2019 Peterbilt 389 recalls and problems

The 2019 Peterbilt 389 has 6 safety recalls and 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Peterbilt dealer.

Recalls
6
Complaints
3
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2019 Peterbilt 389 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2019 Peterbilt 389 recalls

Recall 22V-277: Steering

Reported Apr 25, 2022 · 17,641 vehicles affected · PACCAR Incorporated

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.

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

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.

Recall 21V-906: Electrical System, Service Brakes, Air

Reported Nov 19, 2021 · 908 vehicles affected · PACCAR Incorporated

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.

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

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.

Recall 20V-199: Service Brakes, Air, Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

Reported Apr 6, 2020 · 460,515 vehicles affected · PACCAR Incorporated

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."

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

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.

Recall 20V-130: Electrical System

Reported Mar 4, 2020 · 35,671 vehicles affected · PACCAR Incorporated

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.

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

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.

Recall 18V-931: Power Train

Reported Dec 21, 2018 · 25,556 vehicles affected · PACCAR Incorporated

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.

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

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.

Recall 18V-657: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Sep 21, 2018 · 48,896 vehicles affected · PACCAR Incorporated

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.

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.

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.

2019 Peterbilt 389 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Steering3
Tires1
Structure1
Unknown or Other1

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 1
  • Steering › Linkages — 1
  • Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 160,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2019 Peterbilt 389 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Steering · reported Mar 9, 2022
- 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 to come free from the steering knuckle - ultimately causing a catastrophic…
Structure · at 160,000 miles · reported Feb 15, 2020
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 by the supplier. All the bugles have fallen off due to the excessive vibrations of…
Tires · at 54,653 miles · reported Oct 11, 2018
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 separated cleanly from the tread. The other side also separated, but it shows signs…

Other Peterbilt 389 years

Compare all Peterbilt 389 years · All Peterbilt models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2019 Peterbilt 389 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2019 Peterbilt 389: 22V-277 (steering), 21V-906 (electrical system, service brakes, air), 20V-199 (service brakes, air, electronic stability control (esc)), 20V-130 (electrical system), 18V-931 (power train) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2019 Peterbilt 389?

Owners report steering problems most often (3 reports), followed by tires (1). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 160,000 miles.

Are Peterbilt recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Peterbilt dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.