PETERBILT 587 · model year

2012 PETERBILT 587

4 NHTSA complaints, and 8 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012PETERBILT587 carries 4 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 2 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 2012 587 is electrical system with 1 filings, followed by electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables (1) and fuel system, diesel:delivery:fuel pump (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 8 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 2012 587. 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.

4
Complaints
0
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

4 filings

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

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES1
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP1
ENGINE1

Recalls (8)

12V02600030/01/2012

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE

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

11V33100023/06/2011

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

PACCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 PETERBILT 587 TRACTORS, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 12, 2011, THROUGH MAY 20, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR'S MAXTON DRIVELINE ASSEMBLIES. THE TUBING MAY HAVE A SEAM WELD WITH INSUFFICIENT BONDING. THE AFFECTED DRIVELINE ASSEMBLIES ARE RPL25 COUPLING SHAFTS

11V12700023/02/2011

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

PACCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2012 KENWORTH T2000, T660, T700, T800, AND W900, AS WELL AS MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 PETERBILT 365, 367, 384, 386, 387, 388, 389, AND 587 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH PACCAR MX ENGINES. THE OIL MODULE CENTRIFUGAL SPINNER FILTER CAP IN THE PACCAR MX ENGINE MAY BECOME

15V45600022/07/2015

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

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 ma

15V64100009/10/2015

EQUIPMENT

Paccar Incorporated (Paccar) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Peterbilt 579 and 587 trucks manufactured February 14, 2011, to December 5, 2012 and 2011 Kenworth T700 trucks manufactured September 21, 2010, to October 1, 2010. The affected trucks are equipped with Fontaine Ultra LT Fifth Wh

15V27000008/05/2015

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

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

20V19900006/04/2020

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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-lo

15V13200006/03/2015

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

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

Recent Complaints

20250219FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

The contact owns a 2012 Peterbilt 587. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unaware of a warning light being illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road where the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to West Truck Services Center, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump had failed. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump plungers had fractured and intruded the engine. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that there were metal shavings inside the oil filter. The dealer determined that the fuel pump and engine rod bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: 140019. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a claim was filed; however, the claim was denied. The failure mileage was 468,742.

Mileage: 468,742

20250219ENGINE

The contact owns a 2012 Peterbilt 587. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unaware of a warning light being illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road where the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to West Truck Services Center, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump had failed. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump plungers had fractured and intruded the engine. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that there were metal shavings inside the oil filter. The dealer determined that the fuel pump and engine rod bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: 140019. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a claim was filed; however, the claim was denied. The failure mileage was 468,742.

Mileage: 468,742

20130422FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

2012 PETERBILT TRACTOR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POTENTIAL FIRE DEFECT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECENTLY INVESTIGATED THE CAUSE OF A FIRE IN THE TRACTOR AND DETERMINED THE CAUSE TO BE RELATED TO A POTENTIAL DEFECT IN THE MANNER IN WHICH THE BATTERY CABLES WERE SUPPORTED. THE BATTERY CABLES PASSED FROM THE BATTERY BOX ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE TRACTOR, AT A POSITION BEHIND THE CAB, TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AT THE LOCATION WHERE THE BATTERY CABLES PASSED THE ELECTRONIC CLUTCH ACTUATOR, THEY WERE HELD IN PLACE BY A PLASTIC TIE. DUE TO DRIVE TRAIN VIBRATION AND MOVEMENT, THE PLASTIC TIE USED TO SECURE THE BATTERY CABLES TO THE CLUTCH ACTUATOR SHIELD WERE PRONE TO FAILURE. THE PLASTIC TIE BROKE AT SOME TIME DURING ITS SERVICE LIFE AND THE WEIGHT OF THE BATTERY CABLES CAUSED THEM TO MIGRATE TOWARD THE BOTTOM OF THE CLUTCH ACTUATOR SHIELD. MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE UNSECURED CABLES AND THE SHIELD, WHICH OCCURRED OVER TIME, ABRADED THE INSULATION OF ONE OF THE POSITIVE CABLES. ONCE THE

20130411FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 PETERBILT 587. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THERE WAS A FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE HAD IGNITED. THE CABLES WERE ATTACHED TO THE ELECTRONIC CLUTCH ACTUATOR, WHICH HAD A PLASTIC COVER. THE PLASTIC TIE FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE BATTERY CABLES TO FAIL, ENERGIZING THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE BLOCK. THE HIGH HEAT CAUSED IT TO BECOME COMBUSTIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN BECAUSE OF THE FIRE DAMAGE. *TR UPDATED 7/2/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED DUE TO THE VIBRATION AND MOVEMENT, THE PLASTIC TIE USED TO SECURE THE BATTERY CABLES TO THE CLUTCH ACTUATOR SHEILD IS PRONE TO FAILURE. UPDATED 11/1/2013 *JS

Compare 2012PETERBILT587 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 PETERBILT 587 have?
The 2012 PETERBILT 587 has 4 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 PETERBILT 587?
Yes, the 2012 PETERBILT 587 has 8 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 PETERBILT 587?
The most-complained component for the 2012 PETERBILT 587 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES and FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP.
Is the 2012 PETERBILT 587 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.