🚗 AutoDefect IQ

2014 Peterbilt 389 problems, complaints & recalls

Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (1)

1
Complaints
7
Recalls
31
Service bulletins
0
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Deaths

Safety recalls (7)

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2020-04-06 · campaign 20V199000 · 460,515 vehicles

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 for the ABS may not illuminate to warn the driver of the loss of ABS. As such, these vehicles fail

Risk: If the driver unknowingly operates the vehicle without the ABS functioning, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Electrical System:alternator/Generator/Regulator 2015-07-22 · campaign 15V456000 · 288 vehicles

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.

Risk: If the alternator cable rubs through its insulation, an electrical short may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.

Electrical System:alternator/Generator/Regulator 2015-05-08 · campaign 15V270000 · 1,494 vehicles

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 against a formed metal freon discharge line.

Risk: If the alternator cable rubs through its insulation, an electrical short may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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-F.

Equipment:other:labels 2015-03-06 · campaign 15V132000 · 213,230 vehicles

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 requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 120, "Tire selection and rims and motor home/recrea

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly 2015-02-24 · campaign 15V108000 · 5,141 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Risk: Undertorqued tie rod end clamp bolts are susceptible to corrosion, which may cause loose bolts to separate resulting in a loss of vehicle control and an increased risk of a crash.

Fix: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle tie rod assembly on any vehicle where the factory installed assembly has not been previously replaced, free of charge. Owners were mailed interim notices on May 11, 2015. The recall began on April 4, 2016. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 215-C.

Seat Belts 2014-01-24 · campaign 14V013000 · 10,414 vehicles

Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2014 Kenworth T660, T680, T700,T800, T880, W900, T440, T470, T370, T270, T170, C500, and C550 chassis manufactured between August 7, 2013, and October 31, 2013, and Peterbilt 320, 325, 330, 337, 348, 365, 367, 382, 384, 386, 388, 389, and 587 chassis manufactured between August 7, 2013, and November 3, 2013, and equipped with IMMI-brand L9 seat belt buckles. When the button is pressed to release the seat belt, the latch plate can becom

Risk: If the latch plate remains partially engaged after the button is pressed, egress from the vehicle could be hindered which would increase the risk of injury in the event of an emergency.

Fix: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt buckles, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 31, 2014. Owners may contact PACCAR at 1-425-468-7400. Kenworth's number for this campaign is 14KWC. Peterbilt's number for this campaign is 114-B.

Electrical System:ignition:switch 2013-05-28 · campaign 13V222000 · 1,773 vehicles

Defect: PACCAR is recalling certain model year 2014 Kenworth T170, T270, T370, T470, T660, T680, T800, T880, and W900 trucks manufactured May 6, 2013, through May 17, 2013; and model year 2014 Peterbilt 330, 337, 348, 365, 367, 382, 384, 386, 388, 389, 389K, 567, 579 and 587 trucks manufactured May 1, 2013 through May 17, 2013. An internal defect in the ignition switch causes the starter to engage when a key is partially inserted, before the key is turned.

Risk: Unintended engine startup could cause injury to a person working in the engine compartment. Vehicles with standard transmissions may experience unexpected movement, which may result in personal injury or a crash.

Fix: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will replace affected ignition switches, free of charge. The recall began on June 14, 2013. Owners may contact Kenworth at 1-425-828-5000 or Peterbilt at 1-940-591-4000. Kenworth's recall campaign number is 13KWF. Peterbilt's recall campaign number is 0513-E.

Service bulletins (31)

Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.

Engine 2026-09-11 · P001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

"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."

Engine 2024-11-22 · 32-025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

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

Power Train 2024-11-11 · 02-194 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

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.

Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:condensor/Evaporator 2022-11-18 · 01-082 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

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.

Electrical System 2022-11-10 · 34-093 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

34-093 model 389 78-inch sleeper 12v power port supplier change

Service Brakes 2022-08-03 · 13-060 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

the service information for bendix air dryer maintenance is being updated to include new procedures.

Showing the 6 most recent of 31 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.

What owners report

2017-12-08 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 500,000 mi

“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.…”

Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.

Other Peterbilt 389 years