Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2015 Peterbilt 389, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Wheels4
- Structure2
- Tires2
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Unknown or other1
- Electrical system1
- Visibility/wiper1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 49 2015 389 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 5 people died inside them, and 5 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2015 Peterbilt 389 failed the safety check 1.10% of the time — 47% less often than the average 2015 passenger car (2.08%). Median odometer at inspection: 363,004 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
11 Transport Canada recalls for the 2015 Peterbilt 389.
| 2020148 7 Apr 2020 | Lights And Instruments Issue: On certain trucks, the warning light for the tractor anti-lock brake system (ABS) may not turn on if the system loses power. If this happens, the drive… |
| 2020090 5 Mar 2020 | Electrical Issue: On certain trucks, the battery cables to the jump-start terminal may be too long. As a result, the cables could contact and chafe against the left-fron… |
| 2018389 24 Jul 2018 | Brakes Certain vehicles may fail to conform to the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 121 - Air Brake Systems and CMVSS 136 - Electronic Stab… |
| 2015531 9 Nov 2015 | Tires On certain vehicles equipped with Michelin MN 295/60R22.5 XZA-2 front tires, the programmed maximum vehicle speed may exceed the speed rating of the tire. This … |
| 2015317 20 Jul 2015 | Electrical On certain vehicles equipped with PACCAR MX-13 engines and Leece Neville alternators, the alternator charge cable may chafe against an air conditioning discharg… |
| 2015189 8 May 2015 | Electrical On certain vehicles equipped with PACCAR MX-13 engines and Delco-Remy 40SI alternators, the alternator charge cable may chafe against an air conditioning discha… |
| 2015095 5 Mar 2015 | Label Certain vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 120 - Tire Selection and Rims. The tire information label may ind… |
| 2015078 20 Feb 2015 | Steering On certain vehicles, the tie rod end clamp bolts may not have been tightened to the correct specification. As a result, the tie rod ends could loosen, corrode, … |
| 2015032 26 Jan 2015 | Steering On certain vehicles equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), the steering wheel assembly contains an incorrect horn contact plate. The contact plate co… |
| 2014590 23 Dec 2014 | Brakes On certain vehicles, brake chamber diaphragm(s) may not be properly seated. This could lead to brake drag, causing brake overheating or unintended spring brake … |
| 2014517 12 Nov 2014 | Steering On certain vehicles equipped with the "Pride & Class" option, the steering wheel fastener nut may have been insufficiently tightened during vehicle assembly, or… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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."
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.
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Peterbilt 340, 2010, 2012, and 2015-2016 Peterbilt 337, 2010 Peterbilt 335, 2011-2016 Peterbilt 348, 2009 and 2011-2016 Peterbilt 365, 2009 and 2012-2013 Peterbilt 386, 2009-2015 Peterbilt 388, 2015-2016 Peterbilt 389, and 2015 Peterbilt 567 auto hauler vehicles. The affected trucks are equipped with Michelin 295/60R22.5 XZA-2 front tires that have a speed rating less than the vehicle is governed to.
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Peterbilt 365, 367, 384, 386, 388, 389, 567, 579, and 587 trucks manufactured January 13, 2011, to April 20, 2015. The affected trucks, equipped with extended-body Leece Neville alternators, have alternator charge cables that may chafe against a formed metal freon discharge line.
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Kenworth T660, T680, T880 trucks manufactured February 18, 2013, to April 10, 2015, and 2011-2016 Peterbilt 386, 389, 567, 579, and 587 trucks manufactured December 13, 2010, to April 20, 2015. The affected trucks, equipped with PACCAR MX-13 engines and Delco-Remy 40SI alternators, have alternator charge cables that may chafe against a formed metal freon discharge line.
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2006-2016 Peterbilt 587, 579, 567, 389, 388, 387, 385, 382, 379, 378, 367, 365 and 357 trucks manufactured July 25, 2005, to February 26, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with Tire and Rim Certification Labels that list a tire pressure below the actual correct amount. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 120, "Tire selection and rims and motor home/recreation vehicle trailer load carrying capacity information for motor vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds)."
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2009-2015 Peterbilt 320, 365, 367, 388, and 389 trucks manufactured July 21, 2008, to February 28, 2014. The front axle tie rod end clamp bolts may be improperly torqued.
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2015 Peterbilt 389 Pride and Class edition vehicles manufactured October 1, 2014, to December 4, 2014, and equipped with electronic stability control (ESC). The affected vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect horn contact plate that may damage the ESC steering angle sensor.
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2015 Peterbilt 367, 389, 567, 579, and 587 trucks manufactured from May 23, 2014, to February 13, 2015, and 2015 Kenworth T270, T370, T440, T470, T660, T680, T800, T880, and W900 trucks manufactured from May 23, 2014, to February 13, 2015, equipped with certain air brake actuators. The affected vehicles may experience brake drag due to an improperly seated diaphragm in the brake chamber.
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2015 Peterbilt 389 "Pride and Class" edition trucks manufactured September 30, 2014, to November 3, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the steering wheel may have been installed with an incorrect attachment nut, or the nut may not be have been properly torqued.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Peterbilt told its dealers about the 2015 Peterbilt 389: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11010926 | Info Only Unnecessary starter replacements can result from customer complaints regarding engine starting issues. A new Starter Troubleshooting Guide has been created to provide a comprehensive list of starting system checks, which should reduce unnecessary starter replacements and associated warranty claims. Engine starting system warranty claims now require a completed Starter Checklist, a Battery Pack Midtronics Report, and a Cable Drop Midtronics Report. Claims filed without these documents may be denied. |
| 11010896 | Fix-As-Fail The window switch fails prematurely due to excessive amperage flowing through the window switch circuit. A new door harness design has been developed to prevent failures. Fix-As-Fail start date is 11/11/2024. |
| 10227181 | Certain model 389 chassis are experiencing freezing of the A/C evaporator or frosting of the compressor and suction line. A field resolution is available to solve this issue. |
| 10227167 | 34-093 Model 389 78-inch Sleeper 12V Power Port Supplier Change |
| 10222269 | Fix-As-Fail On certain chassis with Low Air Leaf Suspension or Low-Low Air Leaf Suspension, the Height Control Valve (HCV) arm may be rubbing on other components when the bend in the arm is facing outboard. Flipping the bend in the HCV arm inboard prevents the rub. |
| 10219235 | The service information for Bendix Air Dryer maintenance is being updated to include new procedures. |
| 10198760 | An engine software update is required to resolve OBD system readiness, DEF doser diagnostics, and otherOBD system software related issues. |
| 10195276 | Instrumentation - SmartNav 2.0 Software Update - Peterbilt vehicles manufactured between July 01, 2015 through November 12, 2015 with the SmartNav 2.0 system have some SmartNav features, including truck navigation and Bluetooth phone service disabled at the time of delivery to ensure proper system functionality. These features are now available for activation. |
| 10195273 | HVAC - Sleeper Heater O-ring Coolant Leak Phase 2 - Peterbilt has determined that vehicles built between 08/01/2013 and 08/01/2014 and were manufactured fwith a sleeper heater may have sleeper heater o-rings that are incompatible with the extended-life coolant (ELC) usedin the PACCAR heating systems and may develop leaks. |
| 10188550 | Information Only Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate. Washer pumps may fail to spray due to a clogged filter. |
| 10186168 | SmartNav 2.0 Hardware retrofit for quality validation and vehicle validation units. |
| 10179370 | Fix as Fail: Peterbilt has determined that certain model 348, 365, 367, 382, 384, 386, 388, 389, 567, 579, and 587 trucks, built between 4/13/2010 and 3/16/2020 and equipped with a flush mounted battery box, utilized rubber washers that could rub through and cause the aluminum box mounting tabs to rub directly on the steel frame brackets. This could result in cracked battery box mounting angles. Resolution is to add the reinforcement bracket(s) to affected vehicles. |
| 10177935 | Fix-As-Fail - Bendix New-Gen Lightweight Steer Axle Drum Brake Spider Cracking |
| 10177021 | Information Only: This bulletin provides dealers with a battery warranty quick reference guide to ensure the appropriate tests for battery warranty are performed in order to prevent battery warranty claims filed with incorrect or incomplete information. |
| 10177019 | Fix as Fail: For all conventional models, except 387/587, equipped with Side-of-Cab (SOC) exhaust and built from 03/6/2006 to 1/20/2020, the clamps that secure the SOC exhaust stacks may not be tightened properly. This may allow the exhaust stack to rotate and contact the cab or sleeper. |
| 10176033 | Information only: Hendrickson Softek front axle maintenance intervals and requirements. |
| 10174764 | Safety Recall Bulletin: Updated with permanent repair path for phase 1 vehicles. The Tractor ABS Lamp May Not Illuminate When ABS Controller Loses Battery and/or Ignition Power. NHTSA recall number is 18V368. Non compliance to FMVSS and CMVSS 121 and 136. Resolution is to Reflash software. |
| 10174763 | "Safety Recall: NHTSA recall number is 20V130. A defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, may exist in certain Model 365, 389, 567, and 579 vehicles manufactured between April 18, 2014 and March 09, 2020 with a left-hand under hood jumper start terminal. Jumper terminal battery cables may be too long, or eligible for improved routing. Battery cables that are too long may chafe against the left front suspension leaf spring, which could cause a short circuit, fire under the hood, or increased risk of crash. " |
| 10174762 | Safety Recall Interim Bulletin: The Tractor ABS Lamp May Not Illuminate When ABS Controller Loses Battery and/or Ignition Power. NHTSA recall number is 20V199 Non compliance to FMVSS and CMVSS 121 and 136. Resolution is to Reflash software. |
| 10173583 | DEF tank covers may become loose and potentially crack on vehicles built before October 2019 with DEF tank part number M86-6221-003**(TANK-DEF MEDIUM ASSY) and M86-6222-003**(TANK-DEF LARGE, ASSY). Resolution is to resolve the vibration on the tank cover by adding bottom tank washers. |
| 10173212 | Information Only Vehicles may have the connector seals on the wheel speed sensor incorrectly installed, which may lead to water intrusion and corrosion in some vehicles. |
| 10173211 | Safety Recall Interim Bulletin: Peterbilt has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, may exist in certain Model 365, 389, 567, and 579 vehicles manufactured between April 18, 2014 and September 30, 2019 with a left-hand under hood jumper start terminal. Your vehicle may have jumper terminal battery cables that are too long, or are eligible for improved routing. Battery cables that are too long may chafe against the left front suspension leaf spring, which could cause a short circuit, fire under the hood, or increased risk of crash. |
| 10173205 | Information Only: Proper jump-starting voltage will eliminate high voltage related issues and equipment damage. |
| 10172036 | Information Only: Vehicles may have the connector seal on the wheel speed sensor incorrectly installed, which may lead to sensor corrosion. |
| 10169787 | Information Only - Vehicles built with NAMUX software from 2013 to present may experience accuracy issues with the tachometer. The issue can be temporarily resolved using any one of the included procedures. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Intermittent Loss of Power Steering Assist
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation