2013 Peterbilt 385 problems, complaints & recalls
Safety recalls (2)
Equipment:other:labels 2015-03-06 ยท campaign 15V132000 ยท 213,230 vehicles
Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2006-2016 Peterbilt 587, 579, 567, 389, 388, 387, 385, 382, 379, 378, 367, 365 and 357 trucks manufactured July 25, 2005, to February 26, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with Tire and Rim Certification Labels that list a tire pressure below the actual correct amount. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 120, "Tire selection and rims and motor home/recrea
Risk: If the tires are underinflated due to the incorrect inflation pressure listed on the label, the truck may not be able to carry the maximum gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) load listed without experiencing tire failure which would increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Peterbilt will notify owners and mail them a corrected Tire and Rim certification label, free of charge. The recall began on June 19, 2015. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. PACCAR's number for this recall is 215-D.
Equipment:other:labels 2013-11-25 ยท campaign 13V593000 ยท 561 vehicles
Defect: Paccar Incorporated (Paccar) is recalling certain 2004-2013 Peterbilt 379, 357, 378, 367, 388, 365, 389, 385 and 386 trucks manufactured from April 3, 2003, through October 25, 2013 and equipped with tri-drive rear axles and a tag or pusher axle. The affected vehicles may be missing required information from the certification label, specifically the tag or pusher axle the gross axle weight rating, suitable tire and rim information, and recommended tire pressure information. Without this infor
Risk: As a result, the axles may be overloaded or the wrong tires could be installed or the tires could be improperly inflated. All of these issues increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Peterbilt will notify owners and dealers will inspect and replace the certification labels missing the necessary information. The recall is expected to begin in January 2014. Customers can contact Peterbilt at 1-940-591-4000. Peterbilt's number for this campaign is 1113-F.
Service bulletins (17)
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.
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.
Power Train 2020-05-29 ยท 11-001 ยท Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
information only: hendrickson softek front axle maintenance intervals and requirements.
Equipment 2020-03-17 ยท 32-016 ยท Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
information only: proper jump-starting voltage will eliminate high voltage related issues and equipment damage.
Showing the 6 most recent of 17 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.