2019 Peterbilt 389 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other 389 years
- Not enough data 3rd of 22 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 6 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Peterbilt 389. That ranks 3rd out of 22 389 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is steering (1 complaints, 33%). There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 3owner complaints
- 6safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2019 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 1 | 33% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 33% | 160,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 33% | 54,653 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 33% | 160,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2019 Peterbilt 389 recalls (6)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Steering:critical fasteners
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.
Electrical system:software; service brakes, air
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.
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.
Power train:clutch assembly
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.
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.
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.
- 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…
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…
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…
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 | 3 | 6 |
| 2018 389 | 0 | 6 |
| 2017 389 | 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 2019 Peterbilt 389?
Owners most often report steering, structure, tires problems. The top one, steering, accounts for 1 complaint.
Was there a recall on the 2019 Peterbilt 389?
Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2019 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 2019 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.