Peterbilt 387 Recalls & Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA lists 34 safety recalls and 11 owner complaints across 19 model years of the Peterbilt 387 (1998–2016). The most-complained-about year is 2008.
Pick your Peterbilt 387 model year
What Peterbilt 387 owners complain about
Across all model years, owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA. The 2008 model year has the most, with 4.
All Peterbilt 387 recalls (34)
Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Peterbilt 387, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.
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Electronic stability control (esc) and abs warning light (service brakes)
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…
Remedy: 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…
Model years: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
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Labels (equipment) and tires
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2006-2016 Peterbilt 587, 579, 567, 389, 388, 387, 385, 382, 379, 378, 367, 365 and 357 trucks manufactured July 25, 2005, to February 26, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with Tire and Rim Certification Labels that list a tire pressure below the actual correct…
Remedy: Peterbilt will notify owners and mail them a corrected Tire and Rim certification label, free of charge. The recall began on June 19, 2015. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. PACCAR's…
Model years: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
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Software (electrical system)
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…
Remedy: 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…
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Engine and engine cooling
Paccar is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 kenworth c500, t2000, t600, and t660, as well as model year 2009-2011 peterbilt 387 and 388 trucks equipped with caterpillar c15 engine and manufactured from may 11, 2006, through september 17, 2010. Degradation of a combustion tube weld can cause radial heat impingement on the body which…
Remedy: Caterpillar is handling the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Please see caterpillar's defect report 11e-006. Caterpillar will replace the single piece combustion tube with a thick wall combustion tube…
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Tank assembly (fuel system)
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…
Remedy: 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…
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Axle assembly (power train)
Paccar is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 kenworth and peterbilt vehicles manufactured from february 2, 2006 through april 30, 2007. The bearing surfaces of the extended lube universal joint that attaches the inter-axle driveline to the drive axle may become prematurely worn due to breakdown of lubrication and/or excessive heat.…
Remedy: Paccar is working with its supplier to remedy the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during february 2011. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 940-591-4196.
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Gas recirculation valve (egr valve) (engine and engine cooling)
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…
Remedy: 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…
Model years: 2011
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Column (steering)
Paccar is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 trucks equipped with trw steering shafts. The circumferential weld around the steering shaft tube that welds the splined tube to the non-splined tube may be mislocated. Mislocation of the circumferential weld may allow the splined tube and non-splined tube to rotate relative to one…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering shaft using a weld placement gauge provided by trw. Any steering shaft found to have been welded improperly will be replaced free of charge. The safety recall began on july 30, 2010.…
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Column (steering)
Paccar is recalling 2,096 my 2009 kenworth and peterbilt vehicles equipped with trw steering shafts. Mislocation of a circumferential weld may allow the splined tube and non-splined tube to rotate relative to one another during a low speed, high torque turn, possibly resulting in a separation of the two tubes.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering shaft using a weld placement gauge and miswelded steering shaft will be replaced free of charge. The recall began july 31, 2009. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 and…
Model years: 2009
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Diesel (engine and engine cooling)
Paccar is recalling 1098 kenworth my 2008 t800, w900, my 2008-2009 t2000 and peterbilt my 2007-2009 379 and 387 trucks equipped with c15 caterpillar diesel engines. The aftertreatment regeneration device (ard) may develop a hole and heat and flame may escape during a regeneration of the diesel particulate filter.
Remedy: Paccar is working with caterpillar and will inspect and remedy the engines free of charge. Owners may contact caterpillar at 1-800-447-4986, kenworth at 425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 940-591-4196.
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Diesel (engine and engine cooling)
Paccar is recalling 4,883 my 2006-2009 kenworth t600, t660, t800, w900, t2000 and my 2008-2009 peterbilt 365, 367, 379, 384, 386, 387, 388 and 389 trucks. Inadequate stiffness of the diesel particulate filter (dpf) bracket could result in separation of the dpf from the chassis.
Remedy: Paccar is working with caterpillar to repair these vehicles (please see 08e041). Owners may contact caterpillar at 1-800-447-4986 or kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.
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Latch (latches/locks/linkages)
Paccar is recalling 6,169 my 2008 kenworth t300, t660, t800, t2000, w900 and c500 vehicles and my 2008-2009 peterbilt models 365, 367, 384, 387, 388, 389 and 389 kits. Certain door latch assemblies on these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 206, 'door locks and door retention…
Remedy: Paccar is working with trimark and will inspect and replace the door latch if it is found to be defective. The recall began on march 14, 2008. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)
Certain trucks equipped with eaton synflex eclipse brand extruded nylon air brake hose tubing fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 106, "brake hoses." the tubing was manufactured with only four layers of nylon material, instead of the specified five layers.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the air brake hoses and, if necessary, replace the hoses. The recall began on february 22, 2008. Owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or…
Model years: 2008
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Shaft sector (steering)
On certain kenworth and peterbilt heavy duty trucks equipped with tas-85 trw steering gears, the inner surface of the outer sector shaft teeth of the steering gears may have an incorrect involute profile, which may lead to chipping and damage of the gearing system.
Remedy: Dealers will repair and replace any suspect tas-85 steering gear assembly free of charge. The recall began on january 9, 2008. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 940-591-4201.
Model years: 2008
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Tank assembly (fuel system)
On certain peterbilt trucks, the longitudinal seams on the fuel tanks were fabricated using an incorrect weld speed for the given material thickness. This error resulted in a weld which did not completely penetrate the entire material thickness.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace any defective fuel tanks free of charge. The recall began on october 8, 2007. Owners may contact peterbilt at 940-591-4201.
Model years: 2008
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Axle assembly (power train)
On certain trucks, the axle housings may have been manufactured with steel that was out of specification which could result in a fatigue failure over time.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the axles free of charge. The recall began on may 9, 2007. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.
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Fifth wheel assembly (trailer hitches)
On certain trucks, the fifth wheel king pin release air valve internal spool was installed backwards. The air option of the king pin release system would be inoperable. To correct this situation in production, the vehicle's air lines were mistakenly reversed rather than replacing the valve.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the functionality of the king pin release system and suspect valve. If any vehicles have a non-conforming valve or incorrect plumbing, it will be replaced and re-plumbed. The recall began on…
Model years: 2006
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Suspension
On some peterbilt trucks, certain parts used in the air suspensions have a high copper content causing premature failure.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, when necessary, replace the defective parts. The recall began on january 17, 2007. Owners may contact peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.
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Equipment
On certain trucks, when using a cummins electronic icon service tool 2.2, an unintended engine start will occur.
Remedy: Cummins is conducting this recall (please see 06e063000) and will replace the icon service tool 2.2 with a new icon service tool 2.3 free of charge. Owners may contact cummins at 1-800-343-7357 or peterbilt at…
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Engine and engine cooling
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…
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Steering
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…
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Seats
On certain heavy duty trucks, the pivot bolts which hold the seat back frame to the seat cushion frame can loosen and possibly fracture or dislodge, causing the seat back to fail to provide full support to the driver.
Remedy: Gra-mag will provide customers with repair kits which include instructions and parts to repair the seat. Owners should contact gra-mag at 614-875-8435 or peterbilt at 940-591-4201.
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Arm (steering)
On certain trucks equipped with dana spicer integral knuckle and steer arm assemblies, the steer axle assemblies may have a longitudinal crack in the steer arm.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the knuckle and steer arm assemblies. Owner notification began january 5, 2004. Owners should contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 1-940-591-4201.
Model years: 2003
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Fifth wheel assembly (trailer hitches)
On certain trucks equipped with jost international jsk 37u series fifth wheels, a fatigue crack can develop in the bracket pin weld under certain loading conditions.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the bracket pins and repair instructions free of charge. Peterbilt's owner notification began june 20, 2003. Kenworth's owner notification began june 12, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an…
Model years: 2003
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Hub (suspension)
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.
Remedy: 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…
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Hand control/valve (service brakes)
On certain vehicles equipped with bendix tc-7 trailer control hand-operated valve with push-to-connect fittings. The delivery port in the valve body may be partially blocked due to a problem during the molding process.
Remedy: Paccar will notify its customers and inspect and replace, if necessary, the hand valve free of charge. Owner notification began october 18, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon…
Model years: 2002
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Tie rod assembly (steering)
Heavy duty trucks equipped with trw tie rod ends on certain arvinmeritor and dana axles. Peterbilt will recall 1,434 vehicles equipped with arvinmeritor axles manufactured from december 11, 1999, to may 14, 2000, and from july 22 to september 30, 2000. Kenworth will recall 859 vehicles equipped with arvinmeritor vehicles manufactured…
Remedy: Dealers will remove and replace all affected tie rods and drag links with different designed ends. Owner notification began july 15, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon…
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Check valve (service brakes)
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.
Remedy: 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…
Model years: 2001
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Tie rod assembly (steering)
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with trw tie rod ends on certain meritor axles. The tie rod and drag link ball stud ends contain bearings that are below the specified case depth and/or hardness.
Remedy: Dealers will remove and replace all affected tie rods and drag links with different designed ends. Owner notification began october 24, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon…
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Electrical system: wiring
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks. These vehicles are equipped with peterbilt's smartgage system containing a reduced function interface module (rfim). This module receives data from various components/systems on the vehicle then sends the information to a microprocessor. A manufacturing defect in the rfim's can allow water to…
Remedy: The rfim date code will be inspected and all rfim's built prior to september 9, 2000 will be replaced. Owner notification began june 13, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon…
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Tie rod assembly (steering)
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with tie rod assemblies manufactured by trw. The suspect tie rods contain 24-dl model ball sockets. Certain of the tie rod ball-socket bearings have a below-specification case depth and/or hardness, which can lead to premature wear of the socket.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the defective ball sockets and/or drag links. Owner notification began on april 10, 2001, to kenworth owners and on april 25, 2001, to peterbilt owners. Owners who take their vehicles to an…
Model years: 1999
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Mounting (fuel system)
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks. The side fairing hinge bar and mounts can detach from the fuel tank straps. The hinge bar can rotate and separate from the fairing, allowing the hinge bar assembly to fall off of the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will install an additional nut plate and if the bracket is cracked, the fuel tank strap will be replaced with a new strap and bracket assembly.
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Unknown or other
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks. The steer axle mudflaps and/or mudflap stiffeners can rub a hole in the forward surface of the undercab fuel tank, causing a hole in the fuel tank.
Remedy: Dealers will provide replacement mudflap assemblies smaller than the original assemblies to owners and the fuel tank will be checked for abrasion and replaced if damaged.
Model years: 2000
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Pedals and linkages (service brakes)
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks. There is an interference between the throttle pedal and the brake pedal.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the throttle pedal bracket.
Other Peterbilt models
- 37960 complaints
- 57942 complaints
- Peterbilt36 complaints
- 38923 complaints
- 38821 complaints
- 35719 complaints
- 38612 complaints
- 5678 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.