Total Complaints
2 filings
PETERBILT 387 · model year
2005 PETERBILT 387
2 NHTSA complaints, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2005PETERBILT387 carries 2 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 387 is service brakes, air:supply:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings with 1 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2005 387. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
2
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL | 1 |
Recalls (4)
05V54300029/11/2005
STEERING
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 PROPERL
05V57000022/12/2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
04V54800016/11/2004
SEATS
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.
06V25100013/07/2006
EQUIPMENT
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, WHEN USING A CUMMINS ELECTRONIC ICON SERVICE TOOL 2.2, AN UNINTENDED ENGINE START WILL OCCUR.
Recent Complaints
20100908ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
2005 PETERBILT 387. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED PRIOR TO THE RECALL, HE HAD TO FIX SEVERAL OIL LEAKS ON THE TRUCK AND INCURRED COSTLY EXPENSES. THE TRUCK HAD TO BE TOWED DUE TO A HOLE IN THE VVA OIL LINE. *JB
20060802SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON ROUGH ROAD CONDITIONS, THE AIR TANK BRACKET OF THE AIR BRAKE SUPPLY FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND A DEALER WHO REPLACED THE AIR BRACKETS, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.
Mileage: 322,232
Compare 2005PETERBILT387 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2005 PETERBILT 387 have?▼
The 2005 PETERBILT 387 has 2 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 PETERBILT 387?▼
Yes, the 2005 PETERBILT 387 has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is STEERING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 PETERBILT 387?▼
The most-complained component for the 2005 PETERBILT 387 is SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL.
Is the 2005 PETERBILT 387 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.