No complaints are listed for the 2016 Peterbilt 389. NHTSA's API and bulk file list none in this build.
Data build 2026-10-08.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as PETERBILT 389.
Model-generated complaint tags: No complaints are listed for tagging.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
8 recalls.
Date: 2020-04-06. Systems: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES, AIR.
Defect: 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 (excerpt)
Consequence: If the driver unknowingly operates the vehicle without the ABS functioning, there would be an increased risk of a crash. (excerpt)
Remedy: 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. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2020-03-04. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2017-09-22. Systems: STEERING.
Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2016 Peterbilt 220, 320, 325, 330, 337, 348, 365, 367, 382, 384, 386, 389, 389G, 567, 579 and 587 trucks and Kenworth K170, T170, T270, T370, T440, T470,T660, T680, T800, T880, and W900 trucks equipped with certain Spicer D or E series steer axles. The castellated nut on the steer axles may not be properly torqued, allowing the tie rod to loosen. (excerpt)
Consequence: If the tie rod loosens, it may disconnect from the steering knuckle, causing a complete loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)
Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the torque of the castellated nut and tie rod, tightening it as necessary. If the tie rod stud and knuckle on units cannot be sufficiently torqued, the dealer will replace the knuckle and tie rod end assembly, free of charge. The recall began on November 13, 2017. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000 or Kenworth cust (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2015-11-09. Systems: TIRES.
Defect: 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 (excerpt)
Consequence: Higher vehicle speeds and other factors such as tire load and road temperatures may result in premature tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)
Remedy: Peterbilt will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the engine's vehicle speed parameters to limit the maximum vehicle speed to the tire speed rating, free of charge. The recall began on January 4, 2016. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. PACCAR's number for this recall is 1115P. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2015-09-24. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Defect: Paccar Incorporated (Paccar) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kenworth T370, T660, T680, T800, T880, and W900 vehicles manufactured July 31, 2015, to August 12, 2015, and 2016 Peterbilt 337, 348, 365, 367, 382, 386, 389, 567, 579, and 587 vehicles manufactured August 4, 2015, to August 12, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the Engine Control Module (ECM) may short circuit, causing the engine to (excerpt)
Consequence: An engine that stalls without warning increases the risk of a crash. (excerpt)
Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will replace the defective engine control modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 22, 2015. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. Paccar's numbers for this recall are 15KWM (Kenworth) and 915-L (Peterbilt). (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2015-07-22. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Defect: 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.
Consequence: If the alternator cable rubs through its insulation, an electrical short may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Peterbilt will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the alternator charge cable away from the metal freon line and install a plastic insulator on the cable end, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2015. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. Peterbilt's number for this recall is 715-K.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2015-05-08. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Defect: 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 (excerpt)
Consequence: If the alternator cable rubs through its insulation, an electrical short may occur, increasing the risk of a fire. (excerpt)
Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the alternator charge cable away from the metal freon line, free of charge. PACCAR issued an interim notification to owners on July 10, 2015. The recall began on September 16, 2015. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5000 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 15KWE and 515- (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2015-03-06. Systems: EQUIPMENT, TIRES.
Defect: 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 requireme (excerpt)
Consequence: If the tires are underinflated due to the incorrect inflation pressure listed on the label, the truck may not be able to carry the maximum gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) load listed without experiencing tire failure which would increase the risk of a crash. (excerpt)
Remedy: Peterbilt will notify owners and mail them a corrected Tire and Rim certification label, free of charge. The recall began on June 19, 2015. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. PACCAR's number for this recall is 215-D. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Manufacturer communications
45 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 13 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 12 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 9 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 5 |
|---|
| ENGINE | 3 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 3 |
|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 3 |
|---|
| STRUCTURE | 3 |
|---|
11037541
Date: 2026-09-11. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.
"Kenworth: Dealers should check the chassis list and SIR weekly for VIN changes. 2 chassis added to the chassis list. Peterbilt: Dealers should check the chassis list and SIR weekly for VIN changes. 10 chassis added to the chassis list."
11010926
Date: 2024-11-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.
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 warran
11010896
Date: 2024-11-11. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
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.
10244495
Date: 2023-10-03. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Emissions Recall Certain vehicles with PACCAR MX-11 and MX-13 EMY2016 engines with less than 300,000 miles (482,803 km) have been shown, in testing, to exceed regulatory limits for NOx and N2O emissions. This bulletin now applies to both Canadian and U.S. registered vehicles. Software is n
10227181
Date: 2022-11-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: VISIBILITY.
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
Date: 2022-11-10. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
34-093 Model 389 78-inch Sleeper 12V Power Port Supplier Change
10222269
Date: 2022-09-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SUSPENSION.
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
Date: 2022-08-03. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES.
The service information for Bendix Air Dryer maintenance is being updated to include new procedures.
10201965
Date: 2021-09-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL.
Fix-As-Fail A?A A Due to undersupply issues, only a limited supply of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) sensors are available. As a temporary solution, after PACCAR confirms a DEF sensor is not available, a temporary software update will allow a vehicle to continue operation with a failed DEF sensor by di
10198760
Date: 2021-06-08. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
An engine software update is required to resolve OBD system readiness, DEF doser diagnostics, and otherOBD system software related issues.