RoadVitals

2013 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 Dec 13, 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.
6
Latest Apr 6, 2020
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 2013 Peterbilt 386, most frequently naming the engine category. 6 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.

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

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

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
20V199000

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC); SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT

Apr 6, 2020
460,515 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2008-2019 Peterbilt 330, 335, 337, 340, 348, 365, 367, 384, 386, 387, 388, 389, 567, 579 and 587 vehicles and 2008-2020 Kenworth T170, T270, T370, T660, T680, T800, T880, and W900 vehicles equipped with NAMUX Software. In the event that the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) loses battery and/or ignition power to the controller, the dash warning light for the ABS may not illuminate to warn the driver of the loss of ABS. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems," and 136, "Electronic Stability Control System on Heavy Vehicles."
The risk: If the driver unknowingly operates the vehicle without the ABS functioning, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
The remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will update the NAMUX software within the cab control module, free of charge. PACCAR issued owners an interim notification on June 4, 2020. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 20pbc AND 20KWB.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 20pbc AND 20KWBView on NHTSA.gov
15V740000

TIRES

Nov 9, 2015
1,876 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Peterbilt 340, 2010, 2012, and 2015-2016 Peterbilt 337, 2010 Peterbilt 335, 2011-2016 Peterbilt 348, 2009 and 2011-2016 Peterbilt 365, 2009 and 2012-2013 Peterbilt 386, 2009-2015 Peterbilt 388, 2015-2016 Peterbilt 389, and 2015 Peterbilt 567 auto hauler vehicles. The affected trucks are equipped with Michelin 295/60R22.5 XZA-2 front tires that have a speed rating less than the vehicle is governed to.
The risk: Higher vehicle speeds and other factors such as tire load and road temperatures may result in premature tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Peterbilt will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the engine's vehicle speed parameters to limit the maximum vehicle speed to the tire speed rating, free of charge. The recall began on January 4, 2016. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. PACCAR's number for this recall is 1115P.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 1115PView on NHTSA.gov
15V456000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

Jul 22, 2015
288 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Peterbilt 365, 367, 384, 386, 388, 389, 567, 579, and 587 trucks manufactured January 13, 2011, to April 20, 2015. The affected trucks, equipped with extended-body Leece Neville alternators, have alternator charge cables that may chafe against a formed metal freon discharge line.
The risk: If the alternator cable rubs through its insulation, an electrical short may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Peterbilt will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the alternator charge cable away from the metal freon line and install a plastic insulator on the cable end, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2015. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. Peterbilt's number for this recall is 715-K.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 715-KView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Dec 13, 2018

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 EXPLAINS PROBLEMS. TOLD CRANKSHAFT COULD NOT BE REUSED. ALL OTHER COMPONENTS DAMAGED AS RESULT OF OIL CONTAMINATION. POSSIBLE CARBON PACKING ON PISTON, TIMING GEARS BUSHINGS AND SHAFT, OIL COOLER, HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND TURBO CHARGER REPLACED RECENTLY. BASED ON REC WE HAD TO REPLACE AS TOLD OUR ONLY OPTION BECAUSE "THE OLD STYLE FUEL PUMP IT HAS CERAMIC PLUNGERS WHICH EVENTUALLY BRAKE OFF AND GET INTO THE OIL SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE TAPPETS WHICH WERE SOFTER IN MATERIAL BUT THEN LATER UPDATED TO DIAMOND COATED IF THE OLD STYLE WAS NOT REPLACED THIS COULD CAUSE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO ENGINE EVENTUALLY CAUSING TO HAVE THE WHOLE ENGINE REPLACED." TRIED TO GET CUMMINS TSB 541180 WITHOUT SUCCESS FROM SELLER, CUMMINS OR [XXX] W/OUT SUCCESS. STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRUCK EVEN AFTER PUTTING IN A CUMMINS RECON ENGINE. WE HAVE SPENT OVER $80K AT LEAST IN REPAIRS SINCE PURCHASING THE TRUCK IN NOVEMBER 2017. PLEASE AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE TELL US IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THIS TRUCK OR ITS PARTS AND PROVIDE US WITH CUMMINS TSB 5411180. ALL PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED WHILE THE TRUCK IS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
11161142
Incident
Jan 11, 2018
Mileage
471,000 mi

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.

02-158

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; STRUCTURE

Fix as Fail: Peterbilt has determined that certain model 348, 365, 367, 382, 384, 386, 388, 389, 567, 579, and 587 trucks, built between 4/13/2010 and 3/16/2020 and equipped with a flush mounted battery box, utilized rubber washers that could rub through and cause the aluminum box mounting tabs to rub directly on the steel frame brackets. This could result in cracked battery box mounting angles. Resolution is to add the reinforcement bracket(s) to affected vehicles.

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.

18PBB

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT

Safety Recall Bulletin: Updated with permanent repair path for phase 1 vehicles. The Tractor ABS Lamp May Not Illuminate When ABS Controller Loses Battery and/or Ignition Power. NHTSA recall number is 18V368. Non compliance to FMVSS and CMVSS 121 and 136. Resolution is to Reflash software.

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—
2013Viewing160—
2012271—
2011161—
2010151—
20091102—
20084142—
2007182—
2006020—
2005140—
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.