VehicleVerdict

2005 Peterbilt 387 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 2 complaints on file for the 2005 Peterbilt 387 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

2

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other 387 years?

See all 387 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Peterbilt 387 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes150%
Engine150%

Does the 2005 Peterbilt 387 have recalls?

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

06V251000OtherJuly 13, 2006 · 40 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, WHEN USING A CUMMINS ELECTRONIC ICON SERVICE TOOL 2.2, AN UNINTENDED ENGINE START WILL OCCUR.

Consequence

GIVEN THE PURPOSE AND FUNCTIONALITY OF THIS SERVICE TOOL, THIS SERIES OF EVENTS WOULD ONLY OCCUR IN A SERVICE FACILITY AND COULD POSE A HAZARD IF THE TRUCK WERE TO UNEXPECTEDLY MOVE OR THE ENGINE TO START WITHOUT ANY WARNING, POSSIBLY CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

CUMMINS IS CONDUCTING THIS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 06E063000) AND WILL REPLACE THE ICON SERVICE TOOL 2.2 WITH A NEW ICON SERVICE TOOL 2.3 FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-343-7357 OR PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4201.

05V570000EngineDecember 22, 2005 · 30,995 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THE OIL LINE MAY BE CUT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD CAUSING AN OIL LEAK AND A POSSIBLE FIRE.

Remedy

CATERPILLAR, IN CONJUNCTION WITH PACCAR, WILL BE CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CALL CATERPILLAR AT 309-675-6496, KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440, OR PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201.

05V543000SteeringNovember 29, 2005 · 241 units

Defect

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 PROPERLY. THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE MISALIGNED WITH THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT, THEREBY PROVIDING INCORRECT INFORMATION TO THE BENDIX ECU.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD AFFECT VEHICLE THROTTLE CONTROL AND BRAKING, THEREBY LEADING TO LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

BECAUSE OF THE IMMEDIATE AND SUBSTANTIAL RISK, KENWORTH AND PETERBILT DEALERS WILL FIRST DEACTIVATE THE YAW CONTROL FEATURE OF THE BENDIX ESP SYSTEM PREVENTING INADVERTENT ESP ACTIVATION. WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE, THE STEERING COLUMN WILL BE REPLACED TO INSURE PROPER ALIGNMENT OF THE STEERING SHAFT SENSOR AND THE FULL ESP SYSTEM WILL BE REACTIVATED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 7, 2005. PARTS TO COMPLETE THE REMEDY ARE ESTIMATED TO BE AVAILABLE IN EARLY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440 OR PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4201.

04V548000SeatsNovember 16, 2004 · 251 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE SEAT FALL BACKWARDS DURING USE.

Remedy

GRA-MAG WILL PROVIDE CUSTOMERS WITH REPAIR KITS WHICH INCLUDE INSTRUCTIONS AND PARTS TO REPAIR THE SEAT. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GRA-MAG AT 614-875-8435 OR PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 2, 2006

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

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 22, 2007

2005 Peterbilt 387 — common questions

Is the 2005 Peterbilt 387 reliable?

The record is thin — 2 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2005 Peterbilt 387 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 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.