2008 Peterbilt 389 recalls and problems

The 2008 Peterbilt 389 has 12 recalls and 3 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is engine.

How the 2008 compares

High

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

High complaint count among 9 389 model years — 3rd most.

12recalls

3complaints

0crashes

0fires

0injuries

578median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

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12 recalls

Electronic Stability Control

Apr 6, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V199000 · 460,515 vehicles

Problem: 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."

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

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Equipment

Mar 6, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V132000 · 213,230 vehicles

Problem: 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)."

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.

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Service Brakes

Mar 25, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V145000 · 474 vehicles

Problem: PACCAR, Inc. (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Peterbilt 365, 367, 388, 389 trucks manufactured October 6, 2007, through September 23, 2013. The affected vehicles were built with 16.5" x 7" front drum brakes and Bendix ES-420 brake linings installed on front axles rated to carry between 20,001 and 22,000 lbs GAWR and larger SLR (20.5" to 21.5") tires, however these brake linings are not rated for this configuration. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Risk: The improper brake configuration could lengthen the braking distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy & notes

PACCAR will notify owners and dealers will install new 16.5" x 7" brake shoes with ES-600 linings, free of charge. The recall began on June 20, 2014. Owners may contact at Peterbilt at 1-800-473-8372. Peterbilt's number for this recall is 314-D.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Equipment

Nov 25, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V593000 · 561 vehicles

Problem: Paccar Incorporated (Paccar) is recalling certain 2004-2013 Peterbilt 379, 357, 378, 367, 388, 365, 389, 385 and 386 trucks manufactured from April 3, 2003, through October 25, 2013 and equipped with tri-drive rear axles and a tag or pusher axle. The affected vehicles may be missing required information from the certification label, specifically the tag or pusher axle the gross axle weight rating, suitable tire and rim information, and recommended tire pressure information. Without this information, the vehicles do not comply with the requirements of 49 C.F.R. Part 567, "Certification."

Risk: As a result, the axles may be overloaded or the wrong tires could be installed or the tires could be improperly inflated. All of these issues increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy & notes

Peterbilt will notify owners and dealers will inspect and replace the certification labels missing the necessary information. The recall is expected to begin in January 2014. Customers can contact Peterbilt at 1-940-591-4000. Peterbilt's number for this campaign is 1113-F.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Fuel System

Feb 23, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V127000 · 4,664 vehicles

Problem: Paccar is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Kenworth T2000, T660, T700, T800, and W900, as well as model year 2009-2012 Peterbilt 365, 367, 384, 386, 387, 388, 389, and 587 trucks equipped with paccar mx engines. The oil module centrifugal spinner filter cap in the paccar mx engine May become loose, possibly allowing the cap to come off and engine oil to partially discharge from the oil module onto exhaust components.

Original NHTSA wording

PACCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2012 KENWORTH T2000, T660, T700, T800, AND W900, AS WELL AS MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 PETERBILT 365, 367, 384, 386, 387, 388, 389, AND 587 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH PACCAR MX ENGINES. THE OIL MODULE CENTRIFUGAL SPINNER FILTER CAP IN THE PACCAR MX ENGINE MAY BECOME LOOSE, POSSIBLY ALLOWING THE CAP TO COME OFF AND ENGINE OIL TO PARTIALLY DISCHARGE FROM THE OIL MODULE ONTO EXHAUST COMPONENTS.

Risk: The discharge of engine oil onto exhaust components which are hot, such as when the engine is under significant load, May cause a fire.

Original NHTSA wording

THE DISCHARGE OF ENGINE OIL ONTO EXHAUST COMPONENTS WHICH ARE HOT, SUCH AS WHEN THE ENGINE IS UNDER SIGNIFICANT LOAD, MAY CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will re-torque the oil module filter cap and install a secondary retention device on the secondary centrifugal spinner filter cap. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during March 2011. Owners May contact Kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 and Peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.

Owners May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .

Power Train

Dec 13, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V634000 · 12,873 vehicles

Problem: Paccar is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Kenworth and Peterbilt vehicles manufactured from February 2, 2006 through April 30, 2007. The bearing surfaces of the extended lube universal joint that attaches the inter-axle driveline to the drive axle May become prematurely worn due to breakdown of lubrication and/or excessive heat. Prematurely worn bearing surfaces May result in the u-joint becoming loose and/or binding. This condition May result in universal joint failure, allowing the inter-axle driveline to detach from the axle.

Original NHTSA wording

PACCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 KENWORTH AND PETERBILT VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 2, 2006 THROUGH APRIL 30, 2007. THE BEARING SURFACES OF THE EXTENDED LUBE UNIVERSAL JOINT THAT ATTACHES THE INTER-AXLE DRIVELINE TO THE DRIVE AXLE MAY BECOME PREMATURELY WORN DUE TO BREAKDOWN OF LUBRICATION AND/OR EXCESSIVE HEAT. PREMATURELY WORN BEARING SURFACES MAY RESULT IN THE U-JOINT BECOMING LOOSE AND/OR BINDING. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN UNIVERSAL JOINT FAILURE, ALLOWING THE INTER-AXLE DRIVELINE TO DETACH FROM THE AXLE.

Risk: Detachment of the driveline from the axle May cause the vehicle to lose power and become disabled in the roadway. Also, the driveline could drop from the vehicle into the roadway increasing the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

DETACHMENT OF THE DRIVELINE FROM THE AXLE MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND BECOME DISABLED IN THE ROADWAY. ALSO, THE DRIVELINE COULD DROP FROM THE VEHICLE INTO THE ROADWAY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Paccar is working with its supplier to remedy the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during February 2011. Owners May contact Kenworth at 425-828-5440 and Peterbilt at 940-591-4196.

Kenworth recall no. 10KWL & Peterbilt recall no. 1201F.owners May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .

Steering

Jul 2, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V308000 · 9,697 vehicles

Problem: Paccar is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 trucks equipped with trw steering shafts. The circumferential weld around the steering shaft tube that welds the splined tube to the non-splined tube May be mislocated. Mislocation of the circumferential weld May allow the splined tube and non-splined tube to rotate relative to one another during a low speed, high torque turn, possibly resulting in a separation of the two tubes.

Original NHTSA wording

PACCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW STEERING SHAFTS. THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL WELD AROUND THE STEERING SHAFT TUBE THAT WELDS THE SPLINED TUBE TO THE NON-SPLINED TUBE MAY BE MISLOCATED. MISLOCATION OF THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL WELD MAY ALLOW THE SPLINED TUBE AND NON-SPLINED TUBE TO ROTATE RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER DURING A LOW SPEED, HIGH TORQUE TURN, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A SEPARATION OF THE TWO TUBES.

Risk: A separation of the splined and non-splined tubes would cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Original NHTSA wording

A SEPARATION OF THE SPLINED AND NON-SPLINED TUBES WOULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will inspect the steering shaft using a weld placement gauge provided by trw. Any steering shaft found to have been welded improperly will be replaced free of charge. The safety recall began on July 30, 2010. Owners May contact Kenworth at 425-828-5440 and Peterbilt at 940-591-4196.

Kenworth's recall campaign number is 10KW-F & Peterbilt recall no. 0610-D. Owners May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .

Engine

Sep 23, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V487000 · 4,883 vehicles

Problem: Paccar is recalling 4,883 my 2006-2009 Kenworth T600, T660, T800, W900, T2000 and my 2008-2009 Peterbilt 365, 367, 379, 384, 386, 387, 388 and 389 trucks. Inadequate stiffness of the diesel particulate filter (DPF) bracket could result in separation of the DPF from the chassis.

Original NHTSA wording

PACCAR IS RECALLING 4,883 MY 2006-2009 KENWORTH T600, T660, T800, W900, T2000 AND MY 2008-2009 PETERBILT 365, 367, 379, 384, 386, 387, 388 AND 389 TRUCKS. INADEQUATE STIFFNESS OF THE DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) BRACKET COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE DPF FROM THE CHASSIS.

Risk: A vehicle crash could occur if another vehicle strikes the DPF on the roadway.

Original NHTSA wording

A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR IF ANOTHER VEHICLE STRIKES THE DPF ON THE ROADWAY.

Remedy & notes

Paccar is working with caterpillar to repair these vehicles (please see 08E041). Owners May contact caterpillar at 1-800-447-4986 or Kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or Peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.

Kenworth recall no. 08KWD and Peterbilt recall no. 908G.customers May contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Trailer Hitches

Mar 10, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V104000 · 318 vehicles

Problem: Paccar is recalling 318 my 2007-2009 Kenworth T800, W900, and Peterbilt 357, 365, 367, 378, 379, 384, 385, 386,388, and 389 trucks equipped with premier trailer hitch assemblies. The pintle hitch assemblies May have been manufactured in a manner resulting in a reduction of fatigue strength of the pivot pins.

Original NHTSA wording

PACCAR IS RECALLING 318 MY 2007-2009 KENWORTH T800, W900, AND PETERBILT 357, 365, 367, 378, 379, 384, 385, 386,388, AND 389 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH PREMIER TRAILER HITCH ASSEMBLIES. THE PINTLE HITCH ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED IN A MANNER RESULTING IN A REDUCTION OF FATIGUE STRENGTH OF THE PIVOT PINS.

Risk: This reduction of fatigue strength could cause the pivot pin to crack and eventually break, causing the trailer to detach from the truck while in motion, which could cause a crash that could result in personal injury or death.

Original NHTSA wording

THIS REDUCTION OF FATIGUE STRENGTH COULD CAUSE THE PIVOT PIN TO CRACK AND EVENTUALLY BREAK, CAUSING THE TRAILER TO DETACH FROM THE TRUCK WHILE IN MOTION, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH THAT COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will replace the potentially defective pivot pin free of charge. The recall began on April 18, 2008. Owners May contact Kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or Peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.

Kenworth recall no. 08KW4 and Peterbilt recall no.208D.customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Latches/locks/linkages

Feb 7, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V065000 · 6,169 vehicles

Problem: Paccar is recalling 6,169 my 2008 Kenworth T300, T660, T800, T2000, W900 and C500 vehicles and my 2008-2009 Peterbilt models 365, 367, 384, 387, 388, 389 and 389 kits. Certain door latch assemblies on these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 206, 'door locks and door retention components." the rotor in some of these door latch assemblies did not receive the proper heat treatment and May be soft.

Original NHTSA wording

PACCAR IS RECALLING 6,169 MY 2008 KENWORTH T300, T660, T800, T2000, W900 AND C500 VEHICLES AND MY 2008-2009 PETERBILT MODELS 365, 367, 384, 387, 388, 389 AND 389 KITS. CERTAIN DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLIES ON THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS." THE ROTOR IN SOME OF THESE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLIES DID NOT RECEIVE THE PROPER HEAT TREATMENT AND MAY BE SOFT.

Risk: In the event of a crash, force could cause the rotor to crack and the door would not have primary or secondary closing security which could possibly lead to injury of the vehicle occupant.

Original NHTSA wording

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, FORCE COULD CAUSE THE ROTOR TO CRACK AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT HAVE PRIMARY OR SECONDARY CLOSING SECURITY WHICH COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO INJURY OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT.

Remedy & notes

Paccar is working with trimark and will inspect and replace the door latch if it is found to be defective. The recall began on March 14, 2008. Owners May contact Kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or Peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.

Kenworth recall no. 08KW1 and Peterbilt recall no. 108A.customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Service Brakes

Jan 8, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V002000 · 2,794 vehicles

Problem: Certain trucks equipped with eaton synflex eclipse brand extruded nylon air brake hose tubing fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 106, "brake hoses." the tubing was manufactured with only four layers of nylon material, instead of the specified five layers.

Original NHTSA wording

CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH EATON SYNFLEX ECLIPSE BRAND EXTRUDED NYLON AIR BRAKE HOSE TUBING FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES." THE TUBING WAS MANUFACTURED WITH ONLY FOUR LAYERS OF NYLON MATERIAL, INSTEAD OF THE SPECIFIED FIVE LAYERS.

Risk: The diameter of the hose affects the fittings which May allow air to leak from the brakes and create the potential for a vehicle crash.

Original NHTSA wording

THE DIAMETER OF THE HOSE AFFECTS THE FITTINGS WHICH MAY ALLOW AIR TO LEAK FROM THE BRAKES AND CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will inspect the air brake hoses and, if necessary, replace the hoses. The recall began on February 22, 2008. Owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners May contact Kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or Peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.

Kenworth recall no. 07KWF and Peterbilt recall no. 1207L.customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Steering

Dec 20, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V591000 · 559 vehicles

Problem: On certain Kenworth and Peterbilt heavy duty trucks equipped with tas-85 trw steering gears, the inner surface of the outer sector shaft teeth of the steering gears May have an incorrect involute profile, which May lead to chipping and damage of the gearing system.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN KENWORTH AND PETERBILT HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TAS-85 TRW STEERING GEARS, THE INNER SURFACE OF THE OUTER SECTOR SHAFT TEETH OF THE STEERING GEARS MAY HAVE AN INCORRECT INVOLUTE PROFILE, WHICH MAY LEAD TO CHIPPING AND DAMAGE OF THE GEARING SYSTEM.

Risk: This type of damage May cause a "bind/stick" condition in the vehicle steering during a turn increasing the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE MAY CAUSE A "BIND/STICK" CONDITION IN THE VEHICLE STEERING DURING A TURN INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will repair and replace any suspect tas-85 steering gear assembly free of charge. The recall began on January 9, 2008. Owners May contact Kenworth at 425-828-5440 and Peterbilt at 940-591-4201.

Kenworth recall no. 07KWE, Peterbilt 1107K.customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Engine2

Electronic Stability Control1

Service Brakes1

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

NHTSA investigations

Driveshaft separates from tractor

PE10029 · opened Aug 2, 2010 · closed Dec 23, 2010 · led to recall 10V634000

Summary

SummaryOn July 13, 2010, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened an investigation on model year (MY) 2007-2009 Peterbilt tractors equipped with the (SPL170XL extended lube inter-axle driveline).ODI opened this investigation based on one Vehicle Owners Questionnaire (VOQ) and certain Peterbilt field reports.During the course of the investigation, ODI reviewed PACCAR's IR (October 22, 2010) response with associated data related to Warranty and complaint information, mined field data, interviewed customers and visited local dealers within the Washington Metropolitan area.PACCARconducted testing regarding torsional loading and identified various causative factors contributed to this safety defect finding.The Defect is a consequence of the bearing surfaces of the SPL170XL extended lube universal joint that attaches the inter-axle driveline to the drive axle becoming prematurely worn due to a breakdown of lubrication and/or excessive heat.Prematurely worn bearing surfaces may result in the u-joint becoming loose and/or binding.This condition may result in universal joint failure, allowing the inter-axle driveline to detach from the axle, which may cause the drive shaft to separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of personal injury or property damage hazard.ODI learned that the affected population of the alleged defect extended to peer models within PACCAR.In summary, the following vehicles are being recalled: MY 2007 and 2008 Kenworth trucks, models T600, T660, T200…

Horton Fan Hub Failures

EA09008 · opened May 29, 2009 · closed Aug 27, 2010

Summary

PACCAR is conducting an Owner Notification Program (ONP) for select vehicles within the subject and peer populations.The ONP are attached to the closing report and can be found in the NHTSA Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) database. (TSB: 10033585, 10033584)See Closing report for investigation details.

2008 vs. other Peterbilt 389 years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2008. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2008 Peterbilt 389 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns covering the 2008 Peterbilt 389, the latest from Apr 6, 2020 (electronic stability control). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Peterbilt 389?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention engine (2), electronic stability control (1), service brakes (1). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.