- The problem
- Vehicle description: class 7 and class 8 vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 207, "Seating system," and no. 210, "Seat belt assembly anchorages." Some fasteners used to attach the shoulder belt anchor bracket to the cab structure were omitted during production.
- The risk
- In the event of a crash, the shoulder belt anchorage may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of personal injury.
- The fix
- Dealers will add the necessary fasteners. Owner notification began march 19, 2001. 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 1-940-591-4000.
Vehicle safety record
1996 Peterbilt 385 Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1996 Peterbilt 385 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in February 2001 for the anchorage.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical 385 year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1996 Peterbilt 385 recalls 2
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
- Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with design level 1, rockwell ff980 series front axle. The front axle hub flange can develop cracks due to high stress levels.
- The risk
- Cracks in a hub flange can result in a wheel separation.
- The fix
- Dealers will remove and replace the front hubs with an improved design level 2 hub.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1996 Peterbilt 385 yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Peterbilt 385: every year compared
All 385 years1996 Peterbilt 385 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 Peterbilt 385 | 0 | 2 | C | |
| 1996 Peterbilt Peterbilt | 3 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1996 Peterbilt Conventional | 3 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1996 Peterbilt 379 | 2 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1996 Peterbilt City Deliverys Series | 1 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 1996 Peterbilt 378 | 1 | 2 | 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 1996 Peterbilt 385
Does the 1996 Peterbilt 385 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1996 Peterbilt 385: anchorage (February 2001); hub (November 1997). 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 1996 Peterbilt 385 had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1996 Peterbilt 385 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Peterbilt 385 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.
What should I do if my 1996 Peterbilt 385 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