Model year

2008 Peterbilt 388

Body and fuel not decoded. Owner complaints on file from no date to no date.

Recall campaigns covering this model year17721k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints0Not enough peers on file
Severity indexNoneCrash, fire, injury or death per 100
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 2008 Peterbilt 388 by year filed

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

No campaigns match these filters.Reset filters
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

Complaints by component

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

No campaigns match these filters.Reset filters
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

17 recall campaigns cover the 2008 Peterbilt 388

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 2008 Peterbilt 388
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
14V-145Mar 25, 2014Affected 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…Brakes474Repair or modification
13V-593Nov 25, 2013Affected vehicles may be missing required information from the certification label, specifically the tag or pusher axle the gross axle weight…Equipment561Part replacement
11V-380Jul 21, 2011Fast idle control may be activated by the operator while the transmission is in gearElectrical system211Software update
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-634Dec 13, 2010Bearing surfaces of the extended lube universal joint that attaches the inter-axle driveline to the drive axle may become prematurely worn due to…Powertrain12,873Not stated
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
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-104Mar 10, 2008Pintle hitch assemblies may have been manufactured in a manner resulting in a reduction of fatigue strength of the pivot pinsTrailer hitches318Part replacement
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
08V-002Jan 8, 2008Certain trucks equipped with eaton synflex eclipse brand extruded nylon air brake hose tubing fail to comply with the requirements of federal…Brakes2,794Part replacement
07V-591Dec 20, 2007On certain kenworth and peterbilt heavy duty trucks equipped with tas-85 trw steering gears, the inner surface of the outer sector shaft teeth of…Steering559Part replacement
07V-409Sep 10, 2007On certain peterbilt trucks, the longitudinal seams on the fuel tanks were fabricated using an incorrect weld speed for the given material thicknessFuel system319Part replacement
07V-287Jul 5, 2007On certain trucks built with cummins ism c876 engines, the electronic control module fails to recognize inputs of the vehicle electronic control…Engine and cooling618Software update
07V-132Mar 22, 2007On certain trucks, the axle housings may have been manufactured with steel that was out of specification which could result in a fatigue failure…Powertrain245Part replacement
06V-490Dec 21, 2006On some peterbilt trucks, certain parts used in the air suspensions have a high copper content causing premature failureSuspension3,246Part replacement
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 2008 Peterbilt 388

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.

0 complaints on file.

    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.