RoadVitals

2012 Peterbilt 320

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1
Latest Apr 24, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Jun 14, 2019
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2012 Peterbilt 320. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 22 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
19V452000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

Jun 14, 2019
343 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 1990-2020 Peterbilt 320 and 520 vehicles built with specific amber rear turn signals. The turn signals may also light up with the stop/tail lights when the brakes are applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: Rear Turn signals that illuminate at the same time as the brake lights may create confusion and impair the effectiveness of the brake lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and for trucks with rear amber lights, dealers will add a jumper harness between the chassis electrical harness and amber tail lights, free of charge. The recall began August 1, 2019. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 19PBC.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 19PBCView on NHTSA.gov
15V309000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

May 26, 2015
4,823 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2010-2016 Kenworth T440, T800, and W900 trucks manufactured August 31, 2009, to April 20, 2015, and 2008-2015 Peterbilt 320, 337, 348, 365, 382, and 384 trucks manufactured July 27, 2007, to April 28, 2015, and equipped with certain Cummins Westport ISL G engines. Excessive engine crankcase pressures may cause the 90-degree elbow of the vent tube assembly to detach from the crankcase ventilation breather, possibly allowing engine oil to come into contact with hot surfaces.
The risk: If engine oil comes into contact with a hot surface, there is an increased risk of a fire.
The remedy: Cummins will notify owners on behalf of PACCAR, and Cummins service centers will administer the repairs which include securing the ends of the 90-degree elbow and reprogramming the electronic control module (ECM) with software that can adjust the engine output under misfire conditions to limit crankcase pressures. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2015. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000, Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000 or Cummins Inc. at 1-800-343-7357. PACCAR's number for this recall is 15KWH and 515-G.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 15KWH and 515-GView on NHTSA.gov
15V108000

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Feb 24, 2015
5,141 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2009-2015 Peterbilt 320, 365, 367, 388, and 389 trucks manufactured July 21, 2008, to February 28, 2014. The front axle tie rod end clamp bolts may be improperly torqued.
The risk: Undertorqued tie rod end clamp bolts are susceptible to corrosion, which may cause loose bolts to separate resulting in a loss of vehicle control and an increased risk of a crash.
The remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle tie rod assembly on any vehicle where the factory installed assembly has not been previously replaced, free of charge. Owners were mailed interim notices on May 11, 2015. The recall began on April 4, 2016. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 215-C.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 215-CView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Filed Apr 24, 2018
Fire reported

ONE ARMED TRASH TRUCK FIRE. HOT HYDRAULICS CAUGHT FIRE FROM DEBRIS HITTING THEM WHEN EMPTYING TRASH. VERY WINDY AND COLD DAY, RIGHT AFTER LONG HOLIDAY BREAK - LOTS OF LOOSE WRAPPING PAPER AND TUBES IN TRASH FROM HOLIDAYS. THE OLDER MODELS HAVE NO COVER OR SHIELD TO PROTECT THE HOT HYDRAULIC LINES FROM FLYING DEBRIS! THEY ALSO DO NOT HAVE A MIRROR TO SEE BETWEEN THE CAB AND THE HOPPER TO ENSURE NO DEBRIS HAS LANDED ON HOT HYDRAULICS. MORE RECENT MODELS HAVE A SHIELD OR A COVER TO PROTECT HYDRAULIC LINES FROM RECEIVING FLYING DEBRIS AND CATCHING FIRE. I HAVE MANY MORE PICTURES SHOULD THEY BE NEEDED THAT I COULD NOT ATTACH. I ALSO NEED TO KNOW WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION ON SIMILAR INCIDENTS THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN THE PAST, SAFETY RECALLS AND /OR ALERTS THAT HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED. NEED THIS INFO ASAP, AS MY HUSBAND WAS SUSPENDED FROM WORK WITHOUT PAY FOR AN "ACCIDENT"!

NHTSA ID
11089901
Incident
Jan 3, 2018

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

02-160

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; VISIBILITY; VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

Information Only – Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate. Washer pumps may fail to spray due to a clogged filter.

43-067

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM; STRUCTURE

Fix as Fail: For all conventional models, except 387/587, equipped with Side-of-Cab (“SOC”) exhaust and built from 03/6/2006 to 1/20/2020, the clamps that secure the SOC exhaust stacks may not be tightened properly. This may allow the exhaust stack to rotate and contact the cab or sleeper.

32-015

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Information Only: This bulletin provides dealers with a battery warranty quick reference guide to ensure the appropriate tests for battery warranty are performed in order to prevent battery warranty claims filed with incorrect or incomplete information.

11-001

POWER TRAIN

Information only: Hendrickson Softek front axle maintenance intervals and requirements.

32-016

EQUIPMENT

Information Only: Proper jump-starting voltage will eliminate high voltage related issues and equipment damage.

34-085

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Information Only – Vehicles may have the connector seals on the wheel speed sensor incorrectly installed, which may lead to water intrusion and corrosion in some vehicles.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Peterbilt 320 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023010—
2022010—
2021020—
2020040—
2019041—
2018041—
2017061—
2016050—
2015090—
2014160—
2013050—
2012Viewing150—
2011030—
2010140—
2009040—
2008082—
2007032—
2006010—
2005020—
2004010—
2003020—
2002020—
2001020—
2000060—
1999060—
1998010—
1997010—
1996010—
1995010—
1994010—
1993010—
1992010—
1991010—
1990010—
1989130—
1988020—
1987010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.