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Vehicle safety record

2001 Peterbilt 387 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2001 Peterbilt 387 with NHTSA, most often about the brakes (1) and the suspension (1). Those complaints describe 1 fire. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in April 2003 for the hub. For comparison, the 2000 has 0 and the 2002 has 0.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical 387 year, for its age

#347 most complained-about 2001 vehicle

Complaints
2
Recalls
2
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Most common 2001 Peterbilt 387 problems

Share of all 2 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2001 Peterbilt 387 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

Suspension: hub

03V125000154 vehicles affected

The problem
On certain trucks equipped with truck hub units manufactured by skf exclusively for use on arvinmeritor's ff98x series non-drive steer axles, the hub unit bearings can wear prematurely.
The risk
Seizure of the bearings can cause wheel separation or wheel end fire.
The fix
Dealers will replace all front axle hubs. Notification began july 16, 2003. The manufacturer has advised us that parts will not be available until september 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy with a reasonable time should contact peterbilt at 940-591-4201 or kenworth 425-828-5440.

Service brakes: check valve

02V0180012,302 vehicles affected

The problem
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with meritor wabco pneumatic anitlock brake system (abs) valve packages, the assembly bolts on these valve packages were not tightened correctly.
The risk
Bolts torqued below specification will not reliably prevent air leakage at the affected abs valve package interface joints once the component begins normal vehicle operation. If air leaks develop at any of the abs valve package interface joints, brake system pressure reductions could occur during braking or normal operation with units equipped with the traction control option, potentially extending stopping distances, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix
Dealers will tighten the fasteners to the proper specification. Owner notification began february 15, 2002. 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 kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 1-940-591-4201.

What owners say

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2 complaints about the 2001 Peterbilt 387

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

BrakesFire

Vehicle caught fire suddenly while traveling on the interstate, the investigation revealed that the fire resulted from a brake drum failure causing a tire fire which spread through the vehicle resulting in a total loss of tractor, an investigation revealed that manufacturer was aware defects such as electrical and brake mishaps.(Attorney on behalf of client)*yd

Filed Incident Service brakes, airNHTSA 562231
Suspension

Suspension was wrong type, and vehicle made to pull trailer. Trailer height was 13'9, " not legal 13'6". Dealer would not take vehicle back, consumer traded vehicle.*Ak

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 884591

Peterbilt 387: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20052400BrakesD
20041300Body, doors & structureC
20030200-B
20020200-B
20012201BrakesC
20000700-D
19990700-D
19980100-A
All 387 years

2001 Peterbilt 387 vs rivals

VehicleComplaintsRecallsCrashesGrade
2001 Peterbilt 387220C
2001 Peterbilt 379640FCompare
2001 Peterbilt 377210CCompare
2001 Peterbilt Peterbilt100ACompare

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.

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Questions about the 2001 Peterbilt 387

Does the 2001 Peterbilt 387 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2001 Peterbilt 387: hub (April 2003); check valve (January 2002). 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 2001 Peterbilt 387?

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

How many complaints has the 2001 Peterbilt 387 had?

2 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on March 29, 2001 and the latest on July 24, 2001. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2001 Peterbilt 387 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Peterbilt 387 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 387 years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 2001 Peterbilt 387 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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