Reliability & cost of ownership
Peterbilt 386 Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Peterbilt 386? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars where on file — then open the year you're shopping for its AI reliability outlook where NHTSA has enough data.
Peterbilt 386 problems by model year
83 recall entries and 12 owner complaints on file across 16 model years, sourced from the federal NHTSA database.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 386 | 2 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2018 386 | 2 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2017 386 | 3 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2016 386 | 5 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2015 386 | 3 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2014 386 | 5 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2013 386 | 6 | 1 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2012 386 | 7 | 2 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2011 386 | 6 | 1 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2010 386 | 5 | 1 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2009 386 | 10 | 1 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2008 386 | 14 | 4 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2007 386 | 8 | 1 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2006 386 | 2 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2005 386 | 4 | 1 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2004 386 | 1 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Peterbilt 386, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- engine and engine cooling5 complaints
- unknown or other3 complaints
- electrical system2 complaints
- service brakes, air1 complaint
- visibility1 complaint
- tires1 complaint
- engine1 complaint