🚗 AutoDefect IQ

2015 Peterbilt 388 problems, complaints & recalls

Most-reported problem areas: Wheels (3)

3
Complaints
7
Recalls
27
Service bulletins
0
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Deaths

Safety recalls (7)

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 2015-12-31 · campaign 15V889000 · 15 vehicles

Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2015 Peterbilt model 388 vehicles manufactured from January 28, 2014, through February 3, 2014. The affected vehicles were built with Michelin MN295/60 R22.5 XZA front tires and 8.25" wheels and were certified to a GAWR greater than the maximum 12,350 lbs allowed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 120, "Tire Selection and Rims for Motor Vehicles Other

Risk: If the truck exceeds the load rating on the tire, the tire may suddenly fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Peterbilt will notify owners, and dealers will replace the 8.25" front wheels with 9.00" wheels and re-program the maximum vehicle speed to the appropriate settings, free of charge. The recall began on January 14, 2016. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. PACCAR's recall campaign number for this recall is 1115Q.

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.

Air Bags 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.

Service bulletins (27)

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 – 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 27 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.

What owners report

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.…”

2014-11-10 · Wheels · 83,000 mi

“tractor blew a michelin xza (295/60/22.5) passenger side steer tire. driver felt a vibration and was in the process of pulling over when it blew. *tr…”

2014-11-04 · Wheels · 73,000 mi

“2015 brand new pete 388 car hauler. front original tire michelin xza 2 size 295/60/22.5 blew up. damaged front of the truck and 2 tires were damaged on drive same side. paid $1500 for road service. hood, bumper light are damaged. truck only 3 month old. 4th blow out in 2 month on 4 separate trucks. *tr…”

Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.

Other Peterbilt 388 years