Complaints over time
Complaints about the 2012 Peterbilt 587 peaked in 2013, 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
2012 Peterbilt 587
Heavy truck, diesel, 6x4, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Apr 11, 2013 to Feb 19, 2025.
Recall campaigns covering this model year8696k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints31.5 times the median 2012 heavy truck
Severity index66.72012 heavy trucks average 22.5
First 24 months2Complaints in its first two years
Components
67% of complaints about the 2012 Peterbilt 587 name electrical system
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
8 recall campaigns cover the 2012 Peterbilt 587
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-641 | Oct 9, 2015 | Affected trucks are equipped with Fontaine Ultra LT Fifth Wheel connectors, which, due to cumulative damage to the fifth wheel and its locking… | Equipment | 290 | Part replacement |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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-331 | Jun 23, 2011 | Tubing may have a seam weld with insufficient bonding | Powertrain | 72 | Part replacement |
| 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 587
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.
3 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed Feb 19, 2025Failure Jul 26, 2024468,742 milesMc Lean, VAEngine, Fuel system, Fuel pump
The contact owns a 2012 Peterbilt 587. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unaware of a warning light being illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road where the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to West Truck Services Center, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump had failed. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump plungers had fractured and intruded the engine. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that there were metal shavings inside the oil filter. The dealer determined that the fuel pump and engine rod bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: 140019. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a claim was filed; however, the claim was denied. The failure mileage was 468,742.
NHTSA complaint 11643608 - Filed Apr 22, 2013Failure Apr 1, 2013Homestead, PACablesFire
2012 PETERBILT TRACTOR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POTENTIAL FIRE DEFECT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECENTLY INVESTIGATED THE CAUSE OF A FIRE IN THE TRACTOR AND DETERMINED THE CAUSE TO BE RELATED TO A POTENTIAL DEFECT IN THE MANNER IN WHICH THE BATTERY CABLES WERE SUPPORTED. THE BATTERY CABLES PASSED FROM THE BATTERY BOX ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE TRACTOR, AT A POSITION BEHIND THE CAB, TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AT THE LOCATION WHERE THE BATTERY CABLES PASSED THE ELECTRONIC CLUTCH ACTUATOR, THEY WERE HELD IN PLACE BY A PLASTIC TIE. DUE TO DRIVE TRAIN VIBRATION AND MOVEMENT, THE PLASTIC TIE USED TO SECURE THE BATTERY CABLES TO THE CLUTCH ACTUATOR SHIELD WERE PRONE TO FAILURE. THE PLASTIC TIE BROKE AT SOME TIME DURING ITS SERVICE LIFE AND THE WEIGHT OF THE BATTERY CABLES CAUSED THEM TO MIGRATE TOWARD THE BOTTOM OF THE CLUTCH ACTUATOR SHIELD. MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE UNSECURED CABLES AND THE SHIELD, WHICH OCCURRED OVER TIME, ABRADED THE INSULATION OF ONE OF THE POSITIVE CABLES. ONCE THE ELECTRICAL INSULATION FAILED, THE CABLE ARCED AGAINST THE SHIELD, ENERGIZING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. UPDATED 7/1/13 ...UPDATED 10-24-13 *BF
NHTSA complaint 10509048 - Filed Apr 11, 2013Failure Feb 4, 2013Homestead, PAElectrical systemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 PETERBILT 587. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THERE WAS A FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE HAD IGNITED. THE CABLES WERE ATTACHED TO THE ELECTRONIC CLUTCH ACTUATOR, WHICH HAD A PLASTIC COVER. THE PLASTIC TIE FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE BATTERY CABLES TO FAIL, ENERGIZING THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE BLOCK. THE HIGH HEAT CAUSED IT TO BECOME COMBUSTIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN BECAUSE OF THE FIRE DAMAGE. *TR UPDATED 7/2/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED DUE TO THE VIBRATION AND MOVEMENT, THE PLASTIC TIE USED TO SECURE THE BATTERY CABLES TO THE CLUTCH ACTUATOR SHEILD IS PRONE TO FAILURE. UPDATED 11/1/2013 *JS
NHTSA complaint 10505965
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
23 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. - 116-1 Jul 13, 2016 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
SmartNav 2.0 Hardware retrofit for quality validation and vehicle validation units. - 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. - 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 - 15-17 Feb 9, 2018 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Fix-As-Fail - Low Beam Headlamp Bulb Diagnosis (Inspect Bulb and Connector) - 15-16 Sep 27, 2017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Fix-As-Fail: Repair for horizontal exhaust diffuser configurations with broken brackets or cracked diffuser. - RN-413-7 May 20, 2013 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
PETERBILT: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. IN SOME TRUCKS, THERE IS TOO MUCH REFRIGERANT IN AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM, CAUSING THE COMPRESSOR AND FAN CLUTCH TO CYCLE EXCESSIVELY AND HVAC SYSTEM TO UNDER PERFORM DUE TO AN OVER CHARGE SITUATION.… - 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.