2014 Peterbilt 388 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2014 Peterbilt 388, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Tires & wheels1246.2%
- Other / unspecified830.8%
- Body & structure27.7%
- Engine27.7%
- Electrical13.8%
- Fuel system13.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE OPERATE 6 BRAND NEW PETERBILT 388 CAR HAULERS. EVERY TRUCK RANDOMLY BLOWS DRIVE INSIDE TIRE. ONCE TIRE BLOWS IT CAN BLOW ADJACENT TIRE. SO FAR WE HAD ABOUT 20 BLOW OUT IN 2 MONTH TIME. ONLY SOLUTION SO FAR WE FOUND WAS TO REROUTE EXHAUST PIPE TO THE SIDE AND REPLACE TIRES TO ALL POSITION TIRES. NO REIMBURSEMENT FROM PETERBILT. CALLED EVERY POSSIBLE NUMBER, BUT NO RESPONSE. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND EXHAUST CAUSES INSIDE TIRE TO OVERHEAT AND CAUSE BLOW OUT. TIRES BLOW EVERY 1000-3000 MILES. WE HAVE SPEND OVER 30,000$ ON ROAD CALLS AND TIRE REPLACEMENT SO FAR. *TR
WE OPERATE 6 BRAND NEW PETERBILT 388 CAR HAULERS. EVERY TRUCK RANDOMLY BLOWS DRIVE INSIDE TIRE. ONCE TIRE BLOWS IT CAN BLOW ADJACENT TIRE. SO FAR WE HAD ABOUT 20 BLOW OUT IN 2 MONTH TIME. ONLY SOLUTION SO FAR WE FOUND WAS TO REROUTE EXHAUST PIPE TO THE SIDE AND REPLACE TIRES TO ALL POSITION TIRES. NO REIMBURSEMENT FROM PETERBILT. CALLED EVERY POSSIBLE NUMBER, BUT NO RESPONSE. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND EXHAUST CAUSES INSIDE TIRE TO OVERHEAT AND CAUSE BLOW OUT. TIRES BLOW EVERY 1000-3000 MILES. WE HAVE SPEND OVER 30,000$ ON ROAD CALLS AND TIRE REPLACEMENT SO FAR. *TR
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
6 PETERBILT MY COMPANY OPERATES ARE 2014 AND 2015 CAR HAULERS. ALL ARE CONSISTENTLY DESTROYING REAR AXEL TIRES BOTH SIDES DRIVER AND PASSENGER (THREAD IS COMING OUT). DAMAGED SEEMS TO HAPPEN DUE TO OVERHEAT OF TIRES. WE TRIED USING DIFFERENT BRAND OF TIRES, BUT BLOW OUT DID NOT STOP. WE TOOK TRUCKS TO [XXX] AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND ANY ISSUES. WITH EACH OCCURRENCE THREAD FROM DRIVE TIRE IS COMING OFF AND TIRE STILL HOLDS AIR. IT DAMAGES ALL LIGHTS ON TRUCK THEN IT DAMAGES MUD GUARDS AND BREAKS SAFETY WINGS ON THE TRAILER. EACH TIME COSTS ABOUT 2000$ PLUS ROAD SERVICE. ONLY SOLUTION WE FOUND AT THIS TIME TO RUN ALL POSITION TIRES ON DRIVE TIRES. SO FAR WE DID NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES FOR PAST 30 DAYS. LAST TRUCK WE PURCHASED FROM [XXX] , THEY AGREED TO SWAP TIRES AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE TO ALL POSITION... NO SOLUTION IS OFFERED TO US. WE HAVE LOST OVER $40,000 SO FAR ON BRAND NEW TRUCKS... INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
6 PETERBILT MY COMPANY OPERATES ARE 2014 AND 2015 CAR HAULERS. ALL ARE CONSISTENTLY DESTROYING REAR AXEL TIRES BOTH SIDES DRIVER AND PASSENGER (THREAD IS COMING OUT). DAMAGED SEEMS TO HAPPEN DUE TO OVERHEAT OF TIRES. WE TRIED USING DIFFERENT BRAND OF TIRES, BUT BLOW OUT DID NOT STOP. WE TOOK TRUCKS TO [XXX] AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND ANY ISSUES. WITH EACH OCCURRENCE THREAD FROM DRIVE TIRE IS COMING OFF AND TIRE STILL HOLDS AIR. IT DAMAGES ALL LIGHTS ON TRUCK THEN IT DAMAGES MUD GUARDS AND BREAKS SAFETY WINGS ON THE TRAILER. EACH TIME COSTS ABOUT 2000$ PLUS ROAD SERVICE. ONLY SOLUTION WE FOUND AT THIS TIME TO RUN ALL POSITION TIRES ON DRIVE TIRES. SO FAR WE DID NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES FOR PAST 30 DAYS. LAST TRUCK WE PURCHASED FROM [XXX], THEY AGREED TO SWAP TIRES AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE TO ALL POSITION... NO SOLUTION IS OFFERED TO US. WE HAVE LOST OVER $40,000 SO FAR ON BRAND NEW TRUCKS... INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
2014 PETERBILT 388 CAR HAULER. PASSENGER SIDE 2014 MICHELIN XZA 275/70/R22.5 BLEW UP. TRUCK LOST POWER HOOD WAS RIPPED APART. WHEEL, DOOR, HOOD, ELECTRICAL, AIR INTAKE DESTROYED. WAITING FOR INSURANCE TO COVER ANY DAMAGE. SO FAR HAVE SPEND OVER 20,000$ PLUS ROAD SERVICE. TRUCK WAS TRAVELING 73 MPH FRONT WEIGHT 11200. TIRE HAD AROUND 18000 MILES. *TR
FRONT MICHELIN XZA 2 TIRE BLEW. IT WAS REPLACED 7/15/2014 AT 130,673. TIRE HAD LESS THEN 35,000 ON IT. TRUCK WAS DAMAGED WHEEL DESTROYED. HOOD DAMAGED, BUMPER DAMAGED. ROAD SERVICE REPLACED 1 TIRE AND WHEEL PAID $1500 TIRE SIZE 275/70/22.5 *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
PROBLEMS WITH (AFTER TREATMENT)CODES FLASHING, CHECK ENGINE, IMMEDIATELY WENT TO STOP ENGINE IMMEDIATELY AND TRUCK SHUT OFF AT 70MPH. FORTUNATELY NOT ON INCLINE OR DECLINE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SAFETY. THIS HAPPENED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. PETERBILT NOR CUMMINS HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE FUEL PUMP COMPLETELY FAILED AND TOOK OUT THE ENGINE. MANUFACTURER KNOWS THIS IS A DESIGN AND ENGINEERING FLAW AND REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE OLDER TRUCKS THAT STILL HAVE LOW MILES BUT ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. WE ARE PERSONALLY AWARE OF 5 ENGINE FAILURES IN THE SAME TIME FRAME OF OURS..ALL CUMMINS ISX15 MOTORS. THESE ENGINES ARE LEMONS. THE AFTER TREATMENT ENGINEERING IS A SHAM AND THE MOTORS ARE NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE THE STRAIN. THESE ARE PUTTING OWNER OPERATORS OUT OF BUSINESS AND ARE AN ENORMOUS SAFETY HAZARD. WHAT IS THE NHTSA PREPARED TO DO ABOUT THIS AS THE RECALL DUE TO THESE FUEL PUMPS SHOULD HAVE SPANNED MANY MORE YEARS AND THOUSANDS MORE VEHICLES. OUR ISSUE STARTED IN 2016 NOT LONG AFTER PURCHASE THROUGH PETERBILT AND CULMINATED WITH FUEL PUMP FAILURE/CARBON PACKING THIS PAST WEEK. WE WERE TOLD IT WAS WIRING HARNESS AND CUMMINS WAS TO COVER THE COST AS NO ONE SEEMED TO BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. WE HAVE GONE FROM BEING TOLD IT WOULD BE A 3800.00 HARNESS TO BEING TOLD THAT THE TRUCK NEEDS A NEW MOTOR AND FUEL/OIL PUMP USING THE SAME FLAWED AFTER TREATMENT (THIS WERE THE CODES THAT HAD BEEN APPEARING THAT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED, NEVER WARNING FOR FUEL PUMP, PRESSURE ISSUES, ETC.) FOR AN ADTL COST OF $39,000 IN ADDITION TO THE SERVICE WORK ALREADY PERFORMED TO NO AVAIL. OWNER OPERATORS CANNOT STAY IN BUSINESS AS MANUFACTURERS BASK IN THE GLORY OF SALES AND MAINTENANCE PROFITS. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. WE HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 12 YEARS AND NOW WILL GO OUT OF BUSINESS AND JUST HOPE WE CAN SELL THIS LEMON. ACT NOW.
2014 PETERBILT 388 CAR HAULER. PASSENGER SIDE 2014 MICHELIN XZA 275/70/R22.5 BLEW UP. TRUCK LOST POWER HOOD WAS RIPPED APART. WHEEL, DOOR, HOOD, ELECTRICAL, AIR INTAKE DESTROYED. WAITING FOR INSURANCE TO COVER ANY DAMAGE. SO FAR HAVE SPEND OVER 20,000$ PLUS ROAD SERVICE. TRUCK WAS TRAVELING 73 MPH FRONT WEIGHT 11200. TIRE HAD AROUND 18000 MILES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT MICHELIN XZA 2 TIRE BLEW. IT WAS REPLACED 7/15/2014 AT 130,673. TIRE HAD LESS THEN 35,000 ON IT. TRUCK WAS DAMAGED WHEEL DESTROYED. HOOD DAMAGED, BUMPER DAMAGED. ROAD SERVICE REPLACED 1 TIRE AND WHEEL PAID $1500 TIRE SIZE 275/70/22.5 *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
PROBLEMS WITH (AFTER TREATMENT)CODES FLASHING, CHECK ENGINE, IMMEDIATELY WENT TO STOP ENGINE IMMEDIATELY AND TRUCK SHUT OFF AT 70MPH. FORTUNATELY NOT ON INCLINE OR DECLINE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SAFETY. THIS HAPPENED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. PETERBILT NOR CUMMINS HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE FUEL PUMP COMPLETELY FAILED AND TOOK OUT THE ENGINE. MANUFACTURER KNOWS THIS IS A DESIGN AND ENGINEERING FLAW AND REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE OLDER TRUCKS THAT STILL HAVE LOW MILES BUT ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. WE ARE PERSONALLY AWARE OF 5 ENGINE FAILURES IN THE SAME TIME FRAME OF OURS..ALL CUMMINS ISX15 MOTORS. THESE ENGINES ARE LEMONS. THE AFTER TREATMENT ENGINEERING IS A SHAM AND THE MOTORS ARE NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE THE STRAIN. THESE ARE PUTTING OWNER OPERATORS OUT OF BUSINESS AND ARE AN ENORMOUS SAFETY HAZARD. WHAT IS THE NHTSA PREPARED TO DO ABOUT THIS AS THE RECALL DUE TO THESE FUEL PUMPS SHOULD HAVE SPANNED MANY MORE YEARS AND THOUSANDS MORE VEHICLES. OUR ISSUE STARTED IN 2016 NOT LONG AFTER PURCHASE THROUGH PETERBILT AND CULMINATED WITH FUEL PUMP FAILURE/CARBON PACKING THIS PAST WEEK. WE WERE TOLD IT WAS WIRING HARNESS AND CUMMINS WAS TO COVER THE COST AS NO ONE SEEMED TO BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. WE HAVE GONE FROM BEING TOLD IT WOULD BE A 3800.00 HARNESS TO BEING TOLD THAT THE TRUCK NEEDS A NEW MOTOR AND FUEL/OIL PUMP USING THE SAME FLAWED AFTER TREATMENT (THIS WERE THE CODES THAT HAD BEEN APPEARING THAT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED, NEVER WARNING FOR FUEL PUMP, PRESSURE ISSUES, ETC.) FOR AN ADTL COST OF $39,000 IN ADDITION TO THE SERVICE WORK ALREADY PERFORMED TO NO AVAIL. OWNER OPERATORS CANNOT STAY IN BUSINESS AS MANUFACTURERS BASK IN THE GLORY OF SALES AND MAINTENANCE PROFITS. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. WE HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 12 YEARS AND NOW WILL GO OUT OF BUSINESS AND JUST HOPE WE CAN SELL THIS LEMON. ACT NOW.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .