Recall 11V331 affects 72 2012 Peterbilt 587 tractors for defective driveline welds. Repair is free at any franchised Peterbilt dealer.
Peterbilt issued recall 11V331 for 72 2012 587 tractors because Meritor Maxton driveline tubing has an insufficiently bonded seam weld. When torque is applied, the weld can fracture, and the driveline can become inoperable or drop debris onto the road; the Peterbilt dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The driveline on a 2012 Peterbilt 587 tractor carries engine power from the transmission toward the drive axle. The affected Meritor Maxton RPL25 coupling shaft and main slip shaft are rotating tube assemblies in that power path. They have to stay straight, bonded, and balanced while the truck is under load.
On affected tractors, the driveline tube can have a long welded joint with insufficient bonding. That means the metal along the joint was not fully joined during manufacturing. A weak joint can lose strength as the shaft turns under torque, which puts the driveline assembly at risk of coming apart instead of transferring power cleanly.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the shaft fails, the driver is not promised a sound, vibration, warning light, or other early cue from the recall record.
Who's affected?
| 2012 Peterbilt 587 | driveline |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 72 |
Not every 2012 Peterbilt 587 truck is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
A fractured drive shaft tube weld can leave the driveline inoperable, disable the vehicle, or drop driveline debris onto the roadway. That raises crash risk for the driver and other traffic. Drive cautiously and schedule the recall work with a Peterbilt dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Peterbilt dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Peterbilt 587 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Peterbilt dealer and ask whether the main drive shaft replacement is open for recall number 11V331.
- Ask Peterbilt customer service at 1-425-468-7400 if the dealer needs help confirming the recall or repair path.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 11V331 when you call or arrive.
- Avoid driving with driveline vibration, banging, loss of drive power, or parts hanging under the tractor until the dealer inspects it.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Peterbilt technician replaces the main drive shaft covered by this recall. The source remedy says the replacement is free of charge and the safety recall began on August 11, 2011. Because the current remedy status is not listed, call a Peterbilt dealer with your VIN before arranging service and ask whether parts are available for your truck. Once the repair is open for your VIN, parts and labor are covered.
Timeline
| June 23, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 11, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V331?
Recall 11V331 covers 72 2012 Peterbilt 587 tractors equipped with Meritor's MAXTON driveline assemblies. The tube seam weld on the affected driveline shaft can fracture under torque. Peterbilt dealers replace the main drive shaft for free.
What should I do if my 2012 Peterbilt 587 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific tractor is included in recall 11V331. If it is, contact a franchised Peterbilt dealer to schedule the main drive shaft replacement. Reference recall number 11V331 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Peterbilt dealers replace the main drive shaft free of charge under recall 11V331. The recall repair began on August 11, 2011.
What is the safety risk?
A fractured driveline tube seam weld can make the driveline inoperable, disabling the tractor. Driveline debris can also fall onto the roadway. Both conditions increase crash risk, so confirm the VIN and arrange the free Peterbilt dealer repair if the tractor is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V331000 |
|---|---|
| Peterbilt customer service | 1-425-468-7400 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V331 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V331000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →