2014 Peterbilt 388 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Wheels (8) · Tires (8) · Fuel/Propulsion System (1)
Safety recalls (8)
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2020-04-06 · campaign 20V199000 · 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 · campaign 15V740000 · 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.
Electrical System:alternator/Generator/Regulator 2015-07-22 · campaign 15V456000 · 288 vehicles
Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Peterbilt 365, 367, 384, 386, 388, 389, 567, 579, and 587 trucks manufactured January 13, 2011, to April 20, 2015. The affected trucks, equipped with extended-body Leece Neville alternators, have alternator charge cables that may chafe against a formed metal freon discharge line.
Risk: If the alternator cable rubs through its insulation, an electrical short may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Peterbilt will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the alternator charge cable away from the metal freon line and install a plastic insulator on the cable end, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2015. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. Peterbilt's number for this recall is 715-K.
Equipment:other:labels 2015-03-06 · campaign 15V132000 · 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.
Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly 2015-02-24 · campaign 15V108000 · 5,141 vehicles
Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2009-2015 Peterbilt 320, 365, 367, 388, and 389 trucks manufactured July 21, 2008, to February 28, 2014. The front axle tie rod end clamp bolts may be improperly torqued.
Risk: Undertorqued tie rod end clamp bolts are susceptible to corrosion, which may cause loose bolts to separate resulting in a loss of vehicle control and an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle tie rod assembly on any vehicle where the factory installed assembly has not been previously replaced, free of charge. Owners were mailed interim notices on May 11, 2015. The recall began on April 4, 2016. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 215-C.
Electrical System 2014-05-29 · campaign 14V283000 · 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.
Seat Belts 2014-01-24 · campaign 14V013000 · 10,414 vehicles
Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2014 Kenworth T660, T680, T700,T800, T880, W900, T440, T470, T370, T270, T170, C500, and C550 chassis manufactured between August 7, 2013, and October 31, 2013, and Peterbilt 320, 325, 330, 337, 348, 365, 367, 382, 384, 386, 388, 389, and 587 chassis manufactured between August 7, 2013, and November 3, 2013, and equipped with IMMI-brand L9 seat belt buckles. When the button is pressed to release the seat belt, the latch plate can becom
Risk: If the latch plate remains partially engaged after the button is pressed, egress from the vehicle could be hindered which would increase the risk of injury in the event of an emergency.
Fix: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt buckles, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 31, 2014. Owners may contact PACCAR at 1-425-468-7400. Kenworth's number for this campaign is 14KWC. Peterbilt's number for this campaign is 114-B.
Electrical System:ignition:switch 2013-05-28 · campaign 13V222000 · 1,773 vehicles
Defect: PACCAR is recalling certain model year 2014 Kenworth T170, T270, T370, T470, T660, T680, T800, T880, and W900 trucks manufactured May 6, 2013, through May 17, 2013; and model year 2014 Peterbilt 330, 337, 348, 365, 367, 382, 384, 386, 388, 389, 389K, 567, 579 and 587 trucks manufactured May 1, 2013 through May 17, 2013. An internal defect in the ignition switch causes the starter to engage when a key is partially inserted, before the key is turned.
Risk: Unintended engine startup could cause injury to a person working in the engine compartment. Vehicles with standard transmissions may experience unexpected movement, which may result in personal injury or a crash.
Fix: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will replace affected ignition switches, free of charge. The recall began on June 14, 2013. Owners may contact Kenworth at 1-425-828-5000 or Peterbilt at 1-940-591-4000. Kenworth's recall campaign number is 13KWF. Peterbilt's recall campaign number is 0513-E.
Service bulletins (24)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-09-11 · P001 · 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."
Engine 2024-11-22 · 32-025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
info only unnecessary starter replacements can result from customer complaints regarding engine starting issues. a new starter troubleshooting guide has been created to provide a comprehensive list of starting system checks, which should reduce unnecessary starter replacements and associated warran
Power Train 2024-11-11 · 02-194 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
fix-as-fail the window switch fails prematurely due to excessive amperage flowing through the window switch circuit. a new door harness design has been developed to prevent failures. fix-as-fail start date is 11/11/2024.
Service Brakes 2022-08-03 · 13-060 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the service information for bendix air dryer maintenance is being updated to include new procedures.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer 2021-02-10 · 02-160 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
information only â windshield washer pumps have a high no trouble found rate. washer pumps may fail to spray due to a clogged filter.
Structure 2020-08-25 · 02-158 · 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
Showing the 6 most recent of 24 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-10-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 390,000 mi“problems with (after treatment)codes flashing, check engine, immediately went to stop engine immediately and truck shut off at 70mph. fortunately not on incline or decline and was able to pull to safety. this happened on two separate occasions. peterbilt nor cummins has not been able to diagnose the problem until the fuel pump completely failed …”
2014-11-18 · Wheels“we operate 6 brand new peterbilt 388 car haulers. every truck randomly blows drive inside tire. once tire blows it can blow adjacent tire. so far we had about 20 blow out in 2 month time. only solution so far we found was to reroute exhaust pipe to the side and replace tires to all position tires. no reimbursement from peterbilt. called every possi…”
2014-11-18 · Wheels“6 peterbilt my company operates are 2014 and 2015 car haulers. all are consistently destroying rear axel tires both sides driver and passenger (thread is coming out). damaged seems to happen due to overheat of tires. we tried using different brand of tires, but blow out did not stop. we took trucks to [xxx] and they are unable to find any issues.…”
2014-11-18 · Wheels“6 peterbilt my company operates are 2014 and 2015 car haulers. all are consistently destroying rear axel tires both sides driver and passenger (thread is coming out). damaged seems to happen due to overheat of tires. we tried using different brand of tires, but blow out did not stop. we took trucks to [xxx] and they are unable to find any issues…”
2014-11-18 · Tires · 115,000 mi · 💥 crash“2014 peterbilt 388 car hauler. passenger side 2014 michelin xza 275/70/r22.5 blew up. truck lost power hood was ripped apart. wheel, door, hood, electrical, air intake destroyed. waiting for insurance to cover any damage. so far have spend over 20,000$ plus road service. truck was traveling 73 mph front weight 11200. tire had around 18000 miles. *…”
2014-11-18 · Wheels · 165,000 mi“2014 peterbilt 388 car hauler traveling at low speed 25 at work zone. passenger side tire blew. only wheel tire and couple wires destroyed this time. cost my company $1000 towing, new wheel $350, new tires $800... and couple thousand more on other items. truck was about 76000 pounds. front axel was 11800. *tr…”
2014-11-04 · Tires · 122,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2014 peterbilt 388 tractor, equipped with michelin xz4 tires, size 275/70/22 1/2 (na). while driving approximately 67 mph, the front passenger side tire exploded and damaged the front passenger side of the vehicle. the vehicle was towed back to the lot. the tire failure was not diagnosed, but the tires were replaced. the manu…”
2014-11-04 · Wheels · 162,000 mi“front michelin xza 2 tire blew. it was replaced 7/15/2014 at 130,673. tire had less then 35,000 on it. truck was damaged wheel destroyed. hood damaged, bumper damaged. road service replaced 1 tire and wheel paid $1500 tire size 275/70/22.5 *tr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.