2005 Peterbilt 386 recalls and problems

The 2005 Peterbilt 386 has 4 recalls and 1 owner complaint on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is engine.

How the 2005 compares

High

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

High complaint count among 8 386 model years — 3rd most.

4recalls

1complaints

0crashes

0fires

0injuries

435,000median 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.

Check your VIN →

4 recalls

Equipment

Nov 25, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V593000 · 561 vehicles

Problem: 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."

Risk: As a result, the axles may be overloaded or the wrong tires could be installed or the tires could be improperly inflated. All of these issues increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy & notes

Peterbilt will notify owners and dealers will inspect and replace the certification labels missing the necessary information. The recall is expected to begin in January 2014. Customers can contact Peterbilt at 1-940-591-4000. Peterbilt's number for this campaign is 1113-F.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Trailer Hitches

Jun 26, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V269000 · 9,571 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Risk: If the tow hitch assembly fails while a vehicle is being towed or lifted, it May cause an accident that could result in personal injury or death.

Original NHTSA wording

IF THE TOW HITCH ASSEMBLY FAILS WHILE A VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED OR LIFTED, IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will replace the tow pin assembly free of charge. The recall began on September 4, 2007. Owners May contact Kenworth at 425-828-5440 or Peterbilt at 940-591-4201.

Peterbilt recall no.507E and Kenworth recall no. 07KWA.customers May contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Fuel System

Apr 10, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V153000 · 306 vehicles

Problem: On certain trucks, if the ignition switch is turned on prior to initial start up in the manufacturing plant or during the filter replacement in the field, a small flame will ignite when the fuel is added to prime the system.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, IF THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED ON PRIOR TO INITIAL START UP IN THE MANUFACTURING PLANT OR DURING THE FILTER REPLACEMENT IN THE FIELD, A SMALL FLAME WILL IGNITE WHEN THE FUEL IS ADDED TO PRIME THE SYSTEM.

Risk: The possibility exists for the flame to spread resulting in possible equipment damage or physical injury.

Original NHTSA wording

THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS FOR THE FLAME TO SPREAD RESULTING IN POSSIBLE EQUIPMENT DAMAGE OR PHYSICAL INJURY.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will inspect the filter for the date codes of the suspect filters and replace those heating elements free of charge. The recall began on March 21, 2007. Owners May contact Kenworth at 425-828-5440 and Peterbilt at 940-591-4201.

Kenworth recall no. 07KW5 & Peterbilt recall no. 307D.customers May contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Power Train

Mar 22, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V132000 · 245 vehicles

Problem: On certain trucks, the axle housings May have been manufactured with steel that was out of specification which could result in a fatigue failure over time.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE AXLE HOUSINGS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH STEEL THAT WAS OUT OF SPECIFICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FATIGUE FAILURE OVER TIME.

Risk: If a fatigue failure occurs and is left unattended, the axle May lock up or the end of the axle could come off, which May result in a vehicle crash.

Original NHTSA wording

IF A FATIGUE FAILURE OCCURS AND IS LEFT UNATTENDED, THE AXLE MAY LOCK UP OR THE END OF THE AXLE COULD COME OFF, WHICH MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will inspect and replace the axles free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2007. Owners May contact Kenworth at 425-828-5440 and Peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.

Kenworth recall no. 07KW4 & Peterbilt recall no. 107C.customers May contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Engine1

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

2005 vs. other Peterbilt 386 years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2005. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2005 Peterbilt 386 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns covering the 2005 Peterbilt 386, the latest from Nov 25, 2013 (equipment). 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 2005 Peterbilt 386?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention engine (1). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.