2012 Peterbilt 386
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Peterbilt › 386 › 2012
These records cover every 2012 Peterbilt 386. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
7 recalls name the 2012 Peterbilt 386. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the driver unknowingly operates the vehicle without the ABS functioning, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
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 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.
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…
Risk and remedy
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.
Remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the alternator cable rubs through its insulation, an electrical short may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
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.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the alternator cable rubs through its insulation, an electrical short may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
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.
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…
Risk and remedy
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.
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 1-940-591-4000. Peterbilt's number for this campaign is 1113-F.
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…
Risk and remedy
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.
Remedy
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.
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…
Risk and remedy
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.
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 begin during march 2011. owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.
Owner complaints
2 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Tires
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…
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.
- Unknown or other
I [xxx] , [xxx] 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…
I [xxx] , [xxx] 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 [xxx] prepare a diagnostic test on the truck, it was determined that all the problem that you are having with this truck 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) [xxx] 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)
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Intermittent Loss of Power Steering Assist
On May 1, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE20006 to investigate complaints of intermittent loss of power steering assist in Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), Volvo Trucks of North America (Volvo) and PACCAR vehicles equipped with a ZF/TRW (TRW) THP60 steering gear. The investigation focused…
On May 1, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE20006 to investigate complaints of intermittent loss of power steering assist in Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), Volvo Trucks of North America (Volvo) and PACCAR vehicles equipped with a ZF/TRW (TRW) THP60 steering gear. The investigation focused on 2010-2020 DTNA Freightliner Cascadia, M2 and WST; Volvo VN, VAH and VHD and PACCAR 337, 365, 389, 567, 579 model vehicles.Field reports and interviews with fleet drivers allege that high power steering fluid temperatures could result in internal seal and bearing failures causing pressure fluctuation, affecting left and right-hand turns. The inability of the driver to steer the vehicle as intended can increase the risk of a crash and injury. ODI analyzed data provided by TRW, DTNA, Volvo, and PACCAR in response to individual information request letters.ODI found that most failures occurred within the first two years and/or 50,000 miles of service. The claim rate decreased with time and miles in service and remained less than 0.5%. ODI normalized data from each of the manufacturers and determined that there was not a substantial difference in the failures.Additionally, TRW improved a seal in the steering gear in December 2015.Trucks built on or after 2016 (as 2017 and newer model years) show a decreasing trend of failures. In view of the overall low failure rate, the nature of early-life failure, and failure rate trending downward for model years 2017 and newer, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10188550Information Only Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate. Washer pumps may fail to spray due to a clogged filter.
- 10179370Fix as Fail: Peterbilt has determined that certain model 348, 365, 367, 382, 384, 386, 388, 389, 567, 579, and 587 trucks, built between 4/13/2010 and 3/16/2020 and equipped with a flush mounted battery box, utilized rubber washers that could rub through and cause the aluminum box mounting tabs to rub directly on the steel frame brackets. This could result in cracked battery box mounting angles. Resolution is to add the reinforcement bracket(s) to affected vehicles.
- 10177021Information Only: This bulletin provides dealers with a battery warranty quick reference guide to ensure the appropriate tests for battery warranty are performed in order to prevent battery warranty claims filed with incorrect or incomplete information.
- 10177019Fix as Fail: For all conventional models, except 387/587, equipped with Side-of-Cab (SOC) exhaust and built from 03/6/2006 to 1/20/2020, the clamps that secure the SOC exhaust stacks may not be tightened properly. This may allow the exhaust stack to rotate and contact the cab or sleeper.
- 10176033Information only: Hendrickson Softek front axle maintenance intervals and requirements.
- 10174764Safety Recall Bulletin: Updated with permanent repair path for phase 1 vehicles. The Tractor ABS Lamp May Not Illuminate When ABS Controller Loses Battery and/or Ignition Power. NHTSA recall number is 18V368. Non compliance to FMVSS and CMVSS 121 and 136. Resolution is to Reflash software.
- 10174762Safety Recall Interim Bulletin: The Tractor ABS Lamp May Not Illuminate When ABS Controller Loses Battery and/or Ignition Power. NHTSA recall number is 20V199 Non compliance to FMVSS and CMVSS 121 and 136. Resolution is to Reflash software.
- 10173212Information Only Vehicles may have the connector seals on the wheel speed sensor incorrectly installed, which may lead to water intrusion and corrosion in some vehicles.
- 10173205Information Only: Proper jump-starting voltage will eliminate high voltage related issues and equipment damage.
- 10172036Information Only: Vehicles may have the connector seal on the wheel speed sensor incorrectly installed, which may lead to sensor corrosion.
- 10169787Information Only - Vehicles built with NAMUX software from 2013 to present may experience accuracy issues with the tachometer. The issue can be temporarily resolved using any one of the included procedures.
- 10168703Information Only: This bulletin provides guidance for repairing an air-conditioning system after internal failure of the A/C compressor.
- 10165583Information Only This bulletin provides information about the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Periodic Smoke Inspection Program (PSIP) and Heavy Duty Vehicle Inspection Program (HDVIP).
- 10164375Fix-As-Fail: Two separate causes have been identified as root cause of intermittent low coolant indicator illumination.
- 10162392Information Only - Quick Reference Guide for Electric harness damage repairs.
- 10159674Information Only: Proper instructions for closure of power distribution box cover to prevent corrosion.
- 10154733Information: Bendix ACOM Software version 6.16.5.0 for diagnostics may introduce an unrecoverable error. Notice to dealers to replace this version with older software version until Bendix introduces new version.
- 10143649Information - Recommended Practices for Updating ESA Software
- 10042757Peterbilt: information regarding gap and proper torque allowed on def tank straps. Tank straps have a spring to ensure they remain tight during expansion and contraction of def tank. Straps may look loose but actually are not unless gap IS greater than 1/2 inch between washer and strap.
Every Peterbilt 386 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.