2008 Peterbilt 387 recalls and problems
The 2008 Peterbilt 387 has 14 safety recalls and 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Peterbilt dealer.
Recalls may cover only some 2008 Peterbilt 387 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.
2008 Peterbilt 387 recalls
Recall 20V-199: Service Brakes, Air, Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Problem: 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 to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems," and 136, "Electronic Stability Control System on Heavy Vehicles."
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.
Recall 15V-132: Tires, Equipment
Problem: 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/recreation vehicle trailer load carrying capacity information for motor vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds)."
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.
Recall 11V-380: Electrical System
Problem: Paccar is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 kenworth t660, t700, and t800 vehicles manufactured from april 19, 2010, through may 13, 2011, and model year 2008, 2010, and 2011 peterbilt 365, 367, 384, 386, 387, 388 and 587 vehicles manufactured from april 20, 2010, through june 11, 2011, and equipped with paccar mx engines and eaton ultrashift dm or allison automatic transmissions (Without auto-neutral). The fast idle control may be activated by the operator while the transmission is in gear.
Risk: If the fast idle control function is engaged with the transmission in gear, the vehicle could unexpectedly accelerate and override the parking brake and , creating a risk of a crash and damage to other vehicles or property and the potential for injury to nearby pedestrians.
Fix: Kenworth and peterbilt dealers will update the engine software for the affected chassis. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on august 22, 2011. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.
Recall 11V-127: Fuel System, Other
Problem: Paccar is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 kenworth t2000, t660, t700, t800, and w900, as well as model year 2009-2012 peterbilt 365, 367, 384, 386, 387, 388, 389, and 587 trucks equipped with paccar mx engines. The oil module centrifugal spinner filter cap in the paccar mx engine may become loose, possibly allowing the cap to come off and engine oil to partially discharge from the oil module onto exhaust components.
Risk: The discharge of engine oil onto exhaust components which are hot, such as when the engine is under significant load, may cause a fire.
Fix: Dealers will re-torque the oil module filter cap and install a secondary retention device on the secondary centrifugal spinner filter cap. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during march 2011. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.
Recall 10V-634: Power Train
Problem: Paccar is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 kenworth and peterbilt vehicles manufactured from february 2, 2006 through april 30, 2007. The bearing surfaces of the extended lube universal joint that attaches the inter-axle driveline to the drive axle may become prematurely worn due to breakdown of lubrication and/or excessive heat. Prematurely worn bearing surfaces may result in the u-joint becoming loose and/or binding. This condition may result in universal joint failure, allowing the inter-axle driveline to detach from the axle.
Risk: Detachment of the driveline from the axle may cause the vehicle to lose power and become disabled in the roadway. Also, the driveline could drop from the vehicle into the roadway increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Paccar is working with its supplier to remedy the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during february 2011. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 940-591-4196.
Recall 10V-308: Steering
Problem: Paccar is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 trucks equipped with trw steering shafts. The circumferential weld around the steering shaft tube that welds the splined tube to the non-splined tube may be mislocated. Mislocation of the circumferential weld may allow the splined tube and non-splined tube to rotate relative to one another during a low speed, high torque turn, possibly resulting in a separation of the two tubes.
Risk: A separation of the splined and non-splined tubes would cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the steering shaft using a weld placement gauge provided by trw. Any steering shaft found to have been welded improperly will be replaced free of charge. The safety recall began on july 30, 2010. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 940-591-4196.
Recall 09V-019: Engine and Engine Cooling
Problem: Paccar is recalling 1098 kenworth my 2008 t800, w900, my 2008-2009 t2000 and peterbilt my 2007-2009 379 and 387 trucks equipped with c15 caterpillar diesel engines. The aftertreatment regeneration device (Ard) may develop a hole and heat and flame may escape during a regeneration of the diesel particulate filter.
Risk: This may result in a fire hazard.
Fix: Paccar is working with caterpillar and will inspect and remedy the engines free of charge. Owners may contact caterpillar at 1-800-447-4986, kenworth at 425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 940-591-4196.
Recall 08V-487: Engine and Engine Cooling
Problem: Paccar is recalling 4,883 my 2006-2009 kenworth t600, t660, t800, w900, t2000 and my 2008-2009 peterbilt 365, 367, 379, 384, 386, 387, 388 and 389 trucks. Inadequate stiffness of the diesel particulate filter (Dpf) bracket could result in separation of the DPF from the chassis.
Risk: A vehicle crash could occur if another vehicle strikes the DPF on the roadway.
Fix: Paccar is working with caterpillar to repair these vehicles (Please see 08e041). Owners may contact caterpillar at 1-800-447-4986 or kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.
Recall 08V-065: Latches/Locks/Linkages
Problem: Paccar is recalling 6,169 my 2008 kenworth t300, t660, t800, t2000, w900 and c500 vehicles and my 2008-2009 peterbilt models 365, 367, 384, 387, 388, 389 and 389 kits. Certain door latch assemblies on these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 206, 'door locks and door retention components." the rotor in some of these door latch assemblies did not receive the proper heat treatment and may be soft.
Risk: In the event of a crash, force could cause the rotor to crack and the door would not have primary or secondary closing security which could possibly lead to injury of the vehicle occupant.
Fix: Paccar is working with trimark and will inspect and replace the door latch if it is found to be defective. The recall began on march 14, 2008. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.
Recall 08V-002: Service Brakes, Air
Problem: Certain trucks equipped with eaton synflex eclipse brand extruded nylon air brake hose tubing fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 106, "brake hoses." the tubing was manufactured with only four layers of nylon material, instead of the specified five layers.
Risk: The diameter of the hose affects the fittings which may allow air to leak from the brakes and create the potential for a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the air brake hoses and, if necessary, replace the hoses. The recall began on february 22, 2008. Owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.
Recall 07V-591: Steering
Problem: On certain kenworth and peterbilt heavy duty trucks equipped with tas-85 trw steering gears, the inner surface of the outer sector shaft teeth of the steering gears may have an incorrect involute profile, which may lead to chipping and damage of the gearing system.
Risk: This type of damage may cause a "bind/stick" condition in the vehicle steering during a turn increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will repair and replace any suspect tas-85 steering gear assembly free of charge. The recall began on january 9, 2008. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 940-591-4201.
Recall 07V-409: Fuel System, Diesel
Problem: On certain peterbilt trucks, the longitudinal seams on the fuel tanks were fabricated using an incorrect weld speed for the given material thickness. This error resulted in a weld which did not completely penetrate the entire material thickness.
Risk: Fuel tanks possessing this defect could leak diesel fuel in the event of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace any defective fuel tanks free of charge. The recall began on october 8, 2007. Owners may contact peterbilt at 940-591-4201.
Recall 07V-132: Power Train
Problem: On certain trucks, the axle housings may have been manufactured with steel that was out of specification which could result in a fatigue failure over time.
Risk: If a fatigue failure occurs and is left unattended, the axle may lock up or the end of the axle could come off, which may result in a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the axles free of charge. The recall began on may 9, 2007. Owners may contact kenworth at 425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.
Recall 06V-490: Suspension
Problem: On some peterbilt trucks, certain parts used in the air suspensions have a high copper content causing premature failure.
Risk: Failure could cause erratic vehicle handling which can cause a vehicle crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, when necessary, replace the defective parts. The recall began on january 17, 2007. Owners may contact peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.
2008 Peterbilt 387 problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | |
| Electrical System | 1 | |
| Service Brakes | 1 | |
| Power Train | 1 |
Most reported parts
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 300,000 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2008 Peterbilt 387 complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Other Peterbilt 387 years
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2008 Peterbilt 387 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 14 recalls for the 2008 Peterbilt 387: 20V-199 (service brakes, air, electronic stability control (esc)), 15V-132 (tires, equipment), 11V-380 (electrical system), 11V-127 (fuel system, other), 10V-634 (power train) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Peterbilt 387?
Owners report engine problems most often (2 reports), followed by engine and engine cooling (1). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 300,000 miles.
Are Peterbilt recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Peterbilt dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.