1981 Peterbilt 362 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
4 safety recalls list the 1981 Peterbilt 362. Check your own VIN below.
4 safety recalls for the 1981 Peterbilt 362
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Anchorage (seat belts)
Single thickness tether safety belts can break under the stresses created during a vehicle crash. The safety belts do not comply with FMVSS 207 and 210.
Remedy: Replace single thickness tether safety belts with double thickness tether belts.
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Frame and members (structure)
Some of the involved vehicles may develop cracks in the front extension of the frame rail due to discrepancies involving the location of a weld stud. In this condition, the frame extension could separate.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect existing frame extentions and, if necessary, replace them at no cost to owner.
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Electrical (equipment)
A possibility exists that if the cigarette lighter is depressed, engaging the heating element, lighter may not automatically "pop out" or disengage. As a result, the heating element may continue to heat to higher than normal temperatures.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the lighter without charge.
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Windshield (visibility)
Some vehicles may have been manufactured with a windshield mask having too large an opening which was not angled correctly. The top of the windshield could come out of the rubber molding, allowing the windshield glass to shift back approximately one inch.
Remedy: All involved vehicles will have the mask reformed and a bracket will be added to ensure the retention of the windshield.
No owner complaints on file
NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1981 Peterbilt 362. For context, the average model year in NHTSA's database has dozens; a zero can mean a reliable vehicle, a rare one, or both.
Compare Peterbilt 362 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Peterbilt 362 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 Peterbilt 362 | 4 | 0 |
| 1982 Peterbilt 362 | 3 | 0 |
| 1983 Peterbilt 362 | 1 | 0 |
| 1988 Peterbilt 362 | 1 | 0 |
| 1999 Peterbilt 362 | 4 | 0 |
| 2000 Peterbilt 362 | 3 | 0 |
| 2001 Peterbilt 362 | 2 | 0 |
| 2003 Peterbilt 362 | 1 | 0 |
Checking a specific 1981 Peterbilt 362
How do I know if my 1981 Peterbilt 362 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 1981 Peterbilt 362; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Peterbilt dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 81V054000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Peterbilt models
- 37960 complaints
- 57942 complaints
- Peterbilt36 complaints
- 38923 complaints
- 38821 complaints
- 35719 complaints
- 38612 complaints
- 38711 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.