VehicleVerdict

2000 Peterbilt 387 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 2000 Peterbilt 387 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 7 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other 387 years?

See all 387 years to avoid →

Does the 2000 Peterbilt 387 have recalls?

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

03V125000SuspensionApril 1, 2003 · 154 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRUCK HUB UNITS MANUFACTURED BY SKF EXCLUSIVELY FOR USE ON ARVINMERITOR'S FF98X SERIES NON-DRIVE STEER AXLES, THE HUB UNIT BEARINGS CAN WEAR PREMATURELY.

Consequence

SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FRONT AXLE HUBS. NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 16, 2003. THE MANUFACTURER HAS ADVISED US THAT PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITH A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201 OR KENWORTH 425-828-5440.

02V037003SteeringJuly 15, 2002 · 4,513 units

Defect

HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW TIE ROD ENDS ON CERTAIN ARVINMERITOR AND DANA AXLES. PETERBILT WILL RECALL 1,434 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ARVINMERITOR AXLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 11, 1999, TO MAY 14, 2000, AND FROM JULY 22 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2000. KENWORTH WILL RECALL 859 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ARVINMERITOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 11, 1999, TO MAY 23, 2000, AND FROM JULY 27, 2000, TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND KENNWORTH WILL RECALL AN ADDITIONAL 4,151 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DANA AXLES AND MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 23 TO DECEMBER 6, 1999, AND FROM MAY 23 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2000. THE TIE ROD AND DRAG LINK BALL STUD ENDS CONTAIN BEARINGS THAT ARE BELOW THE SPECIFIED CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS.

Consequence

THIS CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR WITH POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL AFFECTED TIE RODS AND DRAG LINKS WITH DIFFERENT DESIGNED ENDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4201 OR KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.

01V140006SteeringAugust 28, 2001 · 2,294 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW TIE ROD ENDS ON CERTAIN MERITOR AXLES. THE TIE ROD AND DRAG LINK BALL STUD ENDS CONTAIN BEARINGS THAT ARE BELOW THE SPECIFIED CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS.

Consequence

THIS CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR WITH POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL AFFECTED TIE RODS AND DRAG LINKS WITH DIFFERENT DESIGNED ENDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 24, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4000 OR KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5000.

01V131000Electrical SystemApril 13, 2001 · 1,449 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH PETERBILT'S SMARTGAGE SYSTEM CONTAINING A REDUCED FUNCTION INTERFACE MODULE (RFIM). THIS MODULE RECEIVES DATA FROM VARIOUS COMPONENTS/SYSTEMS ON THE VEHICLE THEN SENDS THE INFORMATION TO A MICROPROCESSOR. A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE RFIM'S CAN ALLOW WATER TO PENETRATE INTO THE PRESSURE BLOCK PORTION OF THE MODULE, CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE PRESSURE TRANSDUCER CONNECTOR.

Consequence

THIS RESULTS IN AN ERRONEOUS AIR PRESSURE READING ON THE GAUGE IN THE DASH.

Remedy

THE RFIM DATE CODE WILL BE INSPECTED AND ALL RFIM'S BUILT PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 9, 2000 WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4000.

00V185000Fuel SystemJuly 6, 2000 · 154 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE SIDE FAIRING HINGE BAR AND MOUNTS CAN DETACH FROM THE FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE HINGE BAR CAN ROTATE AND SEPARATE FROM THE FAIRING, ALLOWING THE HINGE BAR ASSEMBLY TO FALL OFF OF THE VEHICLE.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE A ROAD HAZARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL NUT PLATE AND IF THE BRACKET IS CRACKED, THE FUEL TANK STRAP WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW STRAP AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY.

00V161000OtherJune 7, 2000 · 111 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE STEER AXLE MUDFLAPS AND/OR MUDFLAP STIFFENERS CAN RUB A HOLE IN THE FORWARD SURFACE OF THE UNDERCAB FUEL TANK, CAUSING A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK.

Consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PROVIDE REPLACEMENT MUDFLAP ASSEMBLIES SMALLER THAN THE ORIGINAL ASSEMBLIES TO OWNERS AND THE FUEL TANK WILL BE CHECKED FOR ABRASION AND REPLACED IF DAMAGED.

00V017000BrakesJanuary 19, 2000 · 125 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THERE IS AN INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE THROTTLE PEDAL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Consequence

THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY NOT OPERATE AS INTENDED, RESULTING IN GREATER BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT AND/OR DELAYED BRAKE RELEASE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE PEDAL BRACKET.

2000 Peterbilt 387 — common questions

Is the 2000 Peterbilt 387 reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 7 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2000 Peterbilt 387 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Peterbilt 387. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.