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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2011 Peterbilt 386 Recalls & Complaints

The 2011 Peterbilt 386 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Peterbilt dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2011 Peterbilt 386. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2011 Peterbilt 386 owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2011 Peterbilt 386, describing incidents dated August 20, 2013.

Most-cited components

  • Electrical System 1 complaint

The complaint on file reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #10536932 · Filed

    UPON AN FIRE INVESTIGATION ON THIS PETERBILT THE SECONDARY POWER WIRE COMING FROM THE STARTER SHORTED OUT AGAINST THE ENGINE BLOCK OR GROUND WIRE. AS THE INVESTIGATION IS STILL EARLY I WILL HAVE A BETTER IDEA IN A FEW DAYS. I'M A HEAVY EQUIPMENT APPRAISER AND THIS IS ONE OF MY FLEETS THAT I LOOK…

Read the full complaint

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2011 Peterbilt 386 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Driver not Warned when ABS Offline/FMVSS 121, 136

NHTSA #20V199000 · Electronic Stability Control (ESC) · NHTSA notice

Reported April 6, 2020 · PACCAR Incorporated

Potentially affected: 460,515 vehicles

Repair completion: 33.98% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 20pbc AND 20KWB · Owners notified May 26, 2020

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

If the driver unknowingly operates the vehicle without the ABS functioning, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

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.

Alternator Charge Cable may Chafe

NHTSA #15V270000 · Electrical System — Alternator/Generator/Regulator · NHTSA notice

Reported May 8, 2015 · PACCAR Incorporated

Potentially affected: 1,494 vehicles

Repair completion: 76.17% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 15KWE and 515-F · Owners notified September 16, 2015 · Vehicles built December 13, 2010 – April 20, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Kenworth T660, T680, T880 trucks manufactured February 18, 2013, to April 10, 2015, and 2011-2016 Peterbilt 386, 389, 567, 579, and 587 trucks manufactured December 13, 2010, to April 20, 2015. The affected trucks, equipped with PACCAR MX-13 engines and Delco-Remy 40SI alternators, have alternator charge cables that may chafe against a formed metal freon discharge line.

Safety consequence

If the alternator cable rubs through its insulation, an electrical short may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the alternator charge cable away from the metal freon line, free of charge. PACCAR issued an interim notification to owners on July 10, 2015. The recall began on September 16, 2015. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 15KWE and 515-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.

Certification Label Missing Information

NHTSA #13V593000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported November 25, 2013 · PACCAR Incorporated

Potentially affected: 561 vehicles

Repair completion: 18.18% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 1113-F · Owners notified February 10, 2014 · Vehicles built April 3, 2003 – October 25, 2013 (per NHTSA)

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.

KENWORTH/PETERBILT/FAST IDLE CONTROL

NHTSA #11V380000 · Electrical System — Software · NHTSA notice

Reported July 21, 2011 · PACCAR INCORPORATED

Potentially affected: 211 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign E038R · Owners notified August 22, 2011 · Vehicles built April 20, 2010 – June 11, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

KENWORTH AND PETERBILT SAFETY RECALL NO. E038R.OWNERS 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

KENWORTH/PETERBILT/CENTRIFUGAL SPINNER CAP

NHTSA #11V127000 · Fuel System, Other — Storage — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported February 23, 2011 · PACCAR INCORPORATED

Potentially affected: 4,664 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign E026R · Owners notified March 4, 2011 · Vehicles built March 10, 2008 – February 23, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THE DISCHARGE OF ENGINE OIL ONTO EXHAUST COMPONENTS WHICH ARE HOT, SUCH AS WHEN THE ENGINE IS UNDER SIGNIFICANT LOAD, MAY CAUSE A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

OWNERS 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

KENWORTH/PERTERBILT EGR VALVE SEAL OIL LEAK

NHTSA #10V453000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Exhaust System — Emission Control — Gas Recirculation Valve (EGR VALVE) · NHTSA notice

Reported October 1, 2010 · PACCAR INCORPORATED

Potentially affected: 384 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign E008R · Owners notified October 29, 2010 · Vehicles built April 13, 2010 – August 3, 2010 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

PACCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR KENWORTH AND PETERBILT VEHICLES. A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE SEAL SUPPLIED BY A COMPONENT MANUFACTURER INSTALLED ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR) VALVE ACTUATOR MAY CAUSE EVENTUAL DELAMINATION OF THE SEAL. DELAMINATION OF THE SEAL MAY ALLOW ENGINE OIL TO LEAK FROM THE EGR VALVE ONTO EXHAUST COMPONENTS.

Safety consequence

THE LEAKING OF ENGINE OIL ONTO HOT EXHAUST COMPONENTS, SUCH AS WHEN THE ENGINE IS UNDER SIGNIFICANT LOAD, MAY CREATE THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EGR VALVE ASSEMBLY ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PACCAR MX ENGINE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440 AND PETERBILT AT 940-591-4196.

Notes

PACCAR SAFETY RECALL NO. E008R.OWNERS 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

Other Peterbilt 386 model years

Check your 2011 Peterbilt 386 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Peterbilt 386 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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