NHTSA Recalls

2011 Peterbilt 386

2 open or recent recalls

2 open recalls

Open recalls

Units affected

Trucks in our DB

Carriers in DB

What this means

2 open or recent NHTSA recalls affect the 2011 Peterbilt 386. Recall repairs are free at OEM dealers — but only if you take the truck in. If you operate this model, verify recall service status by submitting the VIN at the OEM dealer or via NHTSA.gov. Insurance underwriters and freight brokers increasingly ask carriers to confirm recall service is current before contract loads.

All 2 recalls for this vehicle

NHTSA Campaign

15V270000

0 affected

Issue: 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 alternat

Fix: 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 o

NHTSA Campaign

10V453000

0 affected

Issue: 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 ON

Fix: 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will an open recall fail a DOT inspection on a 2011 Peterbilt 386?

An open recall does NOT automatically fail a Level 1, 2, or 3 DOT roadside inspection — those focus on brake, tire, light, HOS, and driver-fitness items. However, if the recall affects a safety-critical component that is showing visible defect (cracked brake line, leaking fuel line, etc.) and the inspector identifies the defect itself, it can result in an out-of-service violation. Best practice: complete recall service promptly to avoid the question entirely. Recall completion is free at the dealer.

How do I check if my specific VIN has open recalls?

Three ways: (1) Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls — free, instant. (2) Call any Peterbilt dealer and provide your VIN — they'll look up open campaigns. (3) Use our VIN decoder tool at /vin/ which cross-references against our recall database. The fastest is the NHTSA site; the most useful for fleet operators is the dealer call (they can also schedule the repair on the spot).

Who pays for recall repairs?

The manufacturer pays. Recall service is free at any authorized OEM dealer regardless of the truck's age, mileage, or who owns it now. The exception: if recall service is more than 10 years old, some manufacturers can decline (rare on commercial trucks). Peterbilt/386 recall service typically takes 1–4 hours of dealer shop time depending on the campaign — usually no charge for parts or labor.

What's the difference between a recall and a TSB on a Peterbilt?

A recall (NHTSA campaign) is a manufacturer-mandated safety repair — free and required. A TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) is the manufacturer telling dealers about a known issue and the recommended fix, but TSB repairs are typically NOT free — owners pay parts and labor. Recalls fix safety risks; TSBs fix quality/reliability issues that aren't safety-related. If you're seeing a problem that ISN'T on the recall list, search TSBs for Peterbilt 386 2011 — there may be a documented fix.

Can I keep operating a 2011 Peterbilt 386 with an open recall?

Legally yes (no federal law prohibits operating a vehicle with open recalls on a commercial truck — only some passenger-vehicle resale rules apply). Practically: depends on the specific recall. Safety-critical recalls (brakes, steering, fuel system) should be addressed immediately — both for safety and because insurance carriers and shippers increasingly track this. Less-critical recalls (lighting, infotainment) can wait until your next dealer visit. Always review the specific recall summary to understand severity.

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2011 Peterbilt 386

What this means

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Frequently Asked Questions

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