Tl*the contact owns a 2005 peterbilt 386. The contact stated that he felt as if he had been drugged whenever he awoke from sleeping in the vehicle. The following day, while driving approximately 70 MPH, he became sleepy for no apparent reason. He purchased a tester to test the vehicle for nitric oxide and the levels read over 5,000 ppm. The company that the contact works for stated that they never heard of a semi-truck leaking nitric oxide. The manufacturer and dealer have not been notified. The cause of the failure has not been diagnosed properly. The current mileage was 485,037 and failure mileage was 435,000.
The worst 2005 Peterbilt 386 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine1
Problems by type
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- Engine1
Recalls 4
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- Peterbilt will notify owners and dealers will inspect and replace the certification labels missing the necessary information. The recall is expected to begin in January 2014. Customers can contact Peterbilt at 1‑940‑591‑4000. Peterbilt's number for this campaign is 1113-F.
Recall number 13V593000 · Recall details
Trailer hitches
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks, the removable tow hitch ,when used to tow or lift a vehicle, can fail due to defective material in the tow hitch.
- Risk
- If the tow hitch assembly fails while a vehicle is being towed or lifted, it may cause an accident that could result in personal injury or death.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the tow pin assembly free of charge. The recall began on september 4, 2007. Owners may contact kenworth at 425‑828‑5440 or peterbilt at 940‑591‑4201.
Recall number 07V269000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks, if the ignition switch is turned on prior to initial start up in the manufacturing plant or during the filter replacement in the field, a small flame will ignite when the fuel is added to prime the system.
- Risk
- The possibility exists for the flame to spread resulting in possible equipment damage or physical injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the filter for the date codes of the suspect filters and replace those heating elements free of charge. The recall began on march 21, 2007. Owners may contact kenworth at 425‑828‑5440 and peterbilt at 940‑591‑4201.
Recall number 07V153000 · Recall details
Power train: axle assembly
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks, the axle housings may have been manufactured with steel that was out of specification which could result in a fatigue failure over time.
- Risk
- If a fatigue failure occurs and is left unattended, the axle may lock up or the end of the axle could come off, which may result in a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the axles free of charge. The recall began on may 9, 2007. Owners may contact kenworth at 425‑828‑5440 and peterbilt at 1‑940‑591‑4196.
Recall number 07V132000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Peterbilt 386 13
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
- 1210F - spl 170XL
- Information Only – Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate
- 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.
- 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,...
- Information Only: This bulletin provides guidance for repairing an air-conditioning system after internal...
- Information Only
What 2005 Peterbilt 386 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Compare the 2005 Peterbilt 386
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Questions about the 2005 Peterbilt 386
Is the 2005 Peterbilt 386 reliable?
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2005 Peterbilt 386, close to a typical 386 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Peterbilt 386?
Engine and cooling, with 1 complaint.
How many recalls does the 2005 Peterbilt 386 have?
4 recalls, covering equipment, trailer hitches and fuel system, gasoline.
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