Peterbilt 389 problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 11 owner complaints and 41 recalls on file for the Peterbilt 389 (2005–2025).

Complaints
11
Recalls
41
Model years
21
Worst year
—

Complaints by model year

2005200722009201120132015201722019120214202322025
NHTSA complaints per Peterbilt 389 model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Every Peterbilt 389 model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2025 38900002—
2024 38920005Brakes
2023 38900006—
2022 38940007Suspension
2021 38910006Electrical System
2020 38900005—
2019 38920006Body & Structure
2018 38900006—
2017 38900007—
2016 38900008—
2015 389000010—
2014 38900007—
2013 38900008—
2012 38900009—
2011 38900007—
2010 38900007—
2009 38900007—
2008 38920007Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2007 38900004—
2006 38900002—
2005 38900001—

Most common Peterbilt 389 problem areas (all years)

  • Brakes
    4 complaints
  • Electrical System
    3 complaints
  • Steering
    2 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    1 complaints
  • Suspension
    1 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    1 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    1 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    1 complaints
  • Engine
    1 complaints

Complaint trend

Complaints about the Peterbilt 389 received by NHTSA each month.

Peterbilt 389 recalls

  • Recall 24V915000Dec 9, 2024220,764 vehiclesModel years 2021–2025

    Risk: Safety systems that depend on the ECU (Automatic Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Active Cruise Control, and Collison Mitigation System) may not function properly or at all, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 24V908000Dec 3, 202468 vehiclesModel years 2024

    Risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 24V190000Mar 20, 202470,509 vehiclesModel years 2021–2024

    Risk: A loss of communication between the gear shifter and the transmission may result in the vehicle becoming disabled after coming to a stop, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 24V044000Jan 25, 202445,887 vehiclesModel years 2024–2025

    Risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 24V043000Jan 25, 202468 vehiclesModel years 2024

    Risk: An improperly installed wheel end hub assembly can leak oil, causing the axle spindles to loosen or fracture and increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V782000Oct 18, 202279 vehiclesModel years 2023

    Risk: Tie rod separation can result in a sudden loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V779000Oct 17, 202274,730 vehiclesModel years 2022–2023

    Risk: The loss of display information, such as vehicle speed and warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V631000Aug 17, 20221,601 vehiclesModel years 2023

    Risk: An unexpected engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V547000Jul 28, 202247,500 vehiclesModel years 2022–2023

    Risk: A fractured steering gear can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V277000Apr 25, 202217,641 vehiclesModel years 2018–2020

    Risk: Fastener failure can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

  • Recall 21V906000Nov 19, 2021908 vehiclesModel years 2019–2022

    Risk: Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

  • Recall 21V648000Aug 19, 2021163 vehiclesModel years 2021–2022

    Risk: If loss of the rear brake signal occurs, the vehicle could experience reduced rear braking capability or loss of brakes to the rear axle(s), increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 21V080000Feb 17, 2021132 vehiclesModel years 2021–2022

    Risk: A detached flywheel can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, driveline pieces may be ejected from the engine compartment, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 20V506000Aug 26, 20201,097 vehiclesModel years 2020–2021

    Risk: The short screws can cause the hardware to separate from the suspension system and become road hazards, increasing the risk of a crash and/or injury.

  • Recall 20V199000Apr 6, 2020460,515 vehiclesModel years 2008–2019

    Risk: If the driver unknowingly operates the vehicle without the ABS functioning, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

  • Recall 20V130000Mar 4, 202035,671 vehiclesModel years 2015–2020

    Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 19V911000Dec 19, 2019148 vehiclesModel years 2020

    Risk: If the rear axle output shaft fractures, the shaft or interaxle driveline could detach and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 18V931000Dec 21, 201825,556 vehiclesModel years 2018–2019

    Risk: Unintended movement of a vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 18V657000Sep 21, 201848,896 vehiclesModel years 2017–2019

    Risk: If the fuel line bursts, fuel may leak onto the road resulting in a roadway hazard for other motorists. The engine may also stall without warning, resulting in the vehicle's inability to restart, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 17V593000Sep 22, 201717,737 vehiclesModel years 2016

    Risk: If the tie rod loosens, it may disconnect from the steering knuckle, causing a complete loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 17V443000Jul 13, 20171,737 vehiclesModel years 2017–2018

    Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 16V872000Dec 5, 20162,046 vehiclesModel years 2017

    Risk: If the brake lights do not illuminate when the brakes are applied, other drivers will be unaware the vehicle is stopping, which can increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 16V803000Nov 4, 2016202 vehiclesModel years 2017

    Risk: A partial tread separation may increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 16V426000Jun 10, 20163,227 vehiclesModel years 2017

    Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 15V740000Nov 9, 20151,876 vehiclesModel years 2015–2016

    Risk: Higher vehicle speeds and other factors such as tire load and road temperatures may result in premature tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.

Other Peterbilt models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology