Complaints over time
Complaints about the 2008 Peterbilt 387 peaked in 2015, with 2 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
2008 Peterbilt 387
Heavy truck, 6x4, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Feb 5, 2009 to Oct 15, 2015.
Recall campaigns covering this model year14721k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints42.0 times the median 2008 heavy truck
Severity index0.02008 heavy trucks average 12.5
First 24 months1Complaints in its first two years
Components
75% of complaints about the 2008 Peterbilt 387 name engine and cooling
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
14 recall campaigns cover the 2008 Peterbilt 387
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-132 | Mar 6, 2015 | Affected vehicles may be equipped with Tire and Rim Certification Labels that list a tire pressure below the actual correct amount | Equipment | 213,230 | Label or owner notice |
| 11V-380 | Jul 21, 2011 | Fast idle control may be activated by the operator while the transmission is in gear | Electrical system | 211 | Software update |
| 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 |
| 10V-634 | Dec 13, 2010 | Bearing surfaces of the extended lube universal joint that attaches the inter-axle driveline to the drive axle may become prematurely worn due to… | Powertrain | 12,873 | Not stated |
| 10V-308 | Jul 2, 2010 | Circumferential weld around the steering shaft tube that welds the splined tube to the non-splined tube may be mislocated | Steering | 9,697 | Part replacement |
| 09V-019 | Jan 16, 2009 | Aftertreatment regeneration device (ard) may develop a hole and heat and flame may escape during a regeneration of the diesel particulate filter | Engine and cooling | 1,098 | Inspection |
| 08V-487 | Sep 23, 2008 | Inadequate stiffness of the diesel particulate filter (dpf) bracket could result in separation of the dpf from the chassis | Engine and cooling | 4,883 | Repair or modification |
| 08V-065 | Feb 7, 2008 | Certain door latch assemblies on these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 206, 'door locks… | Latches and locks | 6,169 | Part replacement |
| 08V-002 | Jan 8, 2008 | Certain trucks equipped with eaton synflex eclipse brand extruded nylon air brake hose tubing fail to comply with the requirements of federal… | Brakes | 2,794 | Part replacement |
| 07V-591 | Dec 20, 2007 | 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… | Steering | 559 | Part replacement |
| 07V-409 | Sep 10, 2007 | On certain peterbilt trucks, the longitudinal seams on the fuel tanks were fabricated using an incorrect weld speed for the given material thickness | Fuel system | 319 | Part replacement |
| 07V-132 | Mar 22, 2007 | On certain trucks, the axle housings may have been manufactured with steel that was out of specification which could result in a fatigue failure… | Powertrain | 245 | Part replacement |
| 06V-490 | Dec 21, 2006 | On some peterbilt trucks, certain parts used in the air suspensions have a high copper content causing premature failure | Suspension | 3,246 | Part replacement |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 2008 Peterbilt 387
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.
4 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed Oct 15, 2015Failure Aug 2, 2015Haslet, TXPower train, Service brakes
BEFORE THE ABOVE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED, OF NOTE IS THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, AS WELL AS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF SAME TRUCK. FUSSELL TRUCK SALES RESET THE ENGINE LIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015. I PLACED VEHICLE ON A DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER ON TODAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH, 2015, AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT WAS ON DUE TO A NEED TO UNDERLYING NEED FOR A FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND REGENT SYSTEM , WHICH DOES NOT RESOLVE THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2015, AND HAS A 30-DAY WARRANTY, AND I AM EXERCISING MY RIGHTS TO SURRENDER THE ABOVED MENTIONED VEHICLE AS UNSAFE AND A DANGER TO PUBLIC HEALTH. THIS TRUCK DOES NOT COMPLY WITH NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY REGULATIONS.
NHTSA complaint 10782295 - Filed Jun 18, 2015Failure Apr 24, 2013300,000 milesStockenton, CAEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PETERBILT 387. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DPF MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND THE VEHICLE TO STALL. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND HAD BEEN SERVICED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE ENTIRE DPF SYSTEM WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000.
NHTSA complaint 10725891 - Filed Jul 28, 2014Failure Jun 24, 2013695,000 milesBakersfield, CAElectrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system
FIRST, MY TURBO WENT OUT JUNE24TH 2014. SECOND THE D.P.F FILTER AND SENSORS. I ONLY HAD THE TRUCK FOR 90DAYS AND ALREADY SPENT OVER 9000 DOLLARS ON IT. *JS
NHTSA complaint 10617036 - Filed Feb 5, 2009Failure Nov 5, 200780,000 milesHialeah, FLEngine
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PETERBILT 387. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DPS INJECTORS WOULD NOT REGENERATE ON THE VEHICLE. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY DECELERATE. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND THEY STATED THAT THE DIESEL ENGINE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V019000(ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL) AND IS CURRENTLY WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000.
NHTSA complaint 10257574
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
3 NHTSA investigations on file
- PE10029 Preliminary evaluation, Powertrain
Driveshaft separates from tractor
Opened Aug 2, 2010, closed Dec 23, 2010 · led to a recall - EA09008 Engineering analysis, Engine and cooling
Horton Fan Hub Failures
Opened May 29, 2009, closed Aug 27, 2010 - PE09002 Preliminary evaluation, Engine and cooling
HORTON FAN HUB FAILURES
Opened Jan 5, 2009, closed May 29, 2009
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
18 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." - 1210F Oct 1, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
1210F - SPL 170XL Interaxle Driveline Warranty section has been updated with descriptions of Recommended Repairs and an updated PRWS Claim Coding table has been added. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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 - 8110 Aug 1, 2010 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
CUMMINS ISX, OR CUMMINS ISM ENGINES EXPERIENCING A PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE FAN HUB BEARINGS. *KB - FRN-808-1 Oct 17, 2008 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
PETERBILT TRUCKS: THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MAY SHUT DOWN DUE TO A POWER SURGE. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE GREEN LIGHT ON THE COMFORTCLASS CONTROL PANEL TURNS TO RED. *PE - 808-4 Sep 12, 2008 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
PETERBILT TRUCKS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. CERTAIN PETERBILT TRUCKS MANUFACTURED WITH UNDER TORQUED BRAKE ASSEMBLY MOUNTING BOLTS ON HENDRICKSON 8,000 LB PUSHER AXLES. CSC LETTER WAS RECEIVED. *PE - 608-1 Aug 15, 2008 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
PETERBILT: TRUCKS BUILT WITH CUMMINS ISL ENGINES BETWEEN 1/16/08-6/10/08. DUE TO A MATERIAL ERROR, CERTAIN VEHICLES ORDERED WITH OPTIONAL C-BRAKE BY CUMMINS (OPTION CODE NUMBER 2812140) DID NOT RECEIVE A C-BRAKE ON THE ENGINE. *PE
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.