VehicleVerdict

2001 Peterbilt 387 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 2 complaints on file for the 2001 Peterbilt 387 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

2

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other 387 years?

387 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted7 complaints1998: 0 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 0 complaints2001: 2 complaints2002: 0 complaints2003: 0 complaints2004: 1 complaints2005: 2 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 7 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 0 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 0 complaints
387 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 387 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Peterbilt 387 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes150%
Suspension150%

Does the 2001 Peterbilt 387 have recalls?

2 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.

02V018001BrakesJanuary 15, 2002 · 2,302 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR WABCO PNEUMATIC ANITLOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) VALVE PACKAGES, THE ASSEMBLY BOLTS ON THESE VALVE PACKAGES WERE NOT TIGHTENED CORRECTLY.

Consequence

BOLTS TORQUED BELOW SPECIFICATION WILL NOT RELIABLY PREVENT AIR LEAKAGE AT THE AFFECTED ABS VALVE PACKAGE INTERFACE JOINTS ONCE THE COMPONENT BEGINS NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. IF AIR LEAKS DEVELOP AT ANY OF THE ABS VALVE PACKAGE INTERFACE JOINTS, BRAKE SYSTEM PRESSURE REDUCTIONS COULD OCCUR DURING BRAKING OR NORMAL OPERATION WITH UNITS EQUIPPED WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL OPTION, POTENTIALLY EXTENDING STOPPING DISTANCES, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE FASTENERS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 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 KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440 OR PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4201.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“SUSPENSION WAS WRONG TYPE, AND VEHICLE MADE TO PULL TRAILER. TRAILER HEIGHT WAS 13'9, " NOT LEGAL 13'6". DEALER WOULD NOT TAKE VEHICLE BACK, CONSUMER TRADED VEHICLE.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · May 1, 2000

“VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE SUDDENLY WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FIRE RESULTED FROM A BRAKE DRUM FAILURE CAUSING A TIRE FIRE WHICH SPREAD THROUGH THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF TRACTOR, AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE DEFECTS SUCH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 1, 2001 · fire

2001 Peterbilt 387 — common questions

Is the 2001 Peterbilt 387 reliable?

The record is thin — 2 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2001 Peterbilt 387 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 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.