- The problem
- Throttle return spring may be incorrectly located.
- The risk
- This would cause throttle lever to not be undersufficient tension to comply with fmvss 124.
- The fix
- CORRECTLY LOCATE THROTTLE RETURN SPRINGS.
Vehicle safety record
1989 Peterbilt 320 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 1989 Peterbilt 320 with NHTSA, most often about the transmission & drivetrain (1). Those complaints describe 1 crash and 1 death. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in August 1989 for the springs. For comparison, the 1988 has 0 and the 1990 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical 320 year, for its age
#231 most complained-about 1989 vehicle
- Complaints
- 1
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 1
Most common 1989 Peterbilt 320 problems
Share of all 1 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1989 Peterbilt 320 recalls 3
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Throttle return springs may not be properly installed.
- The risk
- This would cause throttle lever to not be undersufficient tension to comply with fmvss 124.
- The fix
- CORRECTLY LOCATE THROTTLE RETURN SPRINGS.
- The problem
- Steering gear mounting bolts may not have been tightened to the proper torque value and could loosen and interfere with the pitman arm on steering gear.
- The risk
- This interference could result in the loss of steeringcontrol and an accident.
- The fix
- RETIGHTEN OR REPLACE MOUNTING BOLTS.
What owners say
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1 complaints about the 1989 Peterbilt 320
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
The peterbilt 320 - with an allison 754 ht transmission (automatic mechanical) has two (2) separate deadly defects: illusory neutral defect - shift indicator in cab reads neutral and vibration of vehicle causes the transmission to go into gear. This vehicle is usually used as refuse vehicles. This defects occurs usually when pto is on, which causes high rpms. The driver thinks the transmission is in neutral because the shift indicator in the cab shows neutral and the transmission is not engaged (that is, the...
Read the full complaint
vehicle will remain motionless on level ground). . Instead, the transmission is really is in between the neutral and drive positions. The vibration from the pto causes the transmission to unexpectedly drop into drive. The allison automatic transmission drops into drive (with high rpms) and the parking brake does not hold vehicle. Thus, the brakes are defective and the transmission is defective. In addition to a fatality, we have many drivers who have experienced this same defect. The illusory neutral defect occurs after shift cable stretches and/or becomes mal-adjusted. *Ak
Peterbilt 320: every year compared
All 320 years1989 Peterbilt 320 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 Peterbilt 320 | 1 | 3 | F | |
| 1989 Peterbilt Peterbilt | 2 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 1989 Peterbilt 300 Series | 1 | 0 | - | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1989 Peterbilt 320
Does the 1989 Peterbilt 320 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1989 Peterbilt 320: springs (August 1989); springs (August 1989); gear box (other than rack and pinion) (April 1989). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Peterbilt 320?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the transmission & drivetrain (1).
How many complaints has the 1989 Peterbilt 320 had?
1 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on June 9, 2001 and the latest on June 9, 2001. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 1 death.
Is the 1989 Peterbilt 320 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 17 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Peterbilt 320 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Peterbilt 320 years have the most complaints?
1989 (1), 2010 (1), 2012 (1). See every Peterbilt 320 year compared.
What should I do if my 1989 Peterbilt 320 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data