VehicleVerdict

2008 Peterbilt 320 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 2008 Peterbilt 320 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 8 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other 320 years?

See all 320 years to avoid →

Does the 2008 Peterbilt 320 have recalls?

8 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V452000LightingJune 14, 2019 · 343 units

Defect

PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 1990-2020 Peterbilt 320 and 520 vehicles built with specific amber rear turn signals. The turn signals may also light up with the stop/tail lights when the brakes are applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

Rear Turn signals that illuminate at the same time as the brake lights may create confusion and impair the effectiveness of the brake lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

PACCAR will notify owners, and for trucks with rear amber lights, dealers will add a jumper harness between the chassis electrical harness and amber tail lights, free of charge. The recall began August 1, 2019. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 19PBC.

15V309000EngineMay 26, 2015 · 4,823 units

Defect

PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2010-2016 Kenworth T440, T800, and W900 trucks manufactured August 31, 2009, to April 20, 2015, and 2008-2015 Peterbilt 320, 337, 348, 365, 382, and 384 trucks manufactured July 27, 2007, to April 28, 2015, and equipped with certain Cummins Westport ISL G engines. Excessive engine crankcase pressures may cause the 90-degree elbow of the vent tube assembly to detach from the crankcase ventilation breather, possibly allowing engine oil to come into contact with hot surfaces.

Consequence

If engine oil comes into contact with a hot surface, there is an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy

Cummins will notify owners on behalf of PACCAR, and Cummins service centers will administer the repairs which include securing the ends of the 90-degree elbow and reprogramming the electronic control module (ECM) with software that can adjust the engine output under misfire conditions to limit crankcase pressures. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2015. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000, Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000 or Cummins Inc. at 1-800-343-7357. PACCAR's number for this recall is 15KWH and 515-G.

08V510000EngineOctober 3, 2008 · 60 units

Defect

PACCAR IS RECALLING 60 MY 2008-2009 320 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR C13 DIESEL ENGINES. THE EXTENSION PIPES ATTACHED TO THE AFTERTREATMENT REGENERATION DEVICE (ARD) MAY DEVELOP A HOLE, AND HEAT AND FLAME MAY ESCAPE DURING A REGENERATION OF THE DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER.

Consequence

THIS MAY RESULT IN A FIRE HAZARD.

Remedy

PACCAR IS WORKING WITH CATERPILLAR TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE (PLEASE SEE 08E054). OWNERS MAY CONTACT CATERPILLAR AT 1-800-447-4986 OR PETERBILT AT 940-591-4196.

08V002000BrakesJanuary 8, 2008 · 2,794 units

Defect

CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH EATON SYNFLEX ECLIPSE BRAND EXTRUDED NYLON AIR BRAKE HOSE TUBING FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES." THE TUBING WAS MANUFACTURED WITH ONLY FOUR LAYERS OF NYLON MATERIAL, INSTEAD OF THE SPECIFIED FIVE LAYERS.

Consequence

THE DIAMETER OF THE HOSE AFFECTS THE FITTINGS WHICH MAY ALLOW AIR TO LEAK FROM THE BRAKES AND CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE AIR BRAKE HOSES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE HOSES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2008. OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440 OR PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4196.

07V591000SteeringDecember 20, 2007 · 559 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN KENWORTH AND PETERBILT HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TAS-85 TRW STEERING GEARS, THE INNER SURFACE OF THE OUTER SECTOR SHAFT TEETH OF THE STEERING GEARS MAY HAVE AN INCORRECT INVOLUTE PROFILE, WHICH MAY LEAD TO CHIPPING AND DAMAGE OF THE GEARING SYSTEM.

Consequence

THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE MAY CAUSE A "BIND/STICK" CONDITION IN THE VEHICLE STEERING DURING A TURN INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR AND REPLACE ANY SUSPECT TAS-85 STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 9, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440 AND PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201.

07V287000EngineJuly 5, 2007 · 618 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS BUILT WITH CUMMINS ISM C876 ENGINES, THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILS TO RECOGNIZE INPUTS OF THE VEHICLE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OR FROM A DRIVER ACTUATED DASH SWITCH THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF UNINTENDED (OR UNEXPECTED) ELEVATED EXHAUST TEMPERATURES.

Consequence

WHILE THIS CONDITION DOES NOT INVOLVE A RISK OF FIRE IN THE VEHICLE ITSELF, IT COULD PRESENT A FIRE HAZARD IN A SITUATION WHERE THE VEHICLE'S EXHAUST IS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO MATERIALS OR SUBSTANCES THAT CAN MELT, BURN, OR EXPLODE.

Remedy

CUMMINS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH PACCAR, WILL CONDUCT THE REMEDY CAMPAIGN. CUMMIS WILL INSTALL NEW ECM SOFTWARE. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-343-7357, PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201 OR KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440.

07V276000BrakesJune 27, 2007 · 16 units

Defect

CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVES. THE INTERNAL RUBBER CHECK VALVE MAY LEAK CAUSING A DELAY IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKES TO PARK THE VEHICLE AFTER THE OPERATOR PULLS THE DASH VALVE BUTTON.

Consequence

THIS COULD DELAY OR FAILURE IN APPLYING THE PARKING BRAKES POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE ROLL AWAY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CHECK VALVE REPAIR KIT FOR THE AFFECTED SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 22, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201.

07V132000TransmissionMarch 22, 2007 · 245 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE AXLE HOUSINGS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH STEEL THAT WAS OUT OF SPECIFICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FATIGUE FAILURE OVER TIME.

Consequence

IF A FATIGUE FAILURE OCCURS AND IS LEFT UNATTENDED, THE AXLE MAY LOCK UP OR THE END OF THE AXLE COULD COME OFF, WHICH MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE AXLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 9, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440 AND PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4196.

2008 Peterbilt 320 — common questions

Is the 2008 Peterbilt 320 reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 8 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2008 Peterbilt 320 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Peterbilt 320. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 Peterbilt 320 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.