1989 Peterbilt 320: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 100.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 100.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 1 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
2001: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 746615 · 2001-06-09 (June 9, 2001)
THE PETERBILT 320 - WITH AN ALLISON 754 HT TRANSMISSION (AUTOMATIC MECHANICAL) HAS TWO (2) SEPARATE DEADLY DEFECTS: ILLUSORY NEUTRAL DEFECT - SHIFT INDICATOR IN CAB READS NEUTRAL AND VIBRATION OF VEHICLE CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO GO INTO GEAR. THIS VEHICLE IS USUALLY USED AS REFUSE VEHICLES. THIS DEFECTS OCCURS USUALLY WHEN PTO IS ON, WHICH CAUSES HIGH RPMS. THE DRIVER THINKS THE TRANSMISSION IS IN NEUTRAL BECAUSE THE SHIFT INDICATOR IN THE CAB SHOWS NEUTRAL AND THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT ENGAGED (THAT IS, THE VEHICLE WILL REMAIN MOTIONLES…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 746615 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
89V058000 · Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)
Reported: 1989-04-07 (April 7, 1989)
STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE VALUE AND COULD LOOSEN AND INTERFERE WITH THE PITMAN ARM ON STEERING GEAR.
Consequence: THIS INTERFERENCE COULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF STEERINGCONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: RETIGHTEN OR REPLACE MOUNTING BOLTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗89V135000 · Vehicle Speed Control:Springs
Reported: 1989-08-10 (August 10, 1989)
THROTTLE RETURN SPRINGS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY INSTALLED.
Consequence: THIS WOULD CAUSE THROTTLE LEVER TO NOT BE UNDERSUFFICIENT TENSION TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS 124.
Remedy: CORRECTLY LOCATE THROTTLE RETURN SPRINGS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗89V136000 · Vehicle Speed Control:Springs
Reported: 1989-08-10 (August 10, 1989)
THROTTLE RETURN SPRING MAY BE INCORRECTLY LOCATED.
Consequence: THIS WOULD CAUSE THROTTLE LEVER TO NOT BE UNDERSUFFICIENT TENSION TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS 124.
Remedy: CORRECTLY LOCATE THROTTLE RETURN SPRINGS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗