The worst 2008 Peterbilt 340 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
Recalls 6
Electronic stability control (ESC)
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will update the NAMUX software within the cab control module, free of charge. PACCAR issued owners an interim notification on June 4, 2020. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888 or Peterbilt customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 20pbc AND 20KWB.
Recall number 20V199000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel
- What is wrong
- Paccar is recalling model year 2008-2010 kenworth t300, t270, and t370, model year 2009-2010 t800 and peterbilt model year 2008-2010 335, 340, and 367 vehicles built on cummins' diesel engine. The vehicles may be designed with a hard wired, dash-mounted switch that enables the vehicle operator to inhibit aftertreatment diesel particulate filter regeneration in environments where the operator believes it may be unsafe for elevated exhaust temperatures. Due to an issue with the logic in the ECM software in these engines, the switch may not function correctly, leading the operator to believe that the switch is in "inhibit" mode when it is not.
- Risk
- This condition will permit hot exhaust gases to exit the vehicle tailpipe, increasing the risk of melting or burning of nearby surfaces, or a fire.
- Remedy
- Paccar is working with cummins to repair the engines free of charge please see 09e-046. The safety recall began on october 1, 2009. Owners may contact cummins at 1-800-diesels (1‑800‑343‑7357).
Recall number 09V348000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Certain trucks equipped with eaton synflex eclipse brand extruded nylon air brake hose tubing fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 106, "brake hoses." the tubing was manufactured with only four layers of nylon material, instead of the specified five layers.
- Risk
- The diameter of the hose affects the fittings which may allow air to leak from the brakes and create the potential for a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the air brake hoses and, if necessary, replace the hoses. The recall began on february 22, 2008. Owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners may contact kenworth at 1‑425‑828‑5440 or peterbilt at 1‑940‑591‑4196.
Recall number 08V002000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- On certain medium duty vehicles, the right side stabilizing rod, which spans the cooling module and the right frame rail bracket, was inadvertently designed too close in proximity to the alternator positive electrical terminal post. In the event the protective rubber boot on the terminal post was removed or cracked and the engine mounts allowed the engine to rock, electrical arcing could occur between the radiator tie rod hardware on the frame side and the alternator terminal post while the engine is running.
- Risk
- The electrical arcing could potentially ignite a fire in the engine compartment.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the right radiator tie rod and corresponding mounting bracket with a longer radiator tie and different mounting bracket which will adequately space apart the tie rod mounting hardware and mounting bracket free of charge. The recall began on august 22, 2007. Owners may contact peterbilt at 940‑591‑4201.
Recall number 07V321000 · Recall details
Parking brake
- What is wrong
- Certain trucks equipped with bendix sr-7 spring brake modulating valves. The internal rubber check valve may leak causing a delay in the application of the spring brakes to park the vehicle after the operator pulls the dash valve button.
- Risk
- This could delay or failure in applying the parking brakes potentially resulting in a vehicle roll away.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a check valve repair kit for the affected sr-7 spring brake modulating valve free of charge. The recall began on august 22, 2007. Owners may contact peterbilt at 940‑591‑4201.
Recall number 07V276000 · Recall details
Suspension
- What is wrong
- On some peterbilt trucks, certain parts used in the air suspensions have a high copper content causing premature failure.
- Risk
- Failure could cause erratic vehicle handling which can cause a vehicle crash without warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and, when necessary, replace the defective parts. The recall began on january 17, 2007. Owners may contact peterbilt at 1‑940‑591‑4196.
Recall number 06V490000 · Recall details
See all 6 recalls for the 2008 Peterbilt 340
Defect investigations
Horton Fan Hub Failures
PACCAR is conducting an Owner Notification Program (ONP) for select vehicles within the subject and peer populations.The ONP are attached to the closing report and can be found in the federal safety agency Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) database. (TSB: 10033585, 10033584)See Closing report for investigation details.
EA09008
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Peterbilt 340 19
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- "Kenworth: Dealers should check the chassis list and SIR weekly for VIN changes
- Information Only – Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate
- Fix as Fail: For all conventional models, except 387/587, equipped with Side-of-Cab (“SOC”) exhaust and...
- Information Only: This bulletin provides dealers with a battery warranty quick reference guide to ensure...
- Information only: Hendrickson Softek front axle maintenance intervals and requirements.
- Safety Recall Bulletin: Updated with permanent repair path for phase 1 vehicles
- Safety Recall Interim Bulletin: The Tractor ABS Lamp May Not Illuminate When ABS Controller Loses Battery...
- Information Only: Proper jump-starting voltage will eliminate high voltage related issues and equipment...
- Information Only – Vehicles may have the connector seals on the wheel speed sensor incorrectly installed,...
- Information Only: Vehicles may have the connector seal on the wheel speed sensor incorrectly installed,...
Compare the 2008 Peterbilt 340
Other model years
Questions about the 2008 Peterbilt 340
Is the 2008 Peterbilt 340 reliable?
Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2008 Peterbilt 340.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Peterbilt 340?
There are not enough complaints to tell.
How many recalls does the 2008 Peterbilt 340 have?
6 recalls, covering electronic stability control (esc), engine and engine cooling and service brakes, air.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2008 Peterbilt 340?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history