- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2012 Peterbilt 386 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2012 Peterbilt 386 with NHTSA, most often about the wheels & tires (1). It is covered by 7 recalls, the latest in April 2020 for the electronic stability control (ESC). For comparison, the 2011 has 1 and the 2013 has 1.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical 386 year, for its age
#303 most complained-about 2012 vehicle
- Complaints
- 2
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2012 Peterbilt 386 problems
Share of all 2 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2012 Peterbilt 386 recalls 7
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 2009-2010 Peterbilt 340, 2010, 2012, and 2015-2016 Peterbilt 337, 2010 Peterbilt 335, 2011-2016 Peterbilt 348, 2009 and 2011-2016 Peterbilt 365, 2009 and 2012-2013 Peterbilt 386, 2009-2015 Peterbilt 388, 2015-2016 Peterbilt 389, and 2015 Peterbilt 567 auto hauler vehicles. The affected trucks are equipped with Michelin 295/60R22.5 XZA-2 front tires that have a speed rating less than the vehicle is governed to.
- The risk
- Higher vehicle speeds and other factors such as tire load and road temperatures may result in premature tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Peterbilt will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the engine's vehicle speed parameters to limit the maximum vehicle speed to the tire speed rating, free of charge. The recall began on January 4, 2016. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. PACCAR's number for this recall is 1115P.
- The problem
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Peterbilt 365, 367, 384, 386, 388, 389, 567, 579, and 587 trucks manufactured January 13, 2011, to April 20, 2015. The affected trucks, equipped with extended-body Leece Neville 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
- Peterbilt will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the alternator charge cable away from the metal freon line and install a plastic insulator on the cable end, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2015. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. Peterbilt's number for this recall is 715-K.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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2 complaints about the 2012 Peterbilt 386
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
The contact owns a 2012 Peterbilt 386 equipped with Kelly Tires, Tire Line: Armor Steel RSA2, Tire Size: 295/75/R22.5, DOT Number: 04N37XETW. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the tread separated from the front driver's side tire core. The contact stated that the tire was a replacement tire. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The tire failure mileage was approximately 800. The vehicle failure mileage was unknown.
I [[redacted]] , [[redacted]] I purchase three (3) trucks from ritchie brother auction in georgia on 3/23/2023 (1) 2012 freightliner truck was locate in georgia, and two trucks was locate in chehalis wa (1) 2012 peterbilt (1) 2016 freightliner. The 2012 peterbilt was a problem from the start (see attach repairs) the truck was towed to peterbilt in salem or, the service advisor: micheal [[redacted]] prepare a diagnostic test on the truck, it was determined that all the problem that you are having with this truck...
Read the full complaint
is the def system has been erased, this def system can't be tamper with, sale or purchase a truck without a def system acivity working on all trucks on the road the chief operation officer (coo) [[redacted]] sr, had contact with that branch of ritchie brothers in chehalis wa, talking to them about sale a truck with a default missing erased def system we have been trying to get full restitution concering this truck. I'm requesting a full investigation on ritiches brothers selling faulty trucks and severely fine the company for failure to comply with the emission law information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Peterbilt 386: every year compared
All 386 years2012 Peterbilt 386 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Peterbilt 386 | 2 | 7 | D | |
| 2012 Peterbilt 320 | 1 | 5 | F | 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 386
Does the 2012 Peterbilt 386 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2012 Peterbilt 386: electronic stability control (ESC) (April 2020); tires (November 2015); alternator / generator / regulator (July 2015); alternator / generator / regulator (May 2015) 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 2012 Peterbilt 386?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the wheels & tires (1).
How many complaints has the 2012 Peterbilt 386 had?
2 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on August 9, 2023 and the latest on August 26, 2024. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2012 Peterbilt 386 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 34 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?
2008 (4), 2012 (2), 2005 (1). See every Peterbilt 386 year compared.
What should I do if my 2012 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