RoadVitals

2012 Peterbilt 587

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.
3
Latest Feb 19, 2025
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.
8
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Peterbilt 587, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and fuel system categories. 8 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

  • Electrical250.0%
  • Engine125.0%
  • Fuel system125.0%

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

8 campaigns cover this model year

View all 8

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
15V641000

EQUIPMENT

Oct 9, 2015
290 units potentially affected
The defect: Paccar Incorporated (Paccar) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Peterbilt 579 and 587 trucks manufactured February 14, 2011, to December 5, 2012 and 2011 Kenworth T700 trucks manufactured September 21, 2010, to October 1, 2010. The affected trucks are equipped with Fontaine Ultra LT Fifth Wheel connectors, which, due to cumulative damage to the fifth wheel and its locking mechanism, have a locking mechanism that may fail to operate or to properly engage.
The risk: If the fifth wheel and locking mechanism are sufficiently damaged, the locking mechanism may fail to operate as intended and the trailer may unexpectedly detach from the tractor, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fifth wheel with an Ultra NT model fifth wheel, free of charge. The recall began on December 7, 2015. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. Paccar's numbers for this recall are 15KWP (Kenworth) and 1015M (Peterbilt).
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 15KWP and 1015MView 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

EngineFuel system
Filed Feb 19, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Peterbilt 587. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unaware of a warning light being illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road where the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to West Truck Services Center, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump had failed. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump plungers had fractured and intruded the engine. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that there were metal shavings inside the oil filter. The dealer determined that the fuel pump and engine rod bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: 140019. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a claim was filed; however, the claim was denied. The failure mileage was 468,742.

NHTSA ID
11643608
Incident
Jul 26, 2024
Mileage
468,742 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 22, 2013
Fire reported

2012 PETERBILT TRACTOR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POTENTIAL FIRE DEFECT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECENTLY INVESTIGATED THE CAUSE OF A FIRE IN THE TRACTOR AND DETERMINED THE CAUSE TO BE RELATED TO A POTENTIAL DEFECT IN THE MANNER IN WHICH THE BATTERY CABLES WERE SUPPORTED. THE BATTERY CABLES PASSED FROM THE BATTERY BOX ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE TRACTOR, AT A POSITION BEHIND THE CAB, TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AT THE LOCATION WHERE THE BATTERY CABLES PASSED THE ELECTRONIC CLUTCH ACTUATOR, THEY WERE HELD IN PLACE BY A PLASTIC TIE. DUE TO DRIVE TRAIN VIBRATION AND MOVEMENT, THE PLASTIC TIE USED TO SECURE THE BATTERY CABLES TO THE CLUTCH ACTUATOR SHIELD WERE PRONE TO FAILURE. THE PLASTIC TIE BROKE AT SOME TIME DURING ITS SERVICE LIFE AND THE WEIGHT OF THE BATTERY CABLES CAUSED THEM TO MIGRATE TOWARD THE BOTTOM OF THE CLUTCH ACTUATOR SHIELD. MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE UNSECURED CABLES AND THE SHIELD, WHICH OCCURRED OVER TIME, ABRADED THE INSULATION OF ONE OF THE POSITIVE CABLES. ONCE THE ELECTRICAL INSULATION FAILED, THE CABLE ARCED AGAINST THE SHIELD, ENERGIZING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. UPDATED 7/1/13 ...UPDATED 10-24-13 *BF

NHTSA ID
10509048
Incident
Apr 1, 2013
Electrical
Filed Apr 11, 2013
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 PETERBILT 587. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THERE WAS A FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE HAD IGNITED. THE CABLES WERE ATTACHED TO THE ELECTRONIC CLUTCH ACTUATOR, WHICH HAD A PLASTIC COVER. THE PLASTIC TIE FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE BATTERY CABLES TO FAIL, ENERGIZING THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE BLOCK. THE HIGH HEAT CAUSED IT TO BECOME COMBUSTIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN BECAUSE OF THE FIRE DAMAGE. *TR UPDATED 7/2/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED DUE TO THE VIBRATION AND MOVEMENT, THE PLASTIC TIE USED TO SECURE THE BATTERY CABLES TO THE CLUTCH ACTUATOR SHEILD IS PRONE TO FAILURE. UPDATED 11/1/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID
10505965
Incident
Feb 4, 2013

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.

20 PBC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT

Safety Recall Interim Bulletin: The Tractor ABS Lamp May Not Illuminate When ABS Controller Loses Battery and/or Ignition Power. NHTSA recall number is 20V199 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 587 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2021000—
2020000—
2019031—
2018041—
2017151—
2016060—
2015060—
2014090—
2013290—
2012Viewing380—
2011050—
2010040—
2009030—
2008040—
2007020—
2006010—

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.