR PREMATURE WEAR AND REPLACE SUCH COMPONENTS AS REQUIRED AND PROPERLY SECURE THE RETAINING NUT BY BENDING OVER THE LOCKING TAB. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 17, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440 OR PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: KENWORTH RECALL NO. 03KW8/PETERBILT RECALL NO. 803-D.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 132 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- Peterbilt 379and 2003, before the model years listed here
- Peterbilt 330and 2003, before the model years listed here
- Kenworth T300and 2003, before the model years listed here
- Peterbilt 357and 2003, before the model years listed here
- Peterbilt 385and 2003, before the model years listed here
- Peterbilt 378and 2003, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by PACCAR INCORPORATED.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 26, 2026 and checked Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 26, 2026.