AutoStatsIQ
Data through Oct 2026
Model year

2009 Peterbilt 387

Heavy truck, diesel, 6x4, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Sep 13, 2008 to Jun 11, 2015.

Recalls (9)Complaints (2)Investigations (1)Bulletins (14)
Recall campaigns covering this model year9708k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints2Close to the median 2009 heavy truck
Severity index0.02009 heavy trucks average 20.0
First 24 months1Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 2009 Peterbilt 387 peaked in 2008, with 1 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

00.250.50.75120081201020122014201620182020202220242026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

50% of complaints about the 2009 Peterbilt 387 name engine and cooling

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Engine and cooling
1
Steering
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

9 recall campaigns cover the 2009 Peterbilt 387

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Recall campaigns for the 2009 Peterbilt 387
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
20V-199Apr 6, 2020In 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 control460,515Software update
15V-132Mar 6, 2015Affected vehicles may be equipped with Tire and Rim Certification Labels that list a tire pressure below the actual correct amountEquipment213,230Label or owner notice
11V-203Mar 24, 2011Degradation of a combustion tube weld can cause radial heat impingement on the body which may burn through certain bodies used on c15 enginesEngine and cooling5,831Part replacement
11V-127Feb 23, 2011Oil 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 system4,664Repair or modification
10V-308Jul 2, 2010Circumferential weld around the steering shaft tube that welds the splined tube to the non-splined tube may be mislocatedSteering9,697Part replacement
09V-258Jul 8, 2009Mislocation of a circumferential weld may allow the splined tube and non-splined tube to rotate relative to one another during a low speed, high…Steering2,096Part replacement
09V-019Jan 16, 2009Aftertreatment regeneration device (ard) may develop a hole and heat and flame may escape during a regeneration of the diesel particulate filterEngine and cooling1,098Inspection
08V-487Sep 23, 2008Inadequate stiffness of the diesel particulate filter (dpf) bracket could result in separation of the dpf from the chassisEngine and cooling4,883Repair or modification
08V-065Feb 7, 2008Certain door latch assemblies on these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 206, 'door locks…Latches and locks6,169Part replacement
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Look up a VIN at NHTSA
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 2009 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.

2 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Jun 11, 2015Failure May 1, 2015400,000 milesStockton, CAEngine

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PETERBILT CONVENTIONAL 387. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DPS FILTER FAILED TO WORK AND THAT THE SYSTEM WAS RUNNING HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO CLEANED THE FILTER, UPDATED THE SOFTWARE TO THE DPF, AND REPROGRAMMED THE DPS SOFTWARE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE SYSTEM INDICATING THAT IT WAS RUNNING HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V203000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10724813
  2. Filed Sep 13, 2008Failure Sep 12, 200847,000 milesModesto, CASteering

    STEERING LINKAGE IS A CRITICAL FAILURE IN THE PETERBILT 387. I HAVE A 2009 MODEL, AND ONLY 4 MONTHS OLD, IT NOW MAKES SCARY POPPING AND CREAKING NOISE. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING FROM OTHER DRIVERS OF THE SAME MODEL VEHICLE, STEERING SEIZES TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT MAKING IT HARD TO BREAK IT LOOSE. MY OPINION IS THAT PACCAR NEEDS TO MODIFY AND IMPROVE THE STEERING COMPONENTS. FOR ME, THE POPPING AND CREAKING NOISE GETS LOUDER AND LOUDER EVERY DAY. I'M THINKING ITS THE MATERIAL USED THAT'S A COMPLETE FAIL. PETERBILT ISN'T WILLING TO HONOR THEIR MISTAKE ON MY TRUCK, TELLING ME THIS IS NORMAL. PLEASE DO LOOK INTO THIS COMPONENT. PEOPLES LIVES ARE AT RISK WHEN IT COMES TO AN 80,000LB ROAD HAZARD. THANKS. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10242045
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

1 NHTSA investigation on file

  • PE10029 Preliminary evaluation, Powertrain
    Driveshaft separates from tractor
    Opened Aug 2, 2010, closed Dec 23, 2010 · led to a recall
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
All investigations
Service bulletins

14 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.
  • 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
  • RN-810-1 Oct 22, 2010 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    PETERBUILT SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. CERTAIN VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN 12/4/09-8/17/10 WERE MANUFACTURED WITH DEFECTIVE INTRUMENTATION SOFTWARE. THE SOFTWARE DEFECT MAY INTERMITTENTLY RESULT IN AN ODOMETER THAT DOES NOT A…
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.
About service bulletins