NHTSA vehicle safety data
2021 Peterbilt 389 Recalls & Complaints
The 2021 Peterbilt 389 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Peterbilt dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2021 Peterbilt 389. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2021 Peterbilt 389 owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2021 Peterbilt 389, describing incidents dated November 12, 2025.
Most-cited components
- Electrical System 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #11698892 · Filed
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2021 Peterbilt 389. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle after running out of diesel, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The contact stated that while restarting the vehicle, the fuel filters needed to be…
Loss of ABS and Electronic Stability Control
NHTSA #24V915000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Control Unit/Module · NHTSA notice
Reported December 9, 2024 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 220,764 vehicles
Repair completion: 76.11% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 24KWL 24PBL · Owners notified February 3, 2025 · Vehicles built April 7, 2020 – December 19, 2023 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Peterbilt and Kenworth vehicles, equipped with Bendix EC80 Advanced Electronic Control Units (ECU). Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. Electrical noise and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly process commands or stop functioning.
Safety consequence
Safety systems that depend on the ECU (Automatic Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Active Cruise Control, and Collison Mitigation System) may not function properly or at all, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24KWL and 24PBL.
Notes
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 nhtsa.gov.
Improperly Crimped Connectors In Gear Shifter
NHTSA #24V190000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Lever and Linkage — Column Shift · NHTSA notice
Reported March 20, 2024 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 70,509 vehicles
Repair completion: 52.05% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 24PBE/24KWE · Owners notified December 15, 2025 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Peterbilt 365, 367, 389, 535, 536, 537, 548, 567, 579, and 2021-2025 Kenworth T180, T280, T380, T480, T680, T880 and W990 trucks. The right-hand gear shifter stalk connectors may have been improperly crimped, resulting in a loss of communication.
Safety consequence
A loss of communication between the gear shifter and the transmission may result in the vehicle becoming disabled after coming to a stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the gear shifter assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 15, 2025, then phased after that. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 or Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24PBE and 24KWE.
Notes
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.nhtsa.gov.
Work Brake May Unintentionally Disengage
NHTSA #21V906000 · Service Brakes, Air · NHTSA notice
Reported November 19, 2021 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 908 vehicles
Repair completion: 55.73% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 21KWG and 21PBM · Owners notified January 3, 2022
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
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.nhtsa.gov.
Loss of Rear Brake Signal
NHTSA #21V648000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice
Reported August 19, 2021 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 163 vehicles
Repair completion: 86.5% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 21PBJ · Owners notified March 11, 2022
Defect description
PACCAR, Inc. (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Peterbilt 367, 389, 567, and 579 vehicles. The cross member mounted Hill Start Assist valve assembly may have insufficient clearance to the rear axle, causing damage to the rear brake hose and loss of the rear brake signal.
Safety consequence
If loss of the rear brake signal occurs, the vehicle could experience reduced rear braking capability or loss of brakes to the rear axle(s), increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will inspect for clearance and re-work the assembly to conform with an updated design, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 24, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 11, 2022. Owners may contact PACCAR's customer service at 1-940-591-4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's number for this recall is 21PBJ.
Notes
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.nhtsa.gov.
Flywheel Capscrews Not Tightened Properly
NHTSA #21V080000 · Engine · NHTSA notice
Reported February 17, 2021 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 132 vehicles
Repair completion: 100% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 21KWA / 21PBB · Owners notified March 29, 2021
Defect description
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Kenworth T680, T880, W990, T800, W900 and Peterbilt 579, 567, 389, 367 vehicles equipped with a Cummins X15 engine. The capscrews that attach the flywheel to the crankshaft may have been improperly torqued, allowing the flywheel to detach.
Safety consequence
A detached flywheel can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, driveline pieces may be ejected from the engine compartment, increasing the risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will properly torque the capscrews and the engine will also be inspected for damage and, if necessary, repaired, free of charge. The recall began on March 29, 2021. 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 21KWA and 21PBB.
Notes
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.
Lower Rear Pivot Bolts Improperly Sized
NHTSA #20V506000 · Power Train — Axle Assembly · NHTSA notice
Reported August 26, 2020 · PACCAR Incorporated
Potentially affected: 1,097 vehicles
Repair completion: 100% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 20PBE and 20KWC · Owners notified September 29, 2020
Defect description
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Peterbilt 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, 567 and Kenworth T800, T880, W900, W990 vehicles equipped with Watson and Chalin steerable lift axle suspension systems (model SL2065). The axles may have lower rear pivot bolts that are not long enough to sufficiently engage the locking feature of the corresponding nuts.
Safety consequence
The short screws can cause the hardware to separate from the suspension system and become road hazards, increasing the risk of a crash and/or injury.
Manufacturer remedy
PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect suspect chassis and replace the pivot bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2020. 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 is 20PBE and 20KWC.
Notes
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.
Other Peterbilt 389 model years
Check your 2021 Peterbilt 389 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Peterbilt 389 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a Peterbilt VIN