NHTSA vehicle safety data
2004 Peterbilt 385 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2004 Peterbilt 385 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 0 owner complaints on file as of October 16, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Peterbilt dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2004 Peterbilt 385. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
NHTSA #13V593000Reported November 25, 2013 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 561 vehicles
Defect description
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 information, the vehicles do not comply with the requirements of 49 C.F.R. Part 567, "Certification."
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
NHTSA #05V570000Reported December 22, 2005 · PACCAR INCORPORATED
Potentially affected: 30,995 vehicles
Defect description
ON CERTAIN TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR DIESEL ENGINES, THE VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE MAY WEAR AGAINST THE SHARP EDGE OF THE CYLINDER HEAD IF NOT POSITIONED CORRECTLY.
Safety consequence
THE OIL LINE MAY BE CUT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD CAUSING AN OIL LEAK AND A POSSIBLE FIRE.
Manufacturer remedy
CATERPILLAR, IN CONJUNCTION WITH PACCAR, WILL BE CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CALL CATERPILLAR AT 309-675-6496, KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440, OR PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201.
Notes
KENWORTH RECALL NO. 05KW7 AND PETERBILT RECALL NO. 1205E.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236(TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Other Peterbilt 385 model years
Check your 2004 Peterbilt 385 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Peterbilt 385 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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