Peterbilt 389 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
48 distinct recall campaigns
60,827 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 to 2025 model years. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 22 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 36.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 9.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 9.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Wheels | 4 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
Electrical System: 4; Wheels: 4; Structure:Body: 3; Tires: 3; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2; Engine: 2; Steering: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 5
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2012: 1; 2014: 6; 2015: 1; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2025: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11353929 · 2020-09-09 (September 9, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PETERBILT 389. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V368000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR) AND 20V199000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND A RECORDING INDICATED THAT THE SOFTWARE WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11353929 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11396742 · 2021-02-18 (February 18, 2021)
MY TRUCK MARKS CHECK ENGINE IN RED AND YELLOW. THE ABS MARKS IN YELLOW IN THE PLANE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11396742 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11181438 · 2019-02-20 (February 20, 2019)
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. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. THE HEAT STAYS UNDER THESE VEHICLES. AND THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. *DT*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11181438 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11645076 · 2025-02-26 (February 26, 2025)
The contact owns a 2024 Peterbilt 389. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced an inaccurate reading of the adaptive cruise control, causing the cruise control to disengage. Additionally, the contact stated after driving for an hour, the ABS, traction control, and electronic stability control warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V915000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical System), which the contact related to the failure. The vehicle was taken to th…
Owner-reported narrative. 180,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11645076 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11455852 · 2022-03-09 (March 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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11455852 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11512083 · 2023-03-15 (March 15, 2023)
Whenever the truck goes over mildly rough road the steering wheel shakes and the tires follow the ruts of the road . When this happens steering wheel jerks out of hand and have to be overcorrected to keep in lane . With the shaking of steering wheel the steering wheel itself came loose one time and was repaired by peterbilt by applying locktite to the bolt.truck have been to peterbilt dealership 4 time and the problem still persists. According to them its normal for a class 8 truck to do this. This is a big safety issue as the truck can loose …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11512083 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11053447 · 2017-12-08 (December 8, 2017)
FUEL PUMP WENT OUT GOING DOWN INTERSTATE AT 70 MILES PER HOUR. NO PREVIOUS SIGNS OF FAULTY PUMP. LOST ALL POWER AND FUNCTIONALITY OF THE TRUCK TO STEER. THIS TRUCK HAS A 12/2012 CUMIN'S MOTOR. IN SHOP NOW FOR REPAIRS.
Owner-reported narrative. 500,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11053447 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11309417 · 2020-02-15 (February 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 BUGL…
Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11309417 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2009: 12; 2010: 7; 2011: 7; 2012: 9; 2013: 8; 2014: 7; 2015: 10; 2016: 8; 2017: 7; 2018: 6; 2019: 6; 2020: 5; 2021: 6; 2022: 7; 2023: 6; 2024: 5; 2025: 2