AutoStatsIQ
Data through Oct 2026
Model line

Peterbilt 388

Every Peterbilt 388 model year on file, 2004 to 2021. Pick a year for its recalls, investigations, service bulletins and the full text of owner complaints.

Owner complaints, all model years217 involved a crash, fire, injury or death
Model years182004 to 2021
Recall campaigns30Distinct campaigns listing it
Service bulletins342Summed across model years
By model year

The 2014 model year drew the most complaints, 17, 81% of the model's total

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, all years filed, by model year.

0510152020042006200820102012201417201620182021
Source: NHTSA ODI. Complaints are not verified by NHTSA, and NHTSA publishes no sales volumes, so counts are not rates.
Components

Tires leads the Peterbilt 388 complaint record

Owner complaints across all model years, by component.

Tires
14
Wheels
11
Structure
4
Electrical system
2
Engine and cooling
2
Fuel system
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Model years

The record for each Peterbilt 388 model year

Peer index compares complaints with the median vehicle of the same model year and body class (100 is the median). It corrects for age, not for how many were sold.

Peterbilt 388 by model year
YearBodyComplaintsSeverity indexPeer indexRecallsInvestigationsBulletins
2021Not decoded0NoneNone0014
2020Not decoded0NoneNone0019
2019Not decoded0NoneNone1119
2018Not decoded0NoneNone1121
2017Not decoded0NoneNone1123
2016Not decoded0NoneNone3027
2015Heavy truck30.0757027
2014Heavy truck1741.28508024
2013Not decoded0NoneNone9019
2012Heavy truck10.05010118
2011Not decoded0NoneNone11123
2010Not decoded0NoneNone11120
2009Not decoded0NoneNone15215
2008Not decoded0NoneNone17318
2007Not decoded0NoneNone7216
2006Not decoded0NoneNone2013
2005Not decoded0NoneNone1013
2004Not decoded0NoneNone1013
Source: NHTSA ODI. Body class from NHTSA's VIN decoder where decoded.
Latest recalls

Recent campaigns covering the Peterbilt 388

  • 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 · 461k vehicles
  • 15V-889 Dec 31, 2015
    Affected vehicles were built with Michelin MN295/60 R22.5 XZA front tires and 8.25" wheels and were certified to a GAWR greater than the maximum…
    Tires · 15 vehicles
  • 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 vehicles
  • 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 vehicles
  • 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 · 213k vehicles
  • 15V-108 Feb 24, 2015
    Front axle tie rod end clamp bolts may be improperly torqued
    Steering · 5,141 vehicles
  • 14V-283 May 29, 2014
    In the affected vehicles, if power is interrupted to the seat electronic control unit (ECU), such as when the fuse for that circuit blows, the…
    Airbags · 1,705 vehicles
  • 14V-145 Mar 25, 2014
    Affected vehicles were built with 16.5" x 7" front drum brakes and Bendix ES-420 brake linings installed on front axles rated to carry between…
    Brakes · 474 vehicles
  • 14V-013 Jan 24, 2014
    When the button is pressed to release the seat belt, the latch plate can become partially engaged with the buckle, making the seat belt difficult…
    Seat belts · 10k vehicles
  • 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 vehicles
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.