2012 Peterbilt 386 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other 386 years
- Not enough data 2nd of 16 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 7 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Peterbilt 386. That ranks 2nd out of 16 386 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is tires (1 complaints, 50%), typically at around 800 miles. There are 7 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 2owner complaints
- 7safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2012 Peterbilt 386 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tires | 1 | 50% | 800 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 50% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2012 Peterbilt 386 recalls (7)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Service brakes, air:antilock:abs warning light; electronic stability control (esc)
Problem: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2008-2019 Peterbilt 330, 335, 337, 340, 348, 365, 367, 384, 386, 387, 388, 389, 567, 579 and 587 vehicles and 2008-2020 Kenworth T170, T270, T370, T660, T680, T800, T880, and W900 vehicles equipped with NAMUX Software. 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 not illuminate to warn the driver of the loss of ABS. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems," and 136, "Electronic Stability Control System on Heavy Vehicles."
Risk: If the driver unknowingly operates the vehicle without the ABS functioning, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will update the NAMUX software within the cab control module, free of charge. PACCAR issued owners an interim notification on June 4, 2020. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 20pbc AND 20KWB.
Tires
Problem: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Peterbilt 340, 2010, 2012, and 2015-2016 Peterbilt 337, 2010 Peterbilt 335, 2011-2016 Peterbilt 348, 2009 and 2011-2016 Peterbilt 365, 2009 and 2012-2013 Peterbilt 386, 2009-2015 Peterbilt 388, 2015-2016 Peterbilt 389, and 2015 Peterbilt 567 auto hauler vehicles. The 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.
Risk: Higher vehicle speeds and other factors such as tire load and road temperatures may result in premature tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Peterbilt will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the engine's vehicle speed parameters to limit the maximum vehicle speed to the tire speed rating, free of charge. The recall began on January 4, 2016. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. PACCAR's number for this recall is 1115P.
Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator
Problem: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Peterbilt 365, 367, 384, 386, 388, 389, 567, 579, and 587 trucks manufactured January 13, 2011, to April 20, 2015. The affected trucks, equipped with extended-body Leece Neville alternators, have alternator charge cables that may chafe against a formed metal freon discharge line.
Risk: If the alternator cable rubs through its insulation, an electrical short may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Peterbilt will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the alternator charge cable away from the metal freon line and install a plastic insulator on the cable end, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2015. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. Peterbilt's number for this recall is 715-K.
Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator
Problem: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Kenworth T660, T680, T880 trucks manufactured February 18, 2013, to April 10, 2015, and 2011-2016 Peterbilt 386, 389, 567, 579, and 587 trucks manufactured December 13, 2010, to April 20, 2015. The affected trucks, equipped with PACCAR MX-13 engines and Delco-Remy 40SI alternators, have alternator charge cables that may chafe against a formed metal freon discharge line.
Risk: If the alternator cable rubs through its insulation, an electrical short may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the alternator charge cable away from the metal freon line, free of charge. PACCAR issued an interim notification to owners on July 10, 2015. The recall began on September 16, 2015. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 15KWE and 515-F.
Equipment:other:labels
Problem: Paccar Incorporated (Paccar) is recalling certain 2004-2013 Peterbilt 379, 357, 378, 367, 388, 365, 389, 385 and 386 trucks manufactured from April 3, 2003, through October 25, 2013 and equipped with tri-drive rear axles and a tag or pusher axle. The affected vehicles may be missing required information from the certification label, specifically the tag or pusher axle the gross axle weight rating, suitable tire and rim information, and recommended tire pressure information. Without this information, the vehicles do not comply with the requirements of 49 C.F.R. Part 567, "Certification."
Risk: As a result, the axles may be overloaded or the wrong tires could be installed or the tires could be improperly inflated. All of these issues increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Peterbilt will notify owners and dealers will inspect and replace the certification labels missing the necessary information. The recall is expected to begin in January 2014. Customers can contact Peterbilt at 1-940-591-4000. Peterbilt's number for this campaign is 1113-F.
Service brakes, air:supply:check valve
Problem: Paccar is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 kenworth t170, t270, t370, t440, t470, t660, t700, t800, w900, and peterbilt 320, 330, 337, 348, 365, 367, 382, 384, 386, 388, 389, and 587 vehicles, manufactured from january 31, 2011, through january 19, 2012, and equipped with bendix atr-6 antilock traction relay valves. In extremely cold conditions, these bendix relay valves may potentially develop internal leakage. Internal leakage can lead to air pressure being delivered to affected primary or secondary brake causing continuous brake application.
Risk: Unexpected continuous brake application can cause the brakes to overheat and lead to a fire. Unexpected continuous brake application can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Also, the brakes may be applied without illuminating the brake lights, failing to give proper warning to other drivers.
Fix: Paccar will notify owners, and provide a temporary repair until bendix develops a permanent remedy. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on february 10, 2012. Owner may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.
Fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly
Problem: Paccar is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 kenworth t2000, t660, t700, t800, and w900, as well as model year 2009-2012 peterbilt 365, 367, 384, 386, 387, 388, 389, and 587 trucks equipped with paccar mx engines. The 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 partially discharge from the oil module onto exhaust components.
Risk: The discharge of engine oil onto exhaust components which are hot, such as when the engine is under significant load, may cause a fire.
Fix: Dealers will re-torque the oil module filter cap and install a secondary retention device on the secondary centrifugal spinner filter cap. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during march 2011. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Intermittent Loss of Power Steering Assist (PE20006) — opened May 1, 2020, closed Mar 27, 2024.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2012 Peterbilt 386 equipped with Kelly Tires, Tire Line: Armor Steel RSA2, Tire Size: 295/75/R22.5, DOT Number: 04N37XETW. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the tread separated from the front driver's side tire core. The contact stated that the tire was a…
I [XXX] , [XXX] I PURCHASE THREE (3) TRUCKS FROM RITCHIE BROTHER AUCTION IN GEORGIA ON 3/23/2023 (1) 2012 FREIGHTLINER TRUCK WAS LOCATE IN GEORGIA, AND TWO TRUCKS WAS LOCATE IN CHEHALIS WA (1) 2012 PETERBILT (1) 2016 FREIGHTLINER. THE 2012 PETERBILT WAS A PROBLEM FROM THE START (SEE ATTACH REPAIRS)…
Other Peterbilt 386 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 2012 | 2 | 7 |
| 2011 386 | 1 | 6 |
| 2010 386 | 1 | 5 |
| 2009 386 | 1 | 10 |
| 2008 386 | 4 | 14 |
| 2007 386 | 1 | 8 |
| 2006 386 | 0 | 2 |
| 2005 386 | 1 | 4 |
| 2004 386 | 0 | 1 |
See all Peterbilt 386 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 2012 Peterbilt 386?
Owners most often report tires, unknown or other problems. The top one, tires, accounts for 1 complaint.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Peterbilt 386?
Yes, 7 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2012 Peterbilt 386 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 386 model years, the 2012 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.