2019 Peterbilt 389 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Tires (1) · Steering:linkages:knuckle:spindle:arm (1)
Safety recalls (6)
Steering:critical Fasteners 2022-04-25 · campaign 22V277000 · 17,641 vehicles
Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Kenworth T270, T370, T440, T470, T660, T680, T880, T800, W900, W990; and 2018-2020 Peterbilt 330, 337, 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, 567, and 579 vehicles. The Dana D-Series axle steer arm fasteners that attach the steering arm to the steering knuckle may fail.
Risk: Fastener failure can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace and torque the steer arm fasteners, at no charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2022. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 22 PBB and 22 KWB.
Electrical System:software 2021-11-19 · campaign 21V906000 · 908 vehicles
Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Kenworth T880, W990, Peterbilt 567, 579, 389, and 2022 Peterbilt 536, 537 wrecker and auto hauler vehicles. The work brake (winch brake) may unintentionally disengage the service brakes during winching operations, causing the vehicle to roll.
Risk: Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 2022. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-425-828-5888 (Kenworth); or 1-940-591-4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 21KWG and 21PBM.
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:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables 2020-03-04 · campaign 20V130000 · 35,671 vehicles
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.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Power Train:clutch Assembly 2018-12-21 · campaign 18V931000 · 25,556 vehicles
Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Peterbilt 337, 348, 365, 367, 389, 567, 579 and 587 trucks and 2018-2019 Kenworth C500, T270, T370, T440, T660, T680, T800, T880 and W900 trucks equipped with automated manual transmissions. An internal component in the clutch assembly may fail, possibly resulting in unintended vehicle movement.
Risk: Unintended movement of a vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will update the transmission control module, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2019. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 18PBE and 18KWH.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel 2018-09-21 · campaign 18V657000 · 48,896 vehicles
Defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Kenworth C500, T600, T660, T680, T800, T880 and W900 trucks, as well as Peterbilt 367, 386, 389, 567, 579 and 587 trucks, equipped with Cummins ISX15 or X15 diesel engines. In certain driving conditions, such as on a long down-hill grade, the fuel line may burst if the fuel pump cooling circuit screen becomes restricted.
Risk: If the fuel line bursts, fuel may leak onto the road resulting in a roadway hazard for other motorists. The engine may also stall without warning, resulting in the vehicle's inability to restart, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Cummins will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect fuel pump cooling circuit screen, free of charge. The recall began November 21, 2018. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 18E081.
Service bulletins (54)
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 2026-09-05 · E343 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
an exhaust manifold slip joint seal kit is now available for epa 2017-2024 paccar mx-13 engines.
Engine 2026-07-25 · E311 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
105 chassis have been removed from the chassis list and unflagged in prws due to expiration of applicable warranty coverage. total chassis population is 732.
Engine 2026-07-10 · E311 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition, chassis affected, service action, warranty, and procedure sections have been updated to include the latest prognostics bulletin verbiage.
Engine 2026-04-17 · 45-070 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the attached procedures document has been updated with more detail and explanations. this is not a stand-alone procedure. cummins quickserve troubleshooting will specify the use of these procedures while troubleshooting specific fault codes.
Fuel/Propulsion System 2026-04-17 · CE036 · Warranty Program/Extension
kw & pb def quality sensor part number q21-6127-001 for paccar px-7 and cummins x15 engines has been added to this warranty policy.
Showing the 6 most recent of 54 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-03-09 · Steering:linkages:knuckle:spindle:arm“- 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 familie…”
2020-02-15 · Unknown Or Other · 160,000 mi“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 sev…”
2018-10-11 · Tires · 54,653 mi“i purchased a 2019 peterbilt truck in may of 2018. the front left steer tire failed on june 18,2018 at highway speeds. rapid air pressure loss, and having to take emergency evasive action. the tire had only 10,580 miles. i chocked it up to the possibility of a road hazard, and left it at that. fast forward to today october 11,2018. right side steer…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.