NHTSA Complaint #10958529 — 2014 KENWORTH T680

THIS TRUCK IS A MISBUILD FROM THE FACTORY ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM PLUMBING. I AM CONCERNED OTHER UNITS MAY ALSO HAVE BEEN BUILT WRONG. THE TRACTION CONTROL LOCKS UP THE FRONT DRIVE AXLE BRAKES WHEN THE TRUCK SPINS A TIRE AND KILLS THE ENGINE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE DIFFERENTIAL AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE IDENTIFIED THAT THE SERVICE BRAKE AIR LINES ARE HOOKED UP INCORRECTLY FROM THE FACTORY, NOT GOING THROUGH THE ABS MODULATOR VALVE. THIS ALLOWS FULL BRAKE APPLICATION TO THE FRONT DRIVE AXLE SERVICE BRAKES WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGES. IT ALSO MAKES THE TRUCK SO THE ABS BRAKE FUNCTION IS NOT ABLE TO FUNCTION. WE HAVE BLOWN APART 2 FRONT DIFFERENTIAL UNITS RENDERING THE TRUCK UNABLE TO MOVE. OFTEN WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT KILLS THE ENGINE SO NOW YOU ALSO LOOSE POWER STEERING CONTROL. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND ILLEGAL BUILD ON THIS TRUCK. ABS IS REQUIRED BY DOT LAW AND THIS TRUCK DOES NOT HAVE FULL ABS FUNCTION. I HAVE CONTACTED BENDIX, THE MAKER OF THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL THEY HAVE CONFIRMED THE WAY THIS IS HOOKED UP WILL CAUSE THE BRAKES TO LOCK UP. I HAVE ATTACHED PICTURES OF THE VALVE, YOU WILL NOTICE THAT ONE AIR LINE COMES FROM THE MODULE WHICH GOES TO THE REAR BRAKE. THE OTHER AIR LINE COMES DIRECTLY OUT OF THE ATR6 BRAKE VALVE, THIS LINE GOES DIRECTLY TO THE FRONT DRIVER SERVICE BRAKE. IT SHOULD ALSO BE RUN THROUGH THE MODULATOR VALVE FOR PROPER FUNCTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT ALL SPEEDS IN ICY SITUATIONS. IT HAS HAPPENED ON MOUNTAIN PASSES AND LEAVES THE DRIVER WITH NO CONTROL. URGENT ACTION REQUIRED PLEASE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 3 YEARS, WE HAVE SPENT MANY HOURS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY THIS TRUCKS BRAKES LOCK UP. WE HAVE THE KENWORTH DEALER ALSO LOOK AT IT AND THEY DID NOT FIND THE ISSUE EITHER. CURRENTLY THIS TRUCK IS AT THE KENWORTH DEALER WITH A REQUEST FOR THEM TO REPAIR IT AND REIMBURSE US OUR COSTS.