Complaints over time
Complaints about the 2012 Peterbilt 386 peaked in 2023, with 1 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Model year
2012 Peterbilt 386
Heavy truck, diesel, 6x4, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Aug 9, 2023 to Aug 26, 2024.
Recall campaigns covering this model year7485k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints2Close to the median 2012 heavy truck
Severity index0.02012 heavy trucks average 22.5
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Components
50% of complaints about the 2012 Peterbilt 386 name tires
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls
7 recall campaigns cover the 2012 Peterbilt 386
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20V-199 | Apr 6, 2020 | In the event that the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) loses battery and/or ignition power to the controller, the dash warning light for the ABS may… | Stability and traction control | 460,515 | Software update |
| 15V-740 | Nov 9, 2015 | Affected trucks are equipped with Michelin 295/60R22.5 XZA-2 front tires that have a speed rating less than the vehicle is governed to | Tires | 1,876 | Software update |
| 15V-456 | Jul 22, 2015 | Affected trucks, equipped with extended-body Leece Neville alternators, have alternator charge cables that may chafe against a formed metal freon… | Electrical system | 288 | Repair or modification |
| 15V-270 | May 8, 2015 | Affected trucks, equipped with PACCAR MX-13 engines and Delco-Remy 40SI alternators, have alternator charge cables that may chafe against a formed… | Electrical system | 1,494 | Repair or modification |
| 13V-593 | Nov 25, 2013 | Affected vehicles may be missing required information from the certification label, specifically the tag or pusher axle the gross axle weight… | Equipment | 561 | Part replacement |
| 12V-026 | Jan 30, 2012 | In extremely cold conditions, these bendix relay valves may potentially develop internal leakage | Brakes | 15,932 | Repair or modification |
| 11V-127 | Feb 23, 2011 | Oil module centrifugal spinner filter cap in the paccar mx engine may become loose, possibly allowing the cap to come off and engine oil to… | Fuel system | 4,664 | Repair or modification |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 2012 Peterbilt 386
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
2 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed Aug 26, 2024Failure Aug 19, 2024800 milesPlainfield, ILTires
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.
NHTSA complaint 11610862 - Filed Aug 9, 2023Failure May 24, 2023Oakley, CAUnknown 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 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)
NHTSA complaint 11537499
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
1 NHTSA investigation on file
- PE20006 Preliminary evaluation, Steering
Intermittent Loss of Power Steering Assist
Opened May 1, 2020, closed Mar 27, 2024
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
20 manufacturer communications cover this model year
Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.
- P001 Sep 11, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"Kenworth: Dealers should check the chassis list and SIR weekly for VIN changes. 2 chassis added to the chassis list. Peterbilt: Dealers should check the chassis list and SIR weekly for VIN changes. 10 chassis added to the chassis list." - 02-160 Feb 10, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Information Only – Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate. Washer pumps may fail to spray due to a clogged filter. - 02-158 Aug 25, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Fix 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 a… - 32-015 Jun 8, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Information 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. - 43-067 Jun 10, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Fix 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 rota… - 11-001 May 29, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Information only: Hendrickson Softek front axle maintenance intervals and requirements. - 18PBB Apr 30, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Safety 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… - 20 PBC Apr 15, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Safety 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. - 34-085 Mar 3, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Information 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. - 32-016 Mar 17, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Information Only: Proper jump-starting voltage will eliminate high voltage related issues and equipment damage. - 34-085 Feb 28, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Information Only: Vehicles may have the connector seal on the wheel speed sensor incorrectly installed, which may lead to sensor corrosion. - 03-071 Dec 18, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Information 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. - 01-075 Nov 6, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Information Only: This bulletin provides guidance for repairing an air-conditioning system after internal failure of the A/C compressor. - TIB43-062 Sep 27, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Information Only â“ This bulletin provides information about the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Periodic Smoke Inspection Program (PSIP) and Heavy Duty Vehicle Inspection Program (HDVIP). - 42-058 Aug 23, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Fix-As-Fail: Two separate causes have been identified as root cause of intermittent low coolant indicator illumination. - 34-066 Jun 10, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Information Only - Quick Reference Guide for Electric harness damage repairs. - 34-077 Apr 8, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Information Only: Proper instructions for closure of power distribution box cover to prevent corrosion. - 13-049 Jan 4, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Information: 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. - 03-064 Jul 23, 2018 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Information - Recommended Practices for Updating ESA Software - SB-10-11 Nov 10, 2011 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
PETERBILT: 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 …
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.