RoadVitals

2005 Peterbilt 386

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 Nov 25, 2008
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.
4
Latest Nov 25, 2013
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2005 Peterbilt 386, most frequently naming the engine category. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 12 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine1100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
13V593000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Nov 25, 2013
561 units potentially affected
The defect: Paccar Incorporated (Paccar) is recalling certain 2004-2013 Peterbilt 379, 357, 378, 367, 388, 365, 389, 385 and 386 trucks manufactured from April 3, 2003, through October 25, 2013 and equipped with tri-drive rear axles and a tag or pusher axle. The affected vehicles may be missing required information from the certification label, specifically the tag or pusher axle the gross axle weight rating, suitable tire and rim information, and recommended tire pressure information. Without this information, the vehicles do not comply with the requirements of 49 C.F.R. Part 567, "Certification."
The risk: As a result, the axles may be overloaded or the wrong tires could be installed or the tires could be improperly inflated. All of these issues increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Peterbilt will notify owners and dealers will inspect and replace the certification labels missing the necessary information. The recall is expected to begin in January 2014. Customers can contact Peterbilt at 1-940-591-4000. Peterbilt's number for this campaign is 1113-F.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 1113-FView on NHTSA.gov
07V269000

TRAILER HITCHES

Jun 26, 2007
9,571 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE REMOVABLE TOW HITCH ,WHEN USED TO TOW OR LIFT A VEHICLE, CAN FAIL DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL IN THE TOW HITCH.
The risk: IF THE TOW HITCH ASSEMBLY FAILS WHILE A VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED OR LIFTED, IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TOW PIN ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440 OR PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201.
PACCAR INCORPORATEDManufacturer number 507E & 07KWAView on NHTSA.gov
07V153000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

Apr 10, 2007
306 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, IF THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED ON PRIOR TO INITIAL START UP IN THE MANUFACTURING PLANT OR DURING THE FILTER REPLACEMENT IN THE FIELD, A SMALL FLAME WILL IGNITE WHEN THE FUEL IS ADDED TO PRIME THE SYSTEM.
The risk: THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS FOR THE FLAME TO SPREAD RESULTING IN POSSIBLE EQUIPMENT DAMAGE OR PHYSICAL INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FILTER FOR THE DATE CODES OF THE SUSPECT FILTERS AND REPLACE THOSE HEATING ELEMENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 21, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440 AND PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201.
PACCAR INCORPORATEDManufacturer number 07KW5 & 307DView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Nov 25, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PETERBILT 386. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE FELT AS IF HE HAD BEEN DRUGGED WHENEVER HE AWOKE FROM SLEEPING IN THE VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, HE BECAME SLEEPY FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HE PURCHASED A TESTER TO TEST THE VEHICLE FOR NITRIC OXIDE AND THE LEVELS READ OVER 5,000 PPM. THE COMPANY THAT THE CONTACT WORKS FOR STATED THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF A SEMI-TRUCK LEAKING NITRIC OXIDE. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED PROPERLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 485,037 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 435,000.

NHTSA ID
10249832
Incident
Jun 1, 2005
Mileage
435,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

1210F

POWER TRAIN

1210F - SPL 170XL Interaxle Driveline Warranty section has been updated with descriptions of Recommended Repairs and an updated PRWS Claim Coding table has been added.

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.

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 386 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2021000—
2020000—
2019021—
2018021—
2017031—
2016050—
2015030—
2014050—
2013160—
2012271—
2011161—
2010151—
20091102—
20084142—
2007182—
2006020—
2005Viewing140—
2004010—

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.