2009 Peterbilt 386Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 1 owner complaint about the 2009 Peterbilt 386, most often about the unknown or other. It is covered by 10 safety recalls, and for recall 13V-593 the manufacturer reports only 18% of affected cars repaired.

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 6, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2009 Peterbilt 386 has problems

1 complaint grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

10 recalls

2009 Peterbilt 386 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

27%repaired · 2022 Q1

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Recall 20V-199 · Apr 6, 2020 · 460,515 vehicles · 125,765 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

30%repaired · 2017 Q2

Tires

Recall 15V-740 · Nov 9, 2015 · 1,876 vehicles · 555 repaired

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

18%repaired · 2015 Q2

Other: labels

Recall 13V-593 · Nov 25, 2013 · 561 vehicles · 102 repaired

Risk. As a result, the axles may be overloaded or the wrong tires could be installed or the tires could be improperly inflated.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Storage: tank assembly

Recall 11V-127 · Feb 23, 2011 · 4,664 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 6 more recalls
–no report yet

Steering: column

Recall 10V-308 · Jul 2, 2010 · 9,697 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Steering: column

Recall 09V-258 · Jul 8, 2009 · 2,096 vehicles

Risk. A SEPARATION OF THE SPLINED AND NON-SPLINED TUBES COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Conventional: air

Recall 08V-128 · Mar 21, 2008 · 1,043 vehicles

Risk. IF THE DOUBLE CHECK VALVE BECOMES LODGED, IN THE EVENT OF A PRIMARY RESERVOIR FAILURE, AIR PRESSURE CAN LEAK PAST THE LODGED DOUBLE CHECK VALVE THEREBY…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Trailer hitches

Recall 08V-104 · Mar 10, 2008 · 318 vehicles

Risk. THIS REDUCTION OF FATIGUE STRENGTH COULD CAUSE THE PIVOT PIN TO CRACK AND EVENTUALLY BREAK, CAUSING THE TRAILER TO DETACH FROM THE TRUCK WHILE IN MOTION, WHICH…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Doors: latch

Recall 08V-065 · Feb 7, 2008 · 6,169 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Peterbilt.

Best & worst years

2009 vs. every other 386 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 386 median. How we score

'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2009 Peterbilt 386, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Driveshaft separates from tractorPE10029 · closed Dec 23, 2010
    Led to recall 10V-634
  2. Intermittent Loss of Power Steering AssistPE20006 · closed Mar 27, 2024
    No recall
In owners' words

What 386 owners report

Recent unknown or other complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

PLEASE HELP ME TO FIND MY TRUCK. ITS WHITE PETERBILT 386 WITH REEFER UNIT ON BACK. THE INSURANCE WILL EXPIRE TODAY AND REGISTRATION WILL EXPIRE ON 31ST OF MARCH. MY COUSIN SUKHJEET VIRK WHO LIVES IN 4114 JADE CT, LANCASTER, CA TOOK THIS TRUCK AND NEVER RETURNED ME BACK. I HAVE BEEN CALLING HIM AND…
Complaint 10575257 · Mar 27, 2014

Own a 2009 386?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.