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2015 Peterbilt 388
7 recall campaigns and 3 complaints are on NHTSA's register for the 2015 Peterbilt 388; the recalls concern electronic stability control (esc), tires and electrical system.
The component named most often is wheels: 428.6 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 21.5 per 1,000 across all 2015 model-year vehicles and against 333.3 per 1,000 for the Peterbilt 388 line as a whole.
That is more than the average of 1.2 complaints per model year across the 16 Peterbilt 388 model years on this register.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2014 (3); the most recent in the file is dated 18 Nov 2014.
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: 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."
Consequence: 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.
Filed by PACCAR Incorporated (manufacturer campaign 20pbc AND 20KWB); components: electronic stability control (esc); service brakes, air:antilock:abs warning light.
Defect, as filed: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2015 Peterbilt model 388 vehicles manufactured from January 28, 2014, through February 3, 2014. The affected vehicles were built with Michelin MN295/60 R22.5 XZA front tires and 8.25" wheels and were certified to a GAWR greater than the maximum 12,350 lbs allowed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 120, "Tire Selection and Rims for Motor Vehicles Other Than Passenger Cars."
Consequence: If the truck exceeds the load rating on the tire, the tire may suddenly fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Peterbilt will notify owners, and dealers will replace the 8.25" front wheels with 9.00" wheels and re-program the maximum vehicle speed to the appropriate settings, free of charge. The recall began on January 14, 2016. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. PACCAR's recall campaign number for this recall is 1115Q.
Filed by PACCAR Incorporated (manufacturer campaign 1115Q).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by PACCAR Incorporated (manufacturer campaign 1115P).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by PACCAR Incorporated (manufacturer campaign 715-K).
Defect, as filed: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2006-2016 Peterbilt 587, 579, 567, 389, 388, 387, 385, 382, 379, 378, 367, 365 and 357 trucks manufactured July 25, 2005, to February 26, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with Tire and Rim Certification Labels that list a tire pressure below the actual correct amount. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 120, "Tire selection and rims and motor home/recreation vehicle trailer load carrying capacity information for motor vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds)."
Consequence: If the tires are underinflated due to the incorrect inflation pressure listed on the label, the truck may not be able to carry the maximum gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) load listed without experiencing tire failure which would increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Peterbilt will notify owners and mail them a corrected Tire and Rim certification label, free of charge. The recall began on June 19, 2015. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. PACCAR's number for this recall is 215-D.
Filed by PACCAR Incorporated (manufacturer campaign 215-D); components: equipment:other:labels; tires.
Defect, as filed: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2009-2015 Peterbilt 320, 365, 367, 388, and 389 trucks manufactured July 21, 2008, to February 28, 2014. The front axle tie rod end clamp bolts may be improperly torqued.
Consequence: Undertorqued tie rod end clamp bolts are susceptible to corrosion, which may cause loose bolts to separate resulting in a loss of vehicle control and an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle tie rod assembly on any vehicle where the factory installed assembly has not been previously replaced, free of charge. Owners were mailed interim notices on May 11, 2015. The recall began on April 4, 2016. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 215-C.
Filed by PACCAR Incorporated (manufacturer campaign 215-C).
Defect, as filed: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Peterbilt 579, 388, 384, 367, 365, 348, and 337 trucks manufactured October 30, 2009, through May 21, 2014. In the affected vehicles, if power is interrupted to the seat electronic control unit (ECU), such as when the fuse for that circuit blows, the side air bag would be disabled but there will not be a warning lamp indicator to notify the operator of the malfunction.
Consequence: Without a warning of a problem existing in the side air bag system, the driver may continue to operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury from the side air bag not deploying in the event of a rollover.
Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will install a new electrical harness to correct them problem, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. Paccar's number for this recall is 514-F.
Filed by PACCAR Incorporated (manufacturer campaign 514-F); components: electrical system; air bags.
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 2015 Peterbilt 388 (black) against all 2015 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 2015 | 388 line | All 2015 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheels | 428.6 | 333.3 | 21.5 |
| Structure | 285.7 | 151.5 | 45.9 |
| Electrical System | 142.9 | 60.6 | 110.4 |
| Tires | 142.9 | 393.9 | 7 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheels | 3 | 428.6 | 333.3 | 21.5 |
| Structure | 2 | 285.7 | 151.5 | 45.9 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 142.9 | 60.6 | 110.4 |
| Tires | 1 | 142.9 | 393.9 | 7 |
3 unique complaints, 7 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 388 model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 561 |
| 2005 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 561 |
| 2006 | 2 | 0 | 213,791 |
| 2007 | 7 | 0 | 235,137 |
| 2008 | 17 | 0 | 721,376 |
| 2009 | 15 | 0 | 716,584 |
| 2010 | 11 | 0 | 703,905 |
| 2011 | 11 | 0 | 694,592 |
| 2012 | 10 | 0 | 704,386 |
| 2013 | 9 | 0 | 699,722 |
| 2014 | 8 | 16 | 694,942 |
| 2015 | 7 | 3 | 682,770 |
| 2016 | 3 | 0 | 674,033 |
| 2017 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 460,515 |
| 2018 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 460,515 |
| 2019 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 460,515 |
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 388 model years · Peterbilt: 43 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 2015 Peterbilt 388 have?
7 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 20V199000, was reported to NHTSA on 6 Apr 2020 and concerns electronic stability control (esc). Across all model years the Peterbilt 388 line has 30 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 2015 Peterbilt 388?
No NHTSA investigation in the current file names this model year.
What component do owners of the 2015 Peterbilt 388 complain about most?
Wheels: 3 of 7 component mentions (428.6 per 1,000). Next is structure with 2. 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.