2013 PETERBILT 388 Complaints and Recall Information
The 2013 Peterbilt 388 has 0 complaints and 12 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues related to brake systems, tires, electrical components, and certification labeling based on recall data.
There are 12 recalls on the 2013 Peterbilt 388, affecting various systems including brakes, tires, electrical components, certification labels, and airbag systems. The recalls address safety defects that may increase the risk of crashes due to brake malfunctions, tire failures, or noncompliance with safety standards.
- Recalls
- Service Brakes, Air Supply Check Valve. Recall 12V026000 affects 15,932 vehicles. Bendix ATR-6 relay valves may leak internally in cold conditions, causing continuous brake application that can overheat brakes and cause fire or loss of vehicle control. PACCAR provides a temporary repair until a permanent remedy is developed.
- Certification Labels Missing Information. Recall 13V593000 affects 561 vehicles. Some trucks lack required axle weight, tire, and inflation info on certification labels. This can lead to axle overloading or improper tire use, increasing crash risk. Dealers will replace missing labels.
- Incorrect Tire Speed Rating. Recall 15V740000 covers 1,876 vehicles. Trucks equipped with Michelin 295/60R22.5 XZA-2 front tires have speed ratings below governed vehicle speed, risking premature tire failure. Dealers will reprogram engine speed limits to match tire ratings.
- Alternator Charge Cable Chafing. Recall 15V456000 affects 288 vehicles. Alternator cables may rub against metal freon lines, risking electrical shorts and fire. Dealers will reroute cables and install plastic insulation.
- Air Bag System Malfunction. Recall 14V283000 covers 1,705 vehicles. Power loss to the seat ECU disables side airbags without warning lights, increasing injury risk in rollovers. Dealers will install a new electrical harness to fix the issue.
- Brake Linings Not Rated for Configuration. Recall 14V145000 affects 474 vehicles. Front brake linings are underspecified for axle and tire size, possibly lengthening stopping distance. Dealers will install corrected brake shoes with proper linings.
- Electronic Stability Control NAMUX Software. Recall 20V199000 covers 460,515 vehicles. ABS warning light may fail after power loss, preventing driver alert of ABS failure and increasing crash risk. Dealers will update NAMUX software in cab control modules.
- Front Axle Tie Rod Clamp Bolts. Recall 15V108000 affects 5,141 vehicles. Improper torque on tie rod end bolts can cause separation and loss of vehicle control. Dealers will replace tie rod assemblies if not previously replaced.
- Incorrect Tire and Rim Certification Labels. Recall 15V132000 covers 213,230 vehicles. Labels may list tire pressures below required levels, risking tire failure under maximum load. Owners will receive corrected labels by mail.
- Tire Pressure and Load Information. Recall 15V132000 duplicates the tire pressure and load info issue noted above and shares the same mitigation through corrected certification labels mailed to owners.
Owners with repeated repairs, unresolved safety defects, or remaining recall issues on the 2013 Peterbilt 388 may want to explore their rights under state lemon laws. Consulting a qualified attorney familiar with these laws can clarify possible options.
2013 PETERBILT 388 Summary
2013
Model Year
0
Total Complaints
9
Total Recalls
699722
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2013 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.
2013 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.
2013 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.
2013 PETERBILT 388
288 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Peterbilt 365, 367, 384, 386, 388, 389, 567, 579, and 587 trucks manufactured January 13, 2011, to April 20, 2015. The affected trucks, equipped with extended-body Leece Neville alternators, have alternator charge cables that may chafe against a formed metal freon discharge line.
Risk: If the alternator cable rubs through its insulation, an electrical short may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
2013 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.
2013 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.
2013 PETERBILT 388
1705 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Peterbilt 579, 388, 384, 367, 365, 348, and 337 trucks manufactured October 30, 2009, through May 21, 2014. In the affected vehicles, if power is interrupted to the seat electronic control unit (ECU), such as when the fuse for that circuit blows, the side air bag would be disabled but there will not be a warning lamp indicator to notify the operator of the malfunction.
Risk: Without a warning of a problem existing in the side air bag system, the driver may continue to operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury from the side air bag not deploying in the event of a rollover.
2013 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.
2013 PETERBILT 388
15932 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE
PACCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012-2013 KENWORTH T170, T270, T370, T440, T470, T660, T700, T800, W900, AND PETERBILT 320, 330, 337, 348, 365, 367, 382, 384, 386, 388, 389, AND 587 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 31, 2011, THROUGH JANUARY 19, 2012, AND EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX ATR-6 ANTILOCK TRACTION RELAY VALVES. IN EXTREMELY COLD CONDITIONS, THESE BENDIX RELAY VALVES MAY POTENTIALLY DEVELOP INTERNAL LEAKAGE. INTERNAL LEAKAGE CAN LEAD TO AIR PRESSURE BEING DELIVERED TO AFFECTED PRIMARY OR SECONDARY BRAKE CAUSING CONTINUOUS BRAKE APPLICATION.
Risk: UNEXPECTED CONTINUOUS BRAKE APPLICATION CAN CAUSE THE BRAKES TO OVERHEAT AND LEAD TO A FIRE. UNEXPECTED CONTINUOUS BRAKE APPLICATION CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. ALSO, THE BRAKES MAY BE APPLIED WITHOUT ILLUMINATING THE BRAKE LIGHTS, FAILING TO GIVE PROPER WARNING TO OTHER DRIVERS.
Complaints
No complaints found.