2020 Peterbilt 389 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other 389 years
- Not enough data 10th of 22 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 5 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
NHTSA has received no owner complaints about the 2020 Peterbilt 389 so far. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 0owner complaints
- 5safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
2020 Peterbilt 389 recalls (5)
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.
Power train:axle assembly
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.
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.
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.
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:axle assembly:axle shaft; power train:driveline:driveshaft
Problem: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020 Kenworth T800, T880 and W990 and Peterbilt 348, 367, 389, 520, and 567 vehicles. The forward rear axle output shafts may have been improperly heat treated during manufacturing, possibly resulting in the shafts fracturing.
Risk: If the rear axle output shaft fractures, the shaft or interaxle driveline could detach and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the output shafts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2020. 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 19KWE and 19PBG.
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.
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 | 0 | 5 |
| 2019 389 | 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.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Peterbilt 389?
NHTSA has no owner complaints on file yet.
Was there a recall on the 2020 Peterbilt 389?
Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2020 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 2020 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.