What Peterbilt 386 owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Peterbilt 386 safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 |
| 2013 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
| 2012 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| 2011 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Peterbilt 386 complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
The contact owns a 2012 Peterbilt 386 equipped with Kelly Tires, Tire Line: Armor Steel RSA2, Tire Size: 295/75/R22.5, DOT Number: 04N37XETW. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the tread separated from the front driver's side tire core. The contact stated that the tire was a replacement tire. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The tire failure mileage was approximately 800. The vehicle failure mileage was unknown.
I [XXX] , [XXX] I PURCHASE THREE (3) TRUCKS FROM RITCHIE BROTHER AUCTION IN GEORGIA ON 3/23/2023 (1) 2012 FREIGHTLINER TRUCK WAS LOCATE IN GEORGIA, AND TWO TRUCKS WAS LOCATE IN CHEHALIS WA (1) 2012 PETERBILT (1) 2016 FREIGHTLINER. THE 2012 PETERBILT WAS A PROBLEM FROM THE START (SEE ATTACH REPAIRS) THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO PETERBILT IN SALEM OR, THE SERVICE ADVISOR: MICHEAL [XXX] PREPARE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE TRUCK, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT ALL THE PROBLEM THAT YOU ARE HAVING WITH THIS TRUCK IS THE DEF SYSTEM HAS BEEN ERASED, THIS DEF SYSTEM CANâT BE TAMPER WITH, SALE OR PURCHASE A TRUCK WITHOUT A DEF SYSTEM ACIVITY WORKING ON ALL TRUCKS ON THE ROAD THE CHIEF OPERATION OFFICER (COO) [XX…
A DRIVER PURCHASED THIS TRUCK USED IN NOVEMBER OF 2017, BUT WE STEARMAN TRANSPORTATION NOW HOLDS TITLE TO VIN # , ORIGINAL CUMMINS ENGINE SERIAL # AND CURRENT CUMMINS RECON ENGINE SERIAL # .TRUCK HAS SPENT MORE TIME IN SHOP THAN ON ROAD SINCE PURCHASE. TAKEN TO [XXX] COMPLAINING OF A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE WHERE REPAIR SHOP VERIFIED COMPLAINT BY REMOVING VALVE COVER AND FOUND THAT THE CAM WAS PITTED AS WELL AS THE ROCKER ARM ROLLERS. FOUND TAPPETS PITTED. FOUND OIL CONTAMINATED WITH FINE COPPER AND METAL PARTICLES.FOUND BEARINGS FOR THE MAINS SCRATCHED AND FIRST LAYER GONE AND COPPER LAYER ON THE CRANK SCRATCHED. TOLD BY [XXX] THAT CUMMINS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 5411180 EXPLAI…
UPON AN FIRE INVESTIGATION ON THIS PETERBILT THE SECONDARY POWER WIRE COMING FROM THE STARTER SHORTED OUT AGAINST THE ENGINE BLOCK OR GROUND WIRE. AS THE INVESTIGATION IS STILL EARLY I WILL HAVE A BETTER IDEA IN A FEW DAYS. I'M A HEAVY EQUIPMENT APPRAISER AND THIS IS ONE OF MY FLEETS THAT I LOOK AFTER. *TR
2010 PETERBILT 386, RAIN WATER BEADS ON THE SIDE WINDOWS AND DOES NOT GET BLOWN OFF. AS THIS BEADING BUILDS UP ON THE WINDOWS AND THE MIRROR, IT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE ANYTHING IN THE MIRRORS. WHEN THIS OCCURS AT NIGHT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE ANYTHING IN THE MIRRORS. CHANGING LANES IN THESE CONDITIONS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
"Kenworth: Dealers should check the chassis list and SIR weekly for VIN changes. 2 chassis added to the chassis list. Peterbilt: Dealers should check the chassis list and SIR weekly for VIN changes. 10 chassis added to the chassis list."
Info Only Unnecessary starter replacements can result from customer complaints regarding engine starting issues. A new Starter Troubleshooting Guide has been created to provide a comprehensive list of starting system checks, which should reduce unnecessary starter replacements and associated warranty claims. Engine starting system warranty claims now require a completed Starter Checklist, a Battery Pack Midtronics Report, and a Cable Drop Midtronics Report. Claims filed without these documents may be denied.
An engine software defect exists in certain vehicles equipped with EMY17 MX-13 and MX-11 engines that pertains to timer action and count calibrations for a time-based diagnostic. This diagnostic action checks fuel pressure and has no negative impact on tailpipe emissions. This soft ware may incorrectly set DTC âÃÂàP1092.
Info Only - PACCAR is introducing Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates for engine MY17 and newer chassis equipped with Cummins X15, X12, ISX12, ISX12N, L9N, PX-7, and PX-9 engines The technology will leverage the existing Remote Diagnostic cs hardware to deliver secure software updates remotely. This will reduce downtime and save on maintenance costs for eligible vehicles.
The service information for Bendix Air Dryer maintenance is being updated to include new procedures.
Due to major data carriers phasing out 3G networks, chassis currently utilizing first generation Peoplenet Mobile Gateway (PMG001) will experience severe 3G service degradation as early as January of 2022. Chassis currently utilizing 3G antennas as a primary antenna may experience this degradation.
Information Only: Due to differences between the PACCAR MX-11 or MX-13 2021A and 2021B engines, technicians must be able to identify which of these engines are in a chassis.
Fix-As-Fail â Due to undersupply issues, only a limited supply of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) sensors are available. As a temporary solution, after PACCAR confirms a DEF sensor is not available, a temporary software update will allow a vehicle to continue operation with a failed DEF sensor by disabling the DEF sensor diagnostics.
Information Only - Power steering reservoir cap may separate during removal when it is pulled upward instead of twisted.
Information Only â Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate. Washer pumps may fail to spray due to a clogged filter.
Fix as Fail: Peterbilt has introduced an improved mounting bracket for low mount air tanks for vehicles built between January 01, 2017 and July 06, 2020. Torsional vibration may stress the currently-installed brackets and cause them to fail near the bottom of the frame rail.
Information only: In 2020, Peterbilt and Kenworth began using the same M10, M12, M16, and M20 frame fasteners on all vehicles. Torque specifications for these fasteners are different from previous fasteners.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Many end in a recall.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE21-015) based on one Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) and supporting fleet reports. The reports indicated that the subject quarter fenders were prone to cracking and/or separation.After a comprehensive review of the data related to the quarter fender failures on the subject vehicles, ODI did not identify the existence of a safety-related defect trend. Quarter fender failures resulted in a warranty claim rate less th
On May 1, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE20006 to investigate complaints of intermittent loss of power steering assist in Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), Volvo Trucks of North America (Volvo) and PACCAR vehicles equipped with a ZF/TRW (TRW) THP60 steering gear. The investigation focused on 2010-2020 DTNA Freightliner Cascadia, M2 and WST; Volvo VN, VAH and VHD and PACCAR 337, 365, 389, 567, 579 model vehicles.Field reports and interviews with fleet drivers allege
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2010–2021, owners most often name: unknown or other, electrical system, engine. 5 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.