Peterbilt 387 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
34 distinct recall campaigns
311,116 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 to 2016 model years. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 11 complaints (27.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 18.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 9.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 9.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 9.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
Engine: 3; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch: 1; Power Train: 1; Service Brakes: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 4
150,000 and above 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
2001: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 3
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 562231 · 2001-07-24 (July 24, 2001)
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE SUDDENLY WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FIRE RESULTED FROM A BRAKE DRUM FAILURE CAUSING A TIRE FIRE WHICH SPREAD THROUGH THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF TRACTOR, AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE DEFECTS SUCH AS ELECTRICAL AND BRAKE MISHAPS.(ATTORNEY ON BEHALF OF CLIENT)*YD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 562231 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10164188 · 2006-08-02 (August 2, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON ROUGH ROAD CONDITIONS, THE AIR TANK BRACKET OF THE AIR BRAKE SUPPLY FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND A DEALER WHO REPLACED THE AIR BRACKETS, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.
Owner-reported narrative. 322,232 miles reported. Look up ODI 10164188 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10782295 · 2015-10-15 (October 15, 2015)
BEFORE THE ABOVE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED, OF NOTE IS THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, AS WELL AS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF SAME TRUCK. FUSSELL TRUCK SALES RESET THE ENGINE LIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015. I PLACED VEHICLE ON A DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER ON TODAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH, 2015, AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT WAS ON DUE TO A NEED TO UNDERLYING NEED FOR A FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND REGENT SYSTEM , WHICH DOES NOT RESOLVE THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2015, AND HAS A 30-DAY WARRANTY, AND …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10782295 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10725891 · 2015-06-18 (June 18, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PETERBILT 387. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DPF MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND THE VEHICLE TO STALL. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND HAD BEEN SERVICED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE ENTIRE DPF SYSTEM WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 300,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10725891 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10242045 · 2008-09-13 (September 13, 2008)
STEERING LINKAGE IS A CRITICAL FAILURE IN THE PETERBILT 387. I HAVE A 2009 MODEL, AND ONLY 4 MONTHS OLD, IT NOW MAKES SCARY POPPING AND CREAKING NOISE. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING FROM OTHER DRIVERS OF THE SAME MODEL VEHICLE, STEERING SEIZES TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT MAKING IT HARD TO BREAK IT LOOSE. MY OPINION IS THAT PACCAR NEEDS TO MODIFY AND IMPROVE THE STEERING COMPONENTS. FOR ME, THE POPPING AND CREAKING NOISE GETS LOUDER AND LOUDER EVERY DAY. I'M THINKING ITS THE MATERIAL USED THAT'S A COMPLETE FAIL. PETERBILT ISN'T WILLING TO HONOR THEIR MISTAKE O…
Owner-reported narrative. 47,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10242045 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 7 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 14 |
| 2009 | 9 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
2000: 7; 2001: 2; 2002: 2; 2003: 2; 2004: 3; 2005: 4; 2006: 4; 2007: 6; 2008: 14; 2009: 9; 2010: 6; 2011: 6; 2012: 3; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 2