RecallMyCar

2005 Peterbilt 385 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

4 safety recalls list the 2005 Peterbilt 385. Check your own VIN below.

4
safety recalls
0
owner complaints to NHTSA

4 safety recalls for the 2005 Peterbilt 385

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Labels (equipment)

    NHTSA 13V593000 Reported 561 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR Incorporated

    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,…

    Remedy: 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…

  2. Trailer hitches

    NHTSA 07V269000 Reported 9,571 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR INCORPORATED

    On certain trucks, the removable tow hitch ,when used to tow or lift a vehicle, can fail due to defective material in the tow hitch.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the tow pin assembly free of charge. The recall began on september 4, 2007. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 940-591-4201.

  3. Engine and engine cooling

    NHTSA 05V570000 Reported 30,995 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR INCORPORATED

    On certain tractors equipped with caterpillar diesel engines, the variable valve actuation oil line may wear against the sharp edge of the cylinder head if not positioned correctly.

    Remedy: Caterpillar, in conjunction with paccar, will be conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign free of charge. Owners may call caterpillar at 309-675-6496, kenworth at 425-828-5440, or peterbilt at…

  4. Steering

    NHTSA 05V543000 Reported 241 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR INCORPORATED

    On certain trucks equipped with the bendix electronic stability control (esp) system, the system uses multiple sensors and an electronic control unit (ECU) to control vehicle under steer, over-steer, and rollover situations. The system relies on vehicle sensors to be functioning and aligned properly. The steering angle sensor has the…

    Remedy: Because of the immediate and substantial risk, kenworth and peterbilt dealers will first deactivate the yaw control feature of the bendix esp system preventing inadvertent esp activation. When parts are available, the…

No owner complaints on file

NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 2005 Peterbilt 385. 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 385 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Peterbilt 385 model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1996 Peterbilt 38520
1997 Peterbilt 38510
1998 Peterbilt 38530
1999 Peterbilt 38570
2000 Peterbilt 38570
2001 Peterbilt 38550
2002 Peterbilt 38520
2003 Peterbilt 38530
2004 Peterbilt 38520
2005 Peterbilt 38540
2006 Peterbilt 38550
2007 Peterbilt 38570
2008 Peterbilt 38570
2009 Peterbilt 38540
2010 Peterbilt 38520
2011 Peterbilt 38520
2012 Peterbilt 38520
2013 Peterbilt 38520
2014 Peterbilt 38510
2015 Peterbilt 38510
2016 Peterbilt 38510

Checking a specific 2005 Peterbilt 385

How do I know if my 2005 Peterbilt 385 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 2005 Peterbilt 385; 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 05V543000).

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

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.