- The problem
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Kenworth T270, T370, T440, T470, T660, T680, T880, T800, W900, W990; and 2018-2020 Peterbilt 330, 337, 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, 567, and 579 vehicles. The Dana D-Series axle steer arm fasteners that attach the steering arm to the steering knuckle may fail.
- The risk
- Fastener failure can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace and torque the steer arm fasteners, at no charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2022. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 22 PBB and 22 KWB.
Vehicle safety record
2019 Peterbilt 389 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2019 Peterbilt 389 with NHTSA, most often about the steering (1) and the wheels & tires (1). It is covered by 6 recalls, the latest in April 2022 for the critical fasteners. For comparison, the 2018 has 0 and the 2020 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical 389 year, for its age
#280 most complained-about 2019 vehicle
- Complaints
- 3
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2019 Peterbilt 389 problems
Share of all 3 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2019 Peterbilt 389 recalls 6
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
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Kenworth T880, W990, Peterbilt 567, 579, 389, and 2022 Peterbilt 536, 537 wrecker and auto hauler vehicles. The work brake (winch brake) may unintentionally disengage the service brakes during winching operations, causing the vehicle to roll.
- The risk
- Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- The fix
- Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 2022. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-425-828-5888 (Kenworth); or 1-940-591-4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 21KWG and 21PBM.
- The problem
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2008-2019 Peterbilt 330, 335, 337, 340, 348, 365, 367, 384, 386, 387, 388, 389, 567, 579 and 587 vehicles and 2008-2020 Kenworth T170, T270, T370, T660, T680, T800, T880, and W900 vehicles equipped with NAMUX Software. In the event that the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) loses battery and/or ignition power to the controller, the dash warning light for the ABS may not illuminate to warn the driver of the loss of ABS. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems," and 136, "Electronic Stability Control System on Heavy Vehicles."
- The risk
- If the driver unknowingly operates the vehicle without the ABS functioning, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
- The fix
- PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will update the NAMUX software within the cab control module, free of charge. PACCAR issued owners an interim notification on June 4, 2020. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 20pbc AND 20KWB.
- The problem
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Peterbilt 365, 389, 567, and 579 vehicles equipped with a left-hand under hood jumper terminal (option code 2539410). The positive battery jumper terminal cable may be too long, allowing it to chafe against the left front suspension spring and result in an electrical short circuit.
- The risk
- An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
- The fix
- PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the battery jumper terminal cables, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 30, 2020. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 20PBA.
- The problem
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Peterbilt 337, 348, 365, 367, 389, 567, 579 and 587 trucks and 2018-2019 Kenworth C500, T270, T370, T440, T660, T680, T800, T880 and W900 trucks equipped with automated manual transmissions. An internal component in the clutch assembly may fail, possibly resulting in unintended vehicle movement.
- The risk
- Unintended movement of a vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will update the transmission control module, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2019. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 18PBE and 18KWH.
- The problem
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Kenworth C500, T600, T660, T680, T800, T880 and W900 trucks, as well as Peterbilt 367, 386, 389, 567, 579 and 587 trucks, equipped with Cummins ISX15 or X15 diesel engines. In certain driving conditions, such as on a long down-hill grade, the fuel line may burst if the fuel pump cooling circuit screen becomes restricted.
- The 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.
- The fix
- Cummins will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect fuel pump cooling circuit screen, free of charge. The recall began November 21, 2018. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 18E081.
What owners say
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3 complaints about the 2019 Peterbilt 389
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
- The steering arm on the driver side of the Dana D-Series axle that was installed from the Peterbilt factory on a new 2019 Peterbilt 389 that was purchased new by Acord Transportation, Inc. is what failed. The steering arm on the D-Series axle bolts to the steering knuckle with two bolts as opposed to being one solid cast piece as in other families of Dana axles - such as the E-Series. When backing into a parking space the two bolts holding the steering arm to the steering knuckle broke, causing the steering arm...
Read the full complaint
to come free from the steering knuckle - ultimately causing a catastrophic failure and a complete loss of steering. Peterbilt took the steering arm for inspection following the failure, but did not return it to us. - Had this incident occurred while traveling on a public roadway, the driver would have lost all ability to steer the commercial vehicle (which could potentially be weighing 80,000 lbs and transporting hazardous materials) and would have no control over where the unit went. It could have resulted in an auto or property collision - potentially causing multiple injuries or fatalities. - We know of another company that has had two failures identical to this one. Allegedly, Dana Spicer admitted to our Peterbilt dealer that they knew of 12 other failures such as this. - The truck that experienced the failure was taken to the dealership where it was purchased. It was repaired by retrofitting the axle to the E-Series components. As mentioned, they kept the steering arm/bolts that failed. - There was no warning, nor is there potential to be any warning. If this happens, it will happen immediately and all control of the vehicle by the driver will be lost. The bolts that failed appeared to have been corroding for a period of time prior to the failure. However, there is no way to visually inspect the condition of the bolts without removing several components on the tire/wheel, hub and brake assembly and completely removing the bolts.
We purchased this truck march 4, 2018. Since that date a total of three (3) passenger quarter fenders have "fallen off" the truck. The last set had lock tight on the bolt. It is only involving the passenger side. Unsure if the bolt broke or just backed out. The last one when it came off hit our primary air line and kinked it. Lucky it didn't sever it. Also we have had three (3) "country" horns vibrate into pieces. Also the last horn was attached with lock tight to prevent the bugles from coming off as directed...
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by the supplier. All the bugles have fallen off due to the excessive vibrations of this particular model year. Needless to say we are tired of replacing parts that vibrate or break off on a new truck!!!! The fenders go under our drives and out the back. Fortunately nobody has been injured due to the flaw of this part. The vehicle was in motion in all instances on a highway. Various dates with the latest indicated. The air compressor started making a strange sound before it eventually failed. We could not maintain air pressure in the tanks and the low pressure light would come on forcing us to pull the truck over so the spring brakes would not engage. We've also had air dryer issues and the braided fuel line to the fuel pump had worn chafed and worn through due to a routing problem. We were told that this allowed air into the fuel which increased regenerations more than normal
I purchased a 2019 peterbilt truck in may of 2018. The front left steer tire failed on june 18,2018 at highway speeds. Rapid air pressure loss, and having to take emergency evasive action. The tire had only 10,580 miles. I chocked it up to the possibility of a road hazard, and left it at that. Fast forward to today october 11,2018. Right side steer tire failed at highway speed. Truck now has 54,653 miles on it. I was fortunate enough to keep the tire today and it struck me as odd that the sidewall on one side...
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separated cleanly from the tread. The other side also separated, but it shows signs of tearing the plys that I assume are there to strengthen the joint between the face and the sidewall of the tire. Needless to say, commercial vehicles losing steer tires is one of the most dangerous situations we could encounter. I am working on repairs as I type this complaint. I will be replacing the tire, wheel, and a brake line that became kinked due to the tire. *Dt *tr
Peterbilt 389: every year compared
All 389 years2019 Peterbilt 389 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Peterbilt 389 | 3 | 6 | C | |
| 2019 Peterbilt 579 | 2 | 8 | C | Compare |
| 2019 Peterbilt 567 | 1 | 8 | C | Compare |
| 2019 Peterbilt 520 | 1 | 8 | F | 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 2019 Peterbilt 389
Does the 2019 Peterbilt 389 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2019 Peterbilt 389: critical fasteners (April 2022); service brakes, air (November 2021); electronic stability control (ESC) (April 2020); cables (March 2020) and more. 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 2019 Peterbilt 389?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the steering (1), wheels & tires (1), body, doors & structure (1).
How many complaints has the 2019 Peterbilt 389 had?
3 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on October 11, 2018 and the latest on March 9, 2022. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2019 Peterbilt 389 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 47 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Peterbilt 389 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 389 years have the most complaints?
2015 (7), 2022 (4), 2019 (3). See every Peterbilt 389 year compared.
What should I do if my 2019 Peterbilt 389 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