2003 Peterbilt 385 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other 385 years
- Not enough data 1st of 21 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
NHTSA has received no owner complaints about the 2003 Peterbilt 385 so far. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 0owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
2003 Peterbilt 385 recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Steering:linkages:knuckle:spindle:arm
Problem: On certain trucks equipped with dana spicer integral knuckle and steer arm assemblies, the steer axle assemblies may have a longitudinal crack in the steer arm.
Risk: If the crack should propagate over time, the ball could become loose resulting in a loss of steering, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the knuckle and steer arm assemblies. Owner notification began january 5, 2004. Owners should contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 1-940-591-4201.
Power train:axle hubs
Problem: On certain heavy duty trucks, the locking tab that locks the outer spindle nut onto the spindle was not engaged or properly bent over.
Risk: Failure to properly engage the locking feature into the nut could cause the nut to loosen which will eventually cause the wheel bearing to over heat and fail if undetected. If the loose nut is not detected, the outer end (tire, wheel and hub assembly) could become separated from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the hubs to determine if the locking tabs are properly bent. If the locking tabs are not bent, then dealers will inspect the appropriate components for premature wear and replace such components as required and properly secure the retaining nut by bending over the locking tab. Owner notification began september 17, 2003. Owners should contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 940-591-4201.
Trailer hitches:fifth wheel assembly
Problem: On certain trucks equipped with jost international jsk 37u series fifth wheels, a fatigue crack can develop in the bracket pin weld under certain loading conditions.
Risk: If left undetected or corrected it could lead to the separation of the fifth wheel top plate from its mounting structure, possibly resulting in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the bracket pins and repair instructions free of charge. Peterbilt's owner notification began june 20, 2003. Kenworth's owner notification began june 12, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact peterbilt at 940-591-4201 or kenworth 425-828-5440.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Other Peterbilt 385 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 385 | 0 | 1 |
| 2015 385 | 0 | 1 |
| 2014 385 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013 385 | 0 | 2 |
| 2012 385 | 0 | 2 |
| 2011 385 | 0 | 2 |
| 2010 385 | 0 | 2 |
| 2009 385 | 0 | 4 |
| 2008 385 | 0 | 7 |
| 2007 385 | 0 | 7 |
| 2006 385 | 0 | 5 |
| 2005 385 | 0 | 4 |
| 2004 385 | 0 | 2 |
| 2003 | 0 | 3 |
| 2002 385 | 0 | 2 |
| 2001 385 | 0 | 5 |
| 2000 385 | 0 | 7 |
| 1999 385 | 0 | 7 |
| 1998 385 | 0 | 3 |
| 1997 385 | 0 | 1 |
| 1996 385 | 0 | 2 |
See all Peterbilt 385 problems by year, every Peterbilt model, or the VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Peterbilt 385?
NHTSA has no owner complaints on file yet.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Peterbilt 385?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2003 Peterbilt 385 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 385 model years, the 2003 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.