- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2021 Peterbilt 389 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2021 Peterbilt 389 with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (1). It is covered by 6 recalls, the latest in December 2024 for the control unit / module. For comparison, the 2020 has 0 and the 2022 has 4.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical 389 year, for its age
#371 most complained-about 2021 vehicle
- Complaints
- 1
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2021 Peterbilt 389 problems
Share of all 1 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2021 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 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- 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, Inc. (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Peterbilt 367, 389, 567, and 579 vehicles. The cross member mounted Hill Start Assist valve assembly may have insufficient clearance to the rear axle, causing damage to the rear brake hose and loss of the rear brake signal.
- The 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.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect for clearance and re-work the assembly to conform with an updated design, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 24, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 11, 2022. Owners may contact PACCAR's customer service at 1-940-591-4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's number for this recall is 21PBJ.
- The problem
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Kenworth T680, T880, W990, T800, W900 and Peterbilt 579, 567, 389, 367 vehicles equipped with a Cummins X15 engine. The capscrews that attach the flywheel to the crankshaft may have been improperly torqued, allowing the flywheel to detach.
- The 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.
- The fix
- PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will properly torque the capscrews and the engine will also be inspected for damage and, if necessary, repaired, free of charge. The recall began on March 29, 2021. 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 21KWA and 21PBB.
- The problem
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Peterbilt 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, 567 and Kenworth T800, T880, W900, W990 vehicles equipped with Watson and Chalin steerable lift axle suspension systems (model SL2065). The axles may have lower rear pivot bolts that are not long enough to sufficiently engage the locking feature of the corresponding nuts.
- The 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.
- The fix
- PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect suspect chassis and replace the pivot bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2020. 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 is 20PBE and 20KWC.
What owners say
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1 complaints about the 2021 Peterbilt 389
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2021 Peterbilt 389. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle after running out of diesel, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The contact stated that while restarting the vehicle, the fuel filters needed to be refilled with diesel. The contact stated that whenever a trailer was serviced, the date and mileage were written on the filters. The contact stated that the mileage was significantly higher as written on the filter than what...
Read the full complaint
was written on the sales contract and shown on the odometer. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 411,000, and while refilling the fuel filters, the mileage was 671,000.
Peterbilt 389: every year compared
All 389 yearsQuestions about the 2021 Peterbilt 389
Does the 2021 Peterbilt 389 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2021 Peterbilt 389: control unit / module (December 2024); column shift (March 2024); service brakes, air (November 2021); hoses, lines / piping, and fittings (August 2021) 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 2021 Peterbilt 389?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (1).
How many complaints has the 2021 Peterbilt 389 had?
1 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on November 12, 2025 and the latest on November 12, 2025. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2021 Peterbilt 389 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 40 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 2021 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