Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2008 Peterbilt 386, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling4
- Electrical system1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 10 2008 386 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 1 person died inside them, and 3 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
Recalls in Canada
16 Transport Canada recalls for the 2008 Peterbilt 386.
| 2020148 7 Apr 2020 | Lights And Instruments Issue: On certain trucks, the warning light for the tractor anti-lock brake system (ABS) may not turn on if the system loses power. If this happens, the drive… |
| 2011263 21 Jul 2011 | Powertrain On certain trucks equipped with a PACCAR MX engine and Eaton Ultrashift DM or Allison automatic transmission (without auto-neutral), the Fast Idle Control (also… |
| 2011087 25 Feb 2011 | Engine On certain vehicles equipped with a PACCAR MX engine, the oil module centrifugal spinner filter cap may become loose, possibly allowing the cap to come off and … |
| 2010441 13 Dec 2010 | Powertrain On certain vehicles, the bearing surfaces of the extended lube universal joint that attaches the inter-axle driveline to the drive axle may become prematurely w… |
| 2008349 24 Sept 2008 | Other On certain trucks, the inadequate stiffness of the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) bracket could result in the separation of the DPF from the chassis, which co… |
| 2008091 19 Mar 2008 | Brakes Certain vehicles may have been assembled with an incorrectly manufactured Bendix MV-3 dash control valve. If the double check valve becomes lodged, in the even… |
| 2008047 12 Feb 2008 | Other On certain vehicles, the door latch may have been manufactured incorrectly. If the latch rotor cracks, the latch would not have primary or secondary closing se… |
| 2008018 18 Jan 2008 | Fuel System On certain trucks, fuel line fittings on the Aftertreatment Regeneration Device (ARD) may crack and leak fuel during a regeneration of the Diesel Particulate Fi… |
| 2008001 7 Jan 2008 | Brakes Certain vehicles fail to comply with requirements of CMVSS 121 - Air Brake System. The air lines were incorrectly constructed with only four layers of extruded… |
| 2007415 18 Dec 2007 | Steering On certain trucks, an incorrectly manufactured steering gear sector shaft may cause the steering to "stick or bind". This could severely restrict the steering … |
| 2007380 29 Nov 2007 | Fuel System On certain vehicles equipped with Caterpillar C7 and C9 diesel engines, fuel pump failure can dilute the engine oil with fuel and cause the turbocharger to fail… |
| 2007292 6 Sept 2007 | Fuel System On certain trucks, the fuel tank's longitudinal seams may have been fabricated using an incorrect weld speed for the given material thickness. This error resul… |
| 2007209 21 Jun 2007 | Other On certain trucks, the removable front tow hitch assembly may fail. This could result in personal injury or property damage if the assembly failed during the u… |
| 2007145 8 May 2007 | Fuel System On certain trucks, when the ignition key is in the 'ON' position, the pre-heater, located in the fuel filter base, is energized. If this pre-heater is energize… |
| 2007090 20 Mar 2007 | Other On certain trucks, the axle housing may have been manufactured with steel that was out of specification (9.5mm thick instead of 11mm thick), which could result … |
| 2006369 21 Dec 2006 | Suspension On certain trucks, components used to attach the air suspension to the axle may contain elevated amounts of copper. The elevated copper content could result in… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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."
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."
PACCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 KENWORTH T660, T700, AND T800 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 19, 2010, THROUGH MAY 13, 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2008, 2010, AND 2011 PETERBILT 365, 367, 384, 386, 387, 388 AND 587 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 2010, THROUGH JUNE 11, 2011, AND EQUIPPED WITH PACCAR MX ENGINES AND EATON ULTRASHIFT DM OR ALLISON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS (WITHOUT AUTO-NEUTRAL). THE FAST IDLE CONTROL MAY BE ACTIVATED BY THE OPERATOR WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS IN GEAR.
PACCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2012 KENWORTH T2000, T660, T700, T800, AND W900, AS WELL AS MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 PETERBILT 365, 367, 384, 386, 387, 388, 389, AND 587 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH PACCAR MX ENGINES. THE OIL MODULE CENTRIFUGAL SPINNER FILTER CAP IN THE PACCAR MX ENGINE MAY BECOME LOOSE, POSSIBLY ALLOWING THE CAP TO COME OFF AND ENGINE OIL TO PARTIALLY DISCHARGE FROM THE OIL MODULE ONTO EXHAUST COMPONENTS.
PACCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 KENWORTH AND PETERBILT VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 2, 2006 THROUGH APRIL 30, 2007. THE BEARING SURFACES OF THE EXTENDED LUBE UNIVERSAL JOINT THAT ATTACHES THE INTER-AXLE DRIVELINE TO THE DRIVE AXLE MAY BECOME PREMATURELY WORN DUE TO BREAKDOWN OF LUBRICATION AND/OR EXCESSIVE HEAT. PREMATURELY WORN BEARING SURFACES MAY RESULT IN THE U-JOINT BECOMING LOOSE AND/OR BINDING. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN UNIVERSAL JOINT FAILURE, ALLOWING THE INTER-AXLE DRIVELINE TO DETACH FROM THE AXLE.
PACCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW STEERING SHAFTS. THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL WELD AROUND THE STEERING SHAFT TUBE THAT WELDS THE SPLINED TUBE TO THE NON-SPLINED TUBE MAY BE MISLOCATED. MISLOCATION OF THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL WELD MAY ALLOW THE SPLINED TUBE AND NON-SPLINED TUBE TO ROTATE RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER DURING A LOW SPEED, HIGH TORQUE TURN, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A SEPARATION OF THE TWO TUBES.
PACCAR IS RECALLING 4,883 MY 2006-2009 KENWORTH T600, T660, T800, W900, T2000 AND MY 2008-2009 PETERBILT 365, 367, 379, 384, 386, 387, 388 AND 389 TRUCKS. INADEQUATE STIFFNESS OF THE DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) BRACKET COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE DPF FROM THE CHASSIS.
PACCAR IS RECALLING 318 MY 2007-2009 KENWORTH T800, W900, AND PETERBILT 357, 365, 367, 378, 379, 384, 385, 386,388, AND 389 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH PREMIER TRAILER HITCH ASSEMBLIES. THE PINTLE HITCH ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED IN A MANNER RESULTING IN A REDUCTION OF FATIGUE STRENGTH OF THE PIVOT PINS.
PACCAR IS RECALLING 6,169 MY 2008 KENWORTH T300, T660, T800, T2000, W900 AND C500 VEHICLES AND MY 2008-2009 PETERBILT MODELS 365, 367, 384, 387, 388, 389 AND 389 KITS. CERTAIN DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLIES ON THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS." THE ROTOR IN SOME OF THESE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLIES DID NOT RECEIVE THE PROPER HEAT TREATMENT AND MAY BE SOFT.
CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH EATON SYNFLEX ECLIPSE BRAND EXTRUDED NYLON AIR BRAKE HOSE TUBING FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES." THE TUBING WAS MANUFACTURED WITH ONLY FOUR LAYERS OF NYLON MATERIAL, INSTEAD OF THE SPECIFIED FIVE LAYERS.
ON CERTAIN KENWORTH AND PETERBILT HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TAS-85 TRW STEERING GEARS, THE INNER SURFACE OF THE OUTER SECTOR SHAFT TEETH OF THE STEERING GEARS MAY HAVE AN INCORRECT INVOLUTE PROFILE, WHICH MAY LEAD TO CHIPPING AND DAMAGE OF THE GEARING SYSTEM.
ON CERTAIN PETERBILT TRUCKS, THE LONGITUDINAL SEAMS ON THE FUEL TANKS WERE FABRICATED USING AN INCORRECT WELD SPEED FOR THE GIVEN MATERIAL THICKNESS. THIS ERROR RESULTED IN A WELD WHICH DID NOT COMPLETELY PENETRATE THE ENTIRE MATERIAL THICKNESS.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS BUILT WITH CUMMINS ISM C876 ENGINES, THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILS TO RECOGNIZE INPUTS OF THE VEHICLE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OR FROM A DRIVER ACTUATED DASH SWITCH THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF UNINTENDED (OR UNEXPECTED) ELEVATED EXHAUST TEMPERATURES.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Peterbilt told its dealers about the 2008 Peterbilt 386: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11009719 | 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. |
| 10188550 | Information Only Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate. Washer pumps may fail to spray due to a clogged filter. |
| 10177021 | 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. |
| 10177019 | 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. |
| 10176033 | Information only: Hendrickson Softek front axle maintenance intervals and requirements. |
| 10174764 | 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. |
| 10174762 | 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. |
| 10173212 | 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. |
| 10173205 | Information Only: Proper jump-starting voltage will eliminate high voltage related issues and equipment damage. |
| 10172036 | Information Only: Vehicles may have the connector seal on the wheel speed sensor incorrectly installed, which may lead to sensor corrosion. |
| 10168703 | Information Only: This bulletin provides guidance for repairing an air-conditioning system after internal failure of the A/C compressor. |
| 10162392 | Information Only - Quick Reference Guide for Electric harness damage repairs. |
| 10159674 | Information Only: Proper instructions for closure of power distribution box cover to prevent corrosion. |
| 10154733 | Information: Bendix ACOM Software version 6.16.5.0 for diagnostics may introduce an unrecoverable error. Notice to dealers to replace this version with older software version until Bendix introduces new version. |
| 10143649 | Information - Recommended Practices for Updating ESA Software |
| 10033584 | CUMMINS ISX, OR CUMMINS ISM ENGINES EXPERIENCING A PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE FAN HUB BEARINGS. *KB |
| 10027645 | PETERBILT TRUCKS: THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MAY SHUT DOWN DUE TO A POWER SURGE. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE GREEN LIGHT ON THE COMFORTCLASS CONTROL PANEL TURNS TO RED. *PE |
| 10026729 | PETERBILT TRUCKS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. CERTAIN PETERBILT TRUCKS MANUFACTURED WITH UNDER TORQUED BRAKE ASSEMBLY MOUNTING BOLTS ON HENDRICKSON 8,000 LB PUSHER AXLES. CSC LETTER WAS RECEIVED. *PE |
| 10026567 | PETERBILT: TRUCKS BUILT WITH CUMMINS ISL ENGINES BETWEEN 1/16/08-6/10/08. DUE TO A MATERIAL ERROR, CERTAIN VEHICLES ORDERED WITH OPTIONAL C-BRAKE BY CUMMINS (OPTION CODE NUMBER 2812140) DID NOT RECEIVE A C-BRAKE ON THE ENGINE. *PE |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Driveshaft separates from tractor
Horton Fan Hub Failures
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation