A driver purchased this truck used in november of 2017, but we stearman transportation now holds title to VIN # , original cummins engine serial # and current cummins recon engine serial # .truck has spent more time in shop than on road since purchase. Taken to [xxx] complaining of a ticking noise coming from engine where repair shop verified complaint by removing valve cover and found that the cam was pitted as well as the rocker arm rollers. Found tappets pitted. Found oil contaminated with fine copper and metal particles.found bearings for the mains scratched and first layer gone and copper layer on the crank scratched. Told by [xxx] that cummins technical service bulletin 5411180 explains problems. Told crankshaft could not be reused. All other components damaged as result of oil contamination. Possible carbon packing on piston, timing gears bushings and shaft, oil cooler, high pressure fuel pump and turbo charger replaced recently. Based on rec we had to replace as told our only option because "the old style fuel pump it has ceramic plungers which eventually brake off and get into the oil system as well as the tappets which were softer in material but then later updated to diamond coated if the old style was not replaced this could cause significant damage to engine eventually causing to have the whole engine replaced." tried to get cummins tsb 541180 without success from seller, cummins or [xxx] w/out success. Still have problems with the truck even after putting in a cummins recon engine. We have spent over $80k at least in repairs since purchasing the truck in november 2017. Please at your earliest convenience tell us if there were any recalls on this truck or its parts and provide us with cummins tsb 5411180. All problems have occurred while the truck is in motion on highway. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
The worst 2013 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 6
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light
- 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
Tires
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- Peterbilt will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the engine's vehicle speed parameters to limit the maximum vehicle speed to the tire speed rating, free of charge. The recall began on January 4, 2016. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4000. PACCAR's number for this recall is 1115P.
Recall number 15V740000 · Recall details
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- Peterbilt will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the alternator charge cable away from the metal freon line and install a plastic insulator on the cable end, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2015. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4000. Peterbilt's number for this recall is 715-K.
Recall number 15V456000 · Recall details
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- What is wrong
- 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 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.
- Remedy
- 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 or Peterbilt customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4000. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 15KWE and 515-F.
Recall number 15V270000 · Recall details
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
Service brakes, air: supply: check valve
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- Paccar will notify owners, and provide a temporary repair until bendix develops a permanent remedy. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on february 10, 2012. Owner may contact kenworth at 1‑425‑828‑5440 and peterbilt at 1‑940‑591‑4196.
Recall number 12V026000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2013 Peterbilt 386 23
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
- Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery
- Fix as Fail: For all conventional models, except 387/587, equipped with Side-of-Cab (“SOC”) exhaust and...
- Information Only:
- 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,...
What 2013 Peterbilt 386 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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Questions about the 2013 Peterbilt 386
Is the 2013 Peterbilt 386 reliable?
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2013 Peterbilt 386, close to a typical 386 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Peterbilt 386?
Engine and cooling, with 1 complaint.
How many recalls does the 2013 Peterbilt 386 have?
6 recalls, covering service brakes, air, tires and electrical system.
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