Peterbilt 386 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
30 distinct recall campaigns
15,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 to 2019 model years. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 12 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 8.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 8.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 2 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
Unknown Or Other: 3; Electrical System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 2; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1; Service Brakes, Air: 1; Tires: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 5 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2008: 4; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2018: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10354254 · 2010-09-01 (September 1, 2010)
2007 PETERBILT 386, DRIVER PULLED TO THE EMERGENCY PULL OFF AND NOTICED THAT HIS BRAKES WERE ON FIRE. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0452-90*JB UPDATED 09/13/10*BF
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10354254 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11161142 · 2018-12-13 (December 13, 2018)
A DRIVER PURCHASED THIS TRUCK USED IN NOVEMBER OF 2017, BUT WE STEARMAN TRANSPORTATION NOW HOLDS TITLE TO VIN # , ORIGINAL CUMMINS ENGINE SERIAL # AND CURRENT CUMMINS RECON ENGINE SERIAL # .TRUCK HAS SPENT MORE TIME IN SHOP THAN ON ROAD SINCE PURCHASE. TAKEN TO [XXX] COMPLAINING OF A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE WHERE REPAIR SHOP VERIFIED COMPLAINT BY REMOVING VALVE COVER AND FOUND THAT THE CAM WAS PITTED AS WELL AS THE ROCKER ARM ROLLERS. FOUND TAPPETS PITTED. FOUND OIL CONTAMINATED WITH FINE COPPER AND METAL PARTICLES.FOUND BEARINGS FOR …
Owner-reported narrative. 471,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11161142 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10228784 · 2008-05-23 (May 23, 2008)
2008 PETERBILT 386 ROAD TRACTOR WITH A CUMMINS ISX 550 HP ENGINE. PURCHASED 9-10-07. ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE DOOR LOCKS WERE BLOWING FUSES, THE GPS AND RADIO WOULD GO OFF AND ON, THE POWER WINDOWS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING, THE DASH LIGHTS AND BUZZERS WOULD FLASH AND ALARM WHEN ON ROUGH ROADS, THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT STAYING ON. SOME SENSORS;FUSES REPLACED. IN JANUARY HAVING OIL PRESSURE ISSUES. PRESSURE WOULD DROP TO 0 AND TRUCK WOULD SHUT OFF. TOLD THIS A CLOGGED OIL FILTER. CHANGED THE FILTER. CONTINUED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM. IN FEB…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10228784 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 14 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
2004: 1; 2005: 4; 2006: 2; 2007: 8; 2008: 14; 2009: 10; 2010: 5; 2011: 6; 2012: 7; 2013: 6; 2014: 5; 2015: 3; 2016: 5; 2017: 3; 2018: 2; 2019: 2