2009 PETERBILT 388 Complaints and Recall Information
The 2009 PETERBILT 388 has 0 complaints and 11 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues related to recalls, with no specific complaints recorded. The recalls involve a range of components including steering, fuel and engine systems, brakes, tires, and labeling information.
There are 11 recalls affecting steering, fuel system storage, engine and engine cooling, labels, tires, service brakes, electronic stability control, and tie rod assemblies. The recalls address safety defects that could lead to loss of vehicle control, fire, or increased crash risk. Repairs commonly involve component inspections, replacements, software updates, and label corrections provided free of charge.
- Steering column weld defect. NHTSA recall 10V308000 affects 9,697 trucks. Mislocated circumferential weld on TRW steering shafts may cause separation during low-speed turns, risking loss of steering control. Dealers perform inspections and replace faulty shafts free of charge.
- Fuel system oil filter cap. Recall 11V127000 involves 4,664 trucks with PACCAR MX engines. The oil module centrifugal spinner filter cap may loosen and allow engine oil discharge onto hot exhaust components, creating fire hazards. Dealers re-torque and add retention devices at no cost.
- Engine combustion tube. Recall 11V203000 covers 5,831 trucks with Caterpillar C15 engines. Combustion tube weld degradation can cause heat damage and potential fire. Caterpillar replaces combustion tubes free of charge but remedy timing depends on parts availability.
- Certification label omissions. Recall 13V593000 affects 561 vehicles missing critical axle weight and tire information on labels. Missing data may cause axle overloading or tire misuse, increasing crash risk. Dealers inspect and replace labels free of charge.
- Tire speed rating mismatch. Recall 15V740000 impacts 1,876 trucks with Michelin front tires rated below vehicle governed speed. Risk of premature tire failure increases crash risk. Dealers reprogram vehicle speed limits free of charge.
- Front drum brake linings. Recall 14V145000 involves 474 trucks with brake linings not suitable for tire and axle rating, potentially lengthening stopping distance. Dealers replace brake shoes with correct linings at no cost.
- ABS warning light failure. Recalls 20V199000 cover 460,515 trucks with NAMUX software. If ABS loses power, the warning light may not activate, preventing driver alerts. Dealers update software free of charge.
- Front axle tie rod clamp bolts. Recall 15V108000 affects 5,141 trucks with possibly undertorqued tie rod clamp bolts. Corrosion may loosen bolts causing loss of vehicle control. Dealers replace tie rod assemblies free of charge.
- Tire and rim certification labels. Recall 15V132000 covers 213,230 trucks with incorrect tire pressure information on certification labels. Underinflated tires may fail under full load increasing crash risk. Dealers mail corrected labels free of charge.
Owners facing repeated safety defects, unresolved recall repairs, or ongoing mechanical issues with the 2009 PETERBILT 388 may want to explore their rights under state lemon laws. Consulting legal resources can help determine possible remedies available for persistent vehicle problems.
2009 PETERBILT 388 Summary
2009
Model Year
0
Total Complaints
9
Total Recalls
701989
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2009 PETERBILT 388
460515 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
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.
2009 PETERBILT 388
213230 vehicles affected
TIRES
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.
2009 PETERBILT 388
5141 vehicles affected
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2009-2015 Peterbilt 320, 365, 367, 388, and 389 trucks manufactured July 21, 2008, to February 28, 2014. The front axle tie rod end clamp bolts may be improperly torqued.
Risk: Undertorqued tie rod end clamp bolts are susceptible to corrosion, which may cause loose bolts to separate resulting in a loss of vehicle control and an increased risk of a crash.
2009 PETERBILT 388
1876 vehicles affected
TIRES
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Peterbilt 340, 2010, 2012, and 2015-2016 Peterbilt 337, 2010 Peterbilt 335, 2011-2016 Peterbilt 348, 2009 and 2011-2016 Peterbilt 365, 2009 and 2012-2013 Peterbilt 386, 2009-2015 Peterbilt 388, 2015-2016 Peterbilt 389, and 2015 Peterbilt 567 auto hauler vehicles. The affected trucks are equipped with Michelin 295/60R22.5 XZA-2 front tires that have a speed rating less than the vehicle is governed to.
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.
2009 PETERBILT 388
474 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES
PACCAR, Inc. (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Peterbilt 365, 367, 388, 389 trucks manufactured October 6, 2007, through September 23, 2013. The affected vehicles were built with 16.5" x 7" front drum brakes and Bendix ES-420 brake linings installed on front axles rated to carry between 20,001 and 22,000 lbs GAWR and larger SLR (20.5" to 21.5") tires, however these brake linings are not rated for this configuration. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
Risk: The improper brake configuration could lengthen the braking distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
2009 PETERBILT 388
561 vehicles affected
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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."
Risk: 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.
2009 PETERBILT 388
5831 vehicles affected
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
PACCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 KENWORTH C500, T2000, T600, AND T660, AS WELL AS MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 PETERBILT 387 AND 388 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR C15 ENGINE AND MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 11, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 17, 2010. DEGRADATION OF A COMBUSTION TUBE WELD CAN CAUSE RADIAL HEAT IMPINGEMENT ON THE BODY WHICH MAY BURN THROUGH CERTAIN BODIES USED ON C15 ENGINES.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
2009 PETERBILT 388
4664 vehicles affected
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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.
2009 PETERBILT 388
9697 vehicles affected
STEERING:COLUMN
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.
Complaints
No complaints found.