2024 Peterbilt 389 problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2024 Peterbilt 389, most often about brakes. There are 5 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 2
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Median mileage
- 180,000 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Brakes is the most-reported problem area, named in 2 of 2 complaints (100%).
- Electrical System (1) and other areas follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 180,000 mi.
- The 2024 Peterbilt 389 has 5 recalls on file.
- It ranks 4th of 5 Peterbilt 389 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
2024 Peterbilt 389 problems by category
- Brakes2 complaints
- Electrical System1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Electrical system | 1 |
| Service brakes | 1 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 1 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2024 Peterbilt 389 recalls (5)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Peterbilt and Kenworth vehicles, equipped with Bendix EC80 Advanced Electronic Control Units (ECU). Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. Electrical noise and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly process commands or stop functioning.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24KWL and 24PBL.
- STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM · STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2024 Peterbilt 367, 389, 548, Kenworth T480, T800, 2024-2025 Peterbilt 520, 567 and Kenworth T880 vehicles with PACCAR 20k steer axles. The steering arm and/or tie rod bracket fasteners may fail, resulting in a loss of steering control.
Risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install new correctly torqued fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2025. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 or Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24KWK and 24PBK.
- POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Peterbilt 365, 367, 389, 535, 536, 537, 548, 567, 579, and 2021-2025 Kenworth T180, T280, T380, T480, T680, T880 and W990 trucks. The right-hand gear shifter stalk connectors may have been improperly crimped, resulting in a loss of communication.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the gear shifter assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 15, 2025, then phased after that. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24PBE and 24KWE.
- STEERING
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Kenworth T280, T380, T480, T680, T880, L770, W990, and 2024-2025 Peterbilt 389, 520, 535, 536, 537, 548, 567, 579, 589 trucks. The steering gear assemblies may have been assembled incorrectly with fewer recirculating balls than are required, which may result in a loss of steering control.
Risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering gears as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 20, 2024. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220 and/or Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24PBC and 24KWC.
- STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2024 Peterbilt 367, 389, 520, 567, and Kenworth T800, T880, W900, and W990 trucks. The bearing journals may not be fully seated in the steering knuckle assemblies, preventing the proper installation of the wheel end hub assemblies.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering knuckle assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed February 23, 2024. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220 and/or Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24PBB and 24KWB.
Recent 2024 Peterbilt 389 complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Sep 21, 2026MABrakes
ABS tone rings are prone to premature corrosion and rust jacking causing the ABS system to fail along with the traction control. This corrosion causes the rings to warp prematurely. Not only is this an expensive and time-consuming fix, but it is also an extreme safety hazard. This condition has been noted on several trucks in the Fleet along with other local companies in the area.
NHTSA complaint #11765751 · source - Filed Feb 26, 2025180,000 miCABrakesElectrical System
The contact owns a 2024 Peterbilt 389. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced an inaccurate reading of the adaptive cruise control, causing the cruise control to disengage. Additionally, the contact stated after driving for an hour, the ABS, traction control, and electronic stability control warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V915000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical…
NHTSA complaint #11645076 · source
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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology