2017 Peterbilt 389 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other 389 years
- Not enough data 6th of 22 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 7 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2017 Peterbilt 389. That ranks 6th out of 22 389 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (1 complaints, 100%), typically at around 20,000 miles. There are 7 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 1owner complaints
- 7safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2017 Peterbilt 389 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 | 100% | 20,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 100% | 20,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2017 Peterbilt 389 recalls (7)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Service brakes, air:antilock:abs warning light; electronic stability control (esc)
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.
Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables
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.
Engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel
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.
Fuel system, diesel
Problem: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Peterbilt 367, 389, 567, 579 and 587 trucks, and 2018 Kenworth C500, T680, T800, T880 and W900 trucks equipped with Cummins ISX 15L engines. These engines have a fuel pump whose drive gear could possibly slip on its drive shaft, causing a fuel pump function loss, resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Cummins will notify the vehicle purchaser, and Cummins dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. The recall began July 1, 2017. Owners may contact Cummins customer service at 1-800-286-6467 or PACCAR customer service at 1-425-468-7400. PACCAR's number for this recall is C1909.
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Problem: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2017 Peterbilt 325, 330, 337, 348, 365, 367, 386, 389, and 587 vehicles manufactured April 20, 2016, to June 13, 2016. The brake lights may not illuminate when the brakes are applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: If the brake lights do not illuminate when the brakes are applied, other drivers will be unaware the vehicle is stopping, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any brake light switches with date code 08-01760, free of charge. The recall began on January 26, 2017. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. Paccar's number for this recall is 816-F.
Tires
Problem: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2017 Kenworth K370, T270, T370, T440, T660, T800 trucks manufactured February 2, 2016, to October 13, 2016, and Peterbilt 330, 337, 348, 367, 389, 567, and 579 trucks manufactured March 7, 2016, to October 5, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with certain Goodyear LHS Load Range G tires, size 295/75R22.5 G399A, that due to incomplete adhesion, have a tire tread that may partially separate.
Risk: A partial tread separation may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Goodyear will notify the owners of the affected Peterbilt and Kenworth vehicles and Goodyear dealers will replace the affected tires, free of charge. The recall began on December 14, 2016. To find a Goodyear dealer, owners should contact Goodyear Consumer Relations at 1-800-592-3267. Consumers may also contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000 and Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. PACCAR's number for this recall is 1016G (PB) (Peterbilt), and 16KWC (Kenworth).
Electrical system:ignition:module
Problem: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2017 Kenworth C500, T660, T680, T800, T880, and W900 vehicles manufactured March 9, 2016, to April 26, 2016 and 2017 Peterbilt 320, 365, 367, 389, 567, 579, and 587 vehicles manufactured March 10, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with Cummins ISX12 or ISX15 engines and have an engine control module (ECM) that may short circuit, causing the engine to stall without warning without the ability to restart it.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Cummins will notify owners, and Cummins dealers will replace the defective engine control modules, free of charge. The began on July 8, 2016. Owners may contact Cummins customer service at 1-800-343-7357, Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 16KWB (Kenworth) and 616-C (Peterbilt).
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Quarter Fender Failures (PE20015) — opened Sep 21, 2020, closed Oct 14, 2021.
- Intermittent Loss of Power Steering Assist (PE20006) — opened May 1, 2020, closed Mar 27, 2024.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Heat from the new def requirements are causing problems. The heat off of the def system stays trapped under the vehicle. Which is causing early wear on electrical harnesses along with axle seals. I've replaced 3 wheel seals and 2 front differential seals. The def harness has failed twice now…
Other Peterbilt 389 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 389 | 0 | 2 |
| 2024 389 | 2 | 5 |
| 2023 389 | 0 | 6 |
| 2022 389 | 4 | 7 |
| 2021 389 | 1 | 6 |
| 2020 389 | 0 | 5 |
| 2019 389 | 3 | 6 |
| 2018 389 | 0 | 6 |
| 2017 | 1 | 7 |
| 2016 389 | 0 | 8 |
| 2015 389 | 7 | 10 |
| 2014 389 | 1 | 7 |
| 2013 389 | 0 | 8 |
| 2012 389 | 1 | 9 |
| 2011 389 | 0 | 7 |
| 2010 389 | 0 | 7 |
| 2009 389 | 0 | 12 |
| 2008 389 | 3 | 12 |
| 2007 389 | 0 | 5 |
| 2006 389 | 0 | 2 |
| 2005 389 | 0 | 1 |
| 2004 389 | 0 | 1 |
See all Peterbilt 389 problems by year, every Peterbilt model, or the VIN decoder.
Similar Peterbilt models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Peterbilt 389?
Owners most often report electrical system, power train problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 1 complaint.
Was there a recall on the 2017 Peterbilt 389?
Yes, 7 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2017 Peterbilt 389 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 389 model years, the 2017 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.