2012 Peterbilt 348 problems, complaints & recalls
Safety recalls (5)
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2020-04-06 ยท campaign 20V199000 ยท 460,515 vehicles
Defect: 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
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 2015-11-09 ยท campaign 15V740000 ยท 1,876 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2015-05-26 ยท campaign 15V309000 ยท 4,823 vehicles
Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2010-2016 Kenworth T440, T800, and W900 trucks manufactured August 31, 2009, to April 20, 2015, and 2008-2015 Peterbilt 320, 337, 348, 365, 382, and 384 trucks manufactured July 27, 2007, to April 28, 2015, and equipped with certain Cummins Westport ISL G engines. Excessive engine crankcase pressures may cause the 90-degree elbow of the vent tube assembly to detach from the crankcase ventilation breather, possibly allowing engine oil
Risk: If engine oil comes into contact with a hot surface, there is an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: Cummins will notify owners on behalf of PACCAR, and Cummins service centers will administer the repairs which include securing the ends of the 90-degree elbow and reprogramming the electronic control module (ECM) with software that can adjust the engine output under misfire conditions to limit crankcase pressures. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2015. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000, Peterbilt customer service at 1-940
Air Bags 2014-05-29 ยท campaign 14V283000 ยท 1,705 vehicles
Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Peterbilt 579, 388, 384, 367, 365, 348, and 337 trucks manufactured October 30, 2009, through May 21, 2014. In the affected vehicles, if power is interrupted to the seat electronic control unit (ECU), such as when the fuse for that circuit blows, the side air bag would be disabled but there will not be a warning lamp indicator to notify the operator of the malfunction.
Risk: Without a warning of a problem existing in the side air bag system, the driver may continue to operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury from the side air bag not deploying in the event of a rollover.
Fix: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will install a new electrical harness to correct them problem, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. Paccar's number for this recall is 514-F.
Service Brakes, Air:supply:check Valve 2012-01-30 ยท campaign 12V026000 ยท 15,932 vehicles
Defect: 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 PRIMAR
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.
Service bulletins (21)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free โ but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-09-11 ยท P001 ยท Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"kenworth: dealers should check the chassis list and sir weekly for vin changes. 2 chassis added to the chassis list. peterbilt: dealers should check the chassis list and sir weekly for vin changes. 10 chassis added to the chassis list."
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer 2021-02-10 ยท 02-160 ยท Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
information only รขยย windshield washer pumps have a high no trouble found rate. washer pumps may fail to spray due to a clogged filter.
Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:injectors 2020-12-03 ยท DOR-K2T5D-01 ยท Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this sku is a def injector. the customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the sealing. the injector sealing may have an issue which will cause a slow leak. a slow leak of the def injector can lead to crystal formation which can cause aftertreatment related fault codes
Structure 2020-08-25 ยท 02-158 ยท Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
fix as fail: peterbilt has determined that certain model 348, 365, 367, 382, 384, 386, 388, 389, 567, 579, and 587 trucks, built between 4/13/2010 and 3/16/2020 and equipped with a flush mounted battery box, utilized rubber washers that could rub through and cause the aluminum box mounting tabs to
Structure 2020-06-10 ยท 43-067 ยท Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
fix as fail: for all conventional models, except 387/587, equipped with side-of-cab (รขยยsocรขยย) exhaust and built from 03/6/2006 to 1/20/2020, the clamps that secure the soc exhaust stacks may not be tightened properly. this may allow the exhaust stack to rotate and contact the cab or sleeper.
Electrical System 2020-06-08 ยท 32-015 ยท Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
information only: this bulletin provides dealers with a battery warranty quick reference guide to ensure the appropriate tests for battery warranty are performed in order to prevent battery warranty claims filed with incorrect or incomplete information.
Showing the 6 most recent of 21 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
No detailed complaint narratives on file.
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.