No complaints are listed for the 2001 Peterbilt 385. NHTSA's API and bulk file list none in this build.
Data build 2026-10-08.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as PETERBILT 385.
Model-generated complaint tags: No complaints are listed for tagging.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
5 recalls.
Date: 2003-04-01. Systems: SUSPENSION.
Defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRUCK HUB UNITS MANUFACTURED BY SKF EXCLUSIVELY FOR USE ON ARVINMERITOR'S FF98X SERIES NON-DRIVE STEER AXLES, THE HUB UNIT BEARINGS CAN WEAR PREMATURELY.
Consequence: SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FRONT AXLE HUBS. NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 16, 2003. THE MANUFACTURER HAS ADVISED US THAT PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITH A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201 OR KENWORTH 425-828-5440.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2002-01-15. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR.
Defect: ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR WABCO PNEUMATIC ANITLOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) VALVE PACKAGES, THE ASSEMBLY BOLTS ON THESE VALVE PACKAGES WERE NOT TIGHTENED CORRECTLY. (excerpt)
Consequence: BOLTS TORQUED BELOW SPECIFICATION WILL NOT RELIABLY PREVENT AIR LEAKAGE AT THE AFFECTED ABS VALVE PACKAGE INTERFACE JOINTS ONCE THE COMPONENT BEGINS NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. IF AIR LEAKS DEVELOP AT ANY OF THE ABS VALVE PACKAGE INTERFACE JOINTS, BRAKE SYSTEM PRESSURE REDUCTIONS COULD OCCUR DURING BRAKING OR NORMAL OPERATION WITH UNITS EQUIPPED WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL OPTION, POTENTIALLY EXTENDI (excerpt)
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE FASTENERS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440 OR PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4201. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2001-06-05. Systems: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES.
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. A CHANGE IN THE INTERNAL LINKAGE OF CERTAIN CAB DOORS HAS CREATED A POSSIBLE BINDING CONDITION.
Consequence: IF THE LINKAGE BINDS, FULL ENGAGEMENT OF THE DOOR LATCH MAY NOT OCCUR, ALLOWING THE DOOR TO OPEN INADVERTENTLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE DOOR LINKAGE TO CORRECT THE POTENTIAL OF BINDING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4000.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2001-03-07. Systems: STEERING.
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE BOLTS USED TO SECURE THE STEERING SHAFT CAN FAIL.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 2, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4000.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2001-02-22. Systems: SEAT BELTS.
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS 7 AND CLASS 8 VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEM," AND NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." SOME FASTENERS USED TO ATTACH THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHOR BRACKET TO THE CAB STRUCTURE WERE OMITTED DURING PRODUCTION.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE SEAT OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD THE NECESSARY FASTENERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 19, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4000.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Manufacturer communications
9 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 4 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 3 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 1 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
|---|
| VISIBILITY | 1 |
|---|
10188550
Date: 2021-02-10. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY, VISIBILITY.
Information Only A?A A Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate. Washer pumps may fail to spray due to a clogged filter.
10177021
Date: 2020-06-08. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Information Only: This bulletin provides dealers with a battery warranty quick reference guide to ensure the appropriate tests for battery warranty are performed in order to prevent battery warranty claims filed with incorrect or incomplete information.
10176033
Date: 2020-05-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Information only: Hendrickson Softek front axle maintenance intervals and requirements.
10173205
Date: 2020-03-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.
Information Only: Proper jump-starting voltage will eliminate high voltage related issues and equipment damage.
10168703
Date: 2019-11-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Information Only: This bulletin provides guidance for repairing an air-conditioning system after internal failure of the A/C compressor.
10162392
Date: 2019-06-10. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Information Only - Quick Reference Guide for Electric harness damage repairs.
10159674
Date: 2019-04-08. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.
Information Only: Proper instructions for closure of power distribution box cover to prevent corrosion.
10154733
Date: 2019-01-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Information: Bendix ACOM Software version 6.16.5.0 for diagnostics may introduce an unrecoverable error. Notice to dealers to replace this version with older software version until Bendix introduces new version.
10143649
Date: 2018-07-23. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Information - Recommended Practices for Updating ESA Software