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2005 Peterbilt 387
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2005 Peterbilt 387, covering equipment, engine and engine cooling and steering, and 2 consumer complaints received since 2006.
The component named most often is service brakes, air: 500 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 1 per 1,000 across all 2005 model-year vehicles and against 142.9 per 1,000 for the Peterbilt 387 line as a whole.
That is more than the average of 0.6 complaints per model year across the 19 Peterbilt 387 model years on this register.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2006 (1); the most recent in the file is dated 8 Sep 2010.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
Defect, as filed: On certain trucks, when using a cummins electronic icon service tool 2.2, an unintended engine start will occur.
Consequence: Given the purpose and functionality of this service tool, this series of events would only occur in a service facility and could pose a hazard if the truck were to unexpectedly move or the engine to start without any warning, possibly causing personal injury.
Remedy: Cummins is conducting this recall (please see 06e063000) and will replace the icon service tool 2.2 with a new icon service tool 2.3 free of charge. Owners may contact cummins at 1-800-343-7357 or peterbilt at 1-940-591-4201.
Filed by PACCAR INCORPORATED (manufacturer campaign 706B).
Defect, as filed: On certain tractors equipped with caterpillar diesel engines, the variable valve actuation oil line may wear against the sharp edge of the cylinder head if not positioned correctly.
Consequence: The oil line may be cut on the cylinder head causing an oil leak and a possible fire.
Remedy: Caterpillar, in conjunction with paccar, will be conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign free of charge. Owners may call caterpillar at 309-675-6496, kenworth at 425-828-5440, or peterbilt at 940-591-4201.
Filed by PACCAR INCORPORATED (manufacturer campaign 05KW7 & 1205E).
Defect, as filed: On certain trucks equipped with the bendix electronic stability control (esp) system, the system uses multiple sensors and an electronic control unit (ECU) to control vehicle under steer, over-steer, and rollover situations. The system relies on vehicle sensors to be functioning and aligned properly. The steering angle sensor has the potential to be misaligned with the steering column shaft, thereby providing incorrect information to the bendix ECU.
Consequence: This condition could affect vehicle throttle control and braking, thereby leading to loss of vehicle steering control which could cause a crash without warning.
Remedy: Because of the immediate and substantial risk, kenworth and peterbilt dealers will first deactivate the yaw control feature of the bendix esp system preventing inadvertent esp activation. When parts are available, the steering column will be replaced to insure proper alignment of the steering shaft sensor and the full esp system will be reactivated. The recall began on december 7, 2005. Parts to complete the remedy are estimated to be available in early 2006. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 1-940-591-4201.
Filed by PACCAR INCORPORATED (manufacturer campaign 05KW6 & 1105D).
Defect, as filed: On certain heavy duty trucks, the pivot bolts which hold the seat back frame to the seat cushion frame can loosen and possibly fracture or dislodge, causing the seat back to fail to provide full support to the driver.
Consequence: A possible vehicle crash could occur should the seat fall backwards during use.
Remedy: Gra-mag will provide customers with repair kits which include instructions and parts to repair the seat. Owners should contact gra-mag at 614-875-8435 or peterbilt at 940-591-4201.
Filed by PACCAR INCORPORATED (manufacturer campaign 1104E).
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 2005 Peterbilt 387 (black) against all 2005 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 2005 | 387 line | All 2005 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Air | 500 | 142.9 | 1 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 500 | 142.9 | 58.1 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 2005 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 500 | 142.9 | 1 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 500 | 142.9 | 58.1 |
2 unique complaints, 2 component mentions; 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
No NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation action in the current file names this model year.
Other Peterbilt 387 model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 154 |
| 1999 | 7 | 0 | 15,081 |
| 2000 | 7 | 0 | 8,800 |
| 2001 | 2 | 2 | 2,456 |
| 2002 | 2 | 0 | 3,312 |
| 2003 | 2 | 0 | 1,670 |
| 2004 | 3 | 1 | 31,286 |
| 2005 | 4 | 2 | 31,527 |
| 2006 | 4 | 0 | 244,630 |
| 2007 | 6 | 0 | 235,356 |
| 2008 | 14 | 4 | 720,503 |
| 2009 | 9 | 2 | 708,183 |
| 2010 | 6 | 0 | 694,148 |
| 2011 | 6 | 0 | 684,835 |
| 2012 | 3 | 0 | 678,409 |
| 2013 | 2 | 0 | 673,745 |
| 2014 | 2 | 0 | 673,745 |
| 2015 | 2 | 0 | 673,745 |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 | 673,745 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All Peterbilt 387 model years · Peterbilt: 43 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 2005 Peterbilt 387 have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 06V251000, was reported to NHTSA on 13 Jul 2006 and concerns equipment. Across all model years the Peterbilt 387 line has 34 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 2005 Peterbilt 387?
No NHTSA investigation in the current file names this model year.
What component do owners of the 2005 Peterbilt 387 complain about most?
Service Brakes, Air: 1 of 2 component mentions (500 per 1,000). Next is engine and engine cooling with 1. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.