2012 Peterbilt 587 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
3 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
468,742 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 3 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 66.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 66.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 33.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 33.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Fuel System, Diesel:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 1 |
Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables: 1; Engine: 1; Fuel System, Diesel:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2013: 2; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 10505965 · 2013-04-11 (April 11, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 PETERBILT 587. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THERE WAS A FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE HAD IGNITED. THE CABLES WERE ATTACHED TO THE ELECTRONIC CLUTCH ACTUATOR, WHICH HAD A PLASTIC COVER. THE PLASTIC TIE FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE BATTERY CABLES TO FAIL, ENERGIZING THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE BLOCK. THE HIGH HEAT CAUSED IT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10505965 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10509048 · 2013-04-22 (April 22, 2013)
2012 PETERBILT TRACTOR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POTENTIAL FIRE DEFECT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECENTLY INVESTIGATED THE CAUSE OF A FIRE IN THE TRACTOR AND DETERMINED THE CAUSE TO BE RELATED TO A POTENTIAL DEFECT IN THE MANNER IN WHICH THE BATTERY CABLES WERE SUPPORTED. THE BATTERY CABLES PASSED FROM THE BATTERY BOX ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE TRACTOR, AT A POSITION BEHIND THE CAB, TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AT THE LOCATION WHERE THE BATTERY CABLES PASSED THE ELECTRONIC CLUTCH ACTUATOR, THEY WERE HELD IN PLACE BY A PLASTIC TIE. DUE TO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10509048 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11643608 · 2025-02-19 (February 19, 2025)
The contact owns a 2012 Peterbilt 587. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unaware of a warning light being illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road where the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to West Truck Services Center, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump had failed. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump plungers had fractured and intruded the engine. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact th…
Owner-reported narrative. 468,742 miles reported. Look up ODI 11643608 at NHTSA ↗