Peterbilt 386 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 12 owner complaints and 30 safety recalls on file for the Peterbilt 386, across 16 model years (2004–2019). The 2008 model year has the most complaints (4). The most reported problem area overall is engine and engine cooling.
Peterbilt 386 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No 386 model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
Model years with the fewest complaints
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Peterbilt 386 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Peterbilt 386 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 386 | 0 | 2 | — | — | |
| 2018 386 | 0 | 2 | — | — | |
| 2017 386 | 0 | 3 | — | — | |
| 2016 386 | 0 | 5 | — | — | |
| 2015 386 | 0 | 3 | — | — | |
| 2014 386 | 0 | 5 | — | — | |
| 2013 386 | 1 | 6 | — | Engine | |
| 2012 386 | 2 | 7 | — | Tires | |
| 2011 386 | 1 | 6 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2010 386 | 1 | 5 | — | Visibility | |
| 2009 386 | 1 | 10 | — | Unknown or Other | |
| 2008 386 | 4 | 14 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2007 386 | 1 | 8 | — | Service Brakes, Air | |
| 2006 386 | 0 | 2 | — | — | |
| 2005 386 | 1 | 4 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2004 386 | 0 | 1 | — | — |
More from Peterbilt: all Peterbilt models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Peterbilt 386 years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 2008 (4), 2012 (2), 2013 (1). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Peterbilt 386?
Engine and Engine Cooling, with 5 complaints across 2 model years.
How many recalls does the Peterbilt 386 have?
30 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.