- The problem
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 1990-2020 Peterbilt 320 and 520 vehicles built with specific amber rear turn signals. The turn signals may also light up with the stop/tail lights when the brakes are applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- The risk
- Rear Turn signals that illuminate at the same time as the brake lights may create confusion and impair the effectiveness of the brake lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- PACCAR will notify owners, and for trucks with rear amber lights, dealers will add a jumper harness between the chassis electrical harness and amber tail lights, free of charge. The recall began August 1, 2019. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 19PBC.
Vehicle safety record
2012 Peterbilt 320 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2012 Peterbilt 320 with NHTSA. Those complaints describe 1 fire. It is covered by 5 recalls, the latest in June 2019 for the turn signal. For comparison, the 2011 has 0 and the 2013 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical 320 year, for its age
#360 most complained-about 2012 vehicle
- Complaints
- 1
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
2012 Peterbilt 320 recalls 5
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2010-2016 Kenworth T440, T800, and W900 trucks manufactured August 31, 2009, to April 20, 2015, and 2008-2015 Peterbilt 320, 337, 348, 365, 382, and 384 trucks manufactured July 27, 2007, to April 28, 2015, and equipped with certain Cummins Westport ISL G engines. Excessive engine crankcase pressures may cause the 90-degree elbow of the vent tube assembly to detach from the crankcase ventilation breather, possibly allowing engine oil to come into contact with hot surfaces.
- The risk
- If engine oil comes into contact with a hot surface, there is an increased risk of a fire.
- The fix
- Cummins will notify owners on behalf of PACCAR, and Cummins service centers will administer the repairs which include securing the ends of the 90-degree elbow and reprogramming the electronic control module (ECM) with software that can adjust the engine output under misfire conditions to limit crankcase pressures. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2015. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000, Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000 or Cummins Inc. at 1-800-343-7357. PACCAR's number for this recall is 15KWH and 515-G.
- The problem
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2009-2015 Peterbilt 320, 365, 367, 388, and 389 trucks manufactured July 21, 2008, to February 28, 2014. The front axle tie rod end clamp bolts may be improperly torqued.
- The risk
- Undertorqued tie rod end clamp bolts are susceptible to corrosion, which may cause loose bolts to separate resulting in a loss of vehicle control and an increased risk of a crash.
- The fix
- PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle tie rod assembly on any vehicle where the factory installed assembly has not been previously replaced, free of charge. Owners were mailed interim notices on May 11, 2015. The recall began on April 4, 2016. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 215-C.
- The problem
- Paccar is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 kenworth t170, t270, t370, t440, t470, t660, t700, t800, w900, and peterbilt 320, 330, 337, 348, 365, 367, 382, 384, 386, 388, 389, and 587 vehicles, manufactured from january 31, 2011, through january 19, 2012, and equipped with bendix atr-6 antilock traction relay valves. In extremely cold conditions, these bendix relay valves may potentially develop internal leakage. Internal leakage can lead to air pressure being delivered to affected primary or secondary brake causing continuous brake application.
- The risk
- Unexpected continuous brake application can cause the brakes to overheat and lead to a fire. Unexpected continuous brake application can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Also, the brakes may be applied without illuminating the brake lights, failing to give proper warning to other drivers.
- The fix
- Paccar will notify owners, and provide a temporary repair until bendix develops a permanent remedy. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on february 10, 2012. Owner may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- The discharge of engine oil onto exhaust components which are hot, such as when the engine is under significant load, may cause a fire.
- The fix
- Dealers will re-torque the oil module filter cap and install a secondary retention device on the secondary centrifugal spinner filter cap. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during march 2011. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.
What owners say
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1 complaints about the 2012 Peterbilt 320
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
One armed trash truck fire. Hot hydraulics caught fire from debris hitting them when emptying trash. Very windy and cold day, right after long holiday break - lots of loose wrapping paper and tubes in trash from holidays. The older models have no cover or shield to protect the hot hydraulic lines from flying debris! They also do not have a mirror to see between the cab and the hopper to ensure no debris has landed on hot hydraulics. More recent models have a shield or a cover to protect hydraulic lines from...
Read the full complaint
receiving flying debris and catching fire. I have many more pictures should they be needed that I could not attach. I also need to know where to find information on similar incidents that have occurred in the past, safety recalls and /or alerts that have been published. Need this info asap, as my husband was suspended from work without pay for an "accident"!
Peterbilt 320: every year compared
All 320 years2012 Peterbilt 320 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Peterbilt 320 | 1 | 5 | F | |
| 2012 Peterbilt 386 | 2 | 7 | D | Compare |
| 2012 Peterbilt 389 | 1 | 9 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2012 Peterbilt 320
Does the 2012 Peterbilt 320 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2012 Peterbilt 320: turn signal (June 2019); engine (May 2015); tie rod assembly (February 2015); check valve (January 2012) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 2012 Peterbilt 320 had?
1 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 24, 2018 and the latest on April 24, 2018. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2012 Peterbilt 320 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 21 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Peterbilt 320 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Peterbilt 320 years have the most complaints?
1989 (1), 2010 (1), 2012 (1). See every Peterbilt 320 year compared.
What should I do if my 2012 Peterbilt 320 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data