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Vehicle safety record

2011 Peterbilt 386 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2011 Peterbilt 386 with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (1). Those complaints describe 1 fire. It is covered by 6 recalls, the latest in April 2020 for the electronic stability control (ESC). For comparison, the 2010 has 1 and the 2012 has 2.

NHTSA data checked

DMore problems than a typical 386 year, for its age

#343 most complained-about 2011 vehicle

Complaints
1
Recalls
6
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Most common 2011 Peterbilt 386 problems

Share of all 1 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2011 Peterbilt 386 recalls 6

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

Electronic stability control (ESC)

20V199000460,515 vehicles affected

The problem
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."
The risk
If the driver unknowingly operates the vehicle without the ABS functioning, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
The fix
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will update the NAMUX software within the cab control module, free of charge. PACCAR issued owners an interim notification on June 4, 2020. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 20pbc AND 20KWB.

Electrical system: alternator / generator / regulator

15V2700001,494 vehicles affected

The problem
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Kenworth T660, T680, T880 trucks manufactured February 18, 2013, to April 10, 2015, and 2011-2016 Peterbilt 386, 389, 567, 579, and 587 trucks manufactured December 13, 2010, to April 20, 2015. The affected trucks, equipped with PACCAR MX-13 engines and Delco-Remy 40SI alternators, have alternator charge cables that may chafe against a formed metal freon discharge line.
The risk
If the alternator cable rubs through its insulation, an electrical short may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the alternator charge cable away from the metal freon line, free of charge. PACCAR issued an interim notification to owners on July 10, 2015. The recall began on September 16, 2015. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 15KWE and 515-F.

Equipment: labels

13V593000561 vehicles affected

The 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."
The 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.
The fix
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.

Electrical system: software

11V380000211 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The risk
If the fast idle control function is engaged with the transmission in gear, the vehicle could unexpectedly accelerate and override the parking brake and , creating a risk of a crash and damage to other vehicles or property and the potential for injury to nearby pedestrians.
The fix
Kenworth and peterbilt dealers will update the engine software for the affected chassis. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on august 22, 2011. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.

Fuel system: tank assembly

11V1270004,664 vehicles affected

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.
The problem
Paccar is recalling certain model year kenworth and peterbilt vehicles. A manufacturing defect in the seal supplied by a component manufacturer installed on the output shaft of the exhaust gas recirculation (egr) valve actuator may cause eventual delamination of the seal. Delamination of the seal may allow engine oil to leak from the egr valve onto exhaust components.
The risk
The leaking of engine oil onto hot exhaust components, such as when the engine is under significant load, may create the possibility of a fire.
The fix
Dealers will replace the egr valve assembly on the subject vehicles equipped with the paccar mx engine. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 29, 2010. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 940-591-4196.

What owners say

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1 complaints about the 2011 Peterbilt 386

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Electrical systemFire

Upon an fire investigation on this peterbilt the secondary power wire coming from the starter shorted out against the engine block or ground wire. As the investigation is still early I will have a better idea in a few days. I'm a heavy equipment appraiser and this is one of my fleets that I look after. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10536932

Peterbilt 386: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20150300-B
20140500-C
20131600Engine & coolingC
20122700Wheels & tiresD
20111601Electrical systemD
20101500Visibility & wipersC
200911000-D
200841400Engine & coolingF
20071801BrakesD
All 386 years

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Questions about the 2011 Peterbilt 386

Does the 2011 Peterbilt 386 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2011 Peterbilt 386: electronic stability control (ESC) (April 2020); alternator / generator / regulator (May 2015); labels (November 2013); software (July 2011) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Peterbilt 386?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (1).

How many complaints has the 2011 Peterbilt 386 had?

1 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on August 23, 2013 and the latest on August 23, 2013. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2011 Peterbilt 386 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 38 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Peterbilt 386 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 386 years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 2011 Peterbilt 386 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

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