Peterbilt 388 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 21 owner complaints and 30 safety recalls on file for the Peterbilt 388, across 16 model years (2004–2019). The 2014 model year has the most complaints (17). The most reported problem area overall is tires.
Peterbilt 388 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No 388 model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2014 388: 17 complaints, 8 recalls
- 2015 388: 3 complaints, 7 recalls
- 2012 388: 1 complaint, 10 recalls
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 388 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tires | 14 | 3 | 7 |
| Wheels | 11 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Electrical System | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Peterbilt 388 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 388 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2018 388 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2017 388 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2016 388 | 0 | 3 | — | — | |
| 2015 388 | 3 | 7 | — | Wheels | |
| 2014 388 | 17 | 8 | — | Tires | |
| 2013 388 | 0 | 9 | — | — | |
| 2012 388 | 1 | 10 | — | Tires | |
| 2011 388 | 0 | 11 | — | — | |
| 2010 388 | 0 | 11 | — | — | |
| 2009 388 | 0 | 15 | — | — | |
| 2008 388 | 0 | 17 | — | — | |
| 2007 388 | 0 | 7 | — | — | |
| 2006 388 | 0 | 2 | — | — | |
| 2005 388 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2004 388 | 0 | 1 | — | — |
More from Peterbilt: all Peterbilt models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Peterbilt 388 years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 2014 (17), 2015 (3), 2012 (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 388?
Tires, with 14 complaints across 3 model years.
How many recalls does the Peterbilt 388 have?
30 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.