2003 Peterbilt 385 recalls and problems

The 2003 Peterbilt 385 has 3 recalls and 0 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.

How the 2003 compares

Too few model years with complaints to compare.

3recalls
0complaints
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
—median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
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3 recalls

Steering

Oct 20, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V410000 · 1,187 vehicles

Problem: On certain trucks equipped with dana spicer integral knuckle and steer arm assemblies, the steer axle assemblies May have a longitudinal crack in the steer arm.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DANA SPICER INTEGRAL KNUCKLE AND STEER ARM ASSEMBLIES, THE STEER AXLE ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE A LONGITUDINAL CRACK IN THE STEER ARM.

Risk: If the crack should propagate over time, the ball could become loose resulting in a loss of steering, which could result in a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

IF THE CRACK SHOULD PROPAGATE OVER TIME, THE BALL COULD BECOME LOOSE RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will inspect and replace the knuckle and steer arm assemblies. Owner notification began January 5, 2004. Owners should contact Kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or Peterbilt at 1-940-591-4201.

Kenworth recall no. 03KWA\Peterbilt recall no. 1003G.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Power Train

Aug 6, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V288000 · 132 vehicles

Problem: On certain heavy duty trucks, the locking tab that locks the outer spindle nut onto the spindle was not engaged or properly bent over.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, THE LOCKING TAB THAT LOCKS THE OUTER SPINDLE NUT ONTO THE SPINDLE WAS NOT ENGAGED OR PROPERLY BENT OVER.

Risk: Failure to properly engage the locking feature into the nut could cause the nut to loosen which will eventually cause the wheel bearing to over heat and fail if undetected. If the loose nut is not detected, the outer end (tire, wheel and hub assembly) could become separated from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

FAILURE TO PROPERLY ENGAGE THE LOCKING FEATURE INTO THE NUT COULD CAUSE THE NUT TO LOOSEN WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE WHEEL BEARING TO OVER HEAT AND FAIL IF UNDETECTED. IF THE LOOSE NUT IS NOT DETECTED, THE OUTER END (TIRE, WHEEL AND HUB ASSEMBLY) COULD BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will inspect the hubs to determine if the locking tabs are properly bent. If the locking tabs are not bent, then dealers will inspect the appropriate components for premature wear and replace such components as required and properly secure the retaining nut by bending over the locking tab. Owner notification began September 17, 2003. Owners should contact Kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or Peterbilt at 940-591-4201.

Kenworth recall no. 03KW8/Peterbilt recall no. 803-D.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Trailer Hitches

May 5, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V168000 · 483 vehicles

Problem: On certain trucks equipped with jost International jsk 37U series fifth wheels, a fatigue crack can develop in the bracket pin weld under certain loading conditions.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH JOST INTERNATIONAL JSK 37U SERIES FIFTH WHEELS, A FATIGUE CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE BRACKET PIN WELD UNDER CERTAIN LOADING CONDITIONS.

Risk: If left undetected or corrected it could lead to the separation of the fifth wheel top plate from its mounting structure, possibly resulting in a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

IF LEFT UNDETECTED OR CORRECTED IT COULD LEAD TO THE SEPARATION OF THE FIFTH WHEEL TOP PLATE FROM ITS MOUNTING STRUCTURE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will replace the bracket pins and repair instructions free of charge. Peterbilt's owner notification began June 20, 2003. Kenworth's owner notification began June 12, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Peterbilt at 940-591-4201 or Kenworth 425-828-5440.

Peterbilt recall no. 403-C/Kenworth recall no. 03KW4.also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

2003 vs. other Peterbilt 385 years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2003. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2003 Peterbilt 385 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns covering the 2003 Peterbilt 385, the latest from Oct 20, 2003 (steering). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Peterbilt 385?

Few complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Peterbilt 385.