FaultScore

Peterbilt 389 problems

Owners have filed 34 complaints about the Peterbilt 389 with NHTSA across model years 2008 to 2024. More of them are about the electrical system than anything else.

Every Peterbilt 389 year, graded

The grade compares each year against the rest of this model's own run — never against another car. Click any bar or row to open that year's report.

08 12 14 15 17 19 21 22 24
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded
Year Grade Complaints Crashes Fires Median miles Most reported
2024 2 0 0 Electrical System
2022 5 0 0 Electrical System
2021 1 0 0 Electrical System
2019 6 0 0 Steering
2017 2 0 0 Transmission & Drivetrain
2015 12 2 0 11,750 Wheels
2014 1 0 0 Fuel & Propulsion
2012 1 0 0 Lights
2008 4 0 0 Engine & Cooling

What breaks on a Peterbilt 389

Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.

Electrical System 5 14.7%

Worst in 2015

Steering 4 11.8%

Worst in 2019

Tires 4 11.8%

Worst in 2015

Wheels 4 11.8%

Worst in 2015

Body & Structure 3 8.8%

Worst in 2015

Engine & Cooling 2 5.9%

Worst in 2008

Brakes 2 5.9%

Worst in 2008

Stability & Traction Control 2 5.9%

Worst in 2008

Other & Unspecified 2 5.9%

Worst in 2015

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 2.9%

Worst in 2017

Suspension 1 2.9%

Worst in 2022

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 2.9%

Worst in 2022

Lights 1 2.9%

Worst in 2012

Fuel & Propulsion 1 2.9%

Worst in 2014

Complaints filed over time

Every complaint about every Peterbilt 389, by the month it reached NHTSA.

Jul 2012 peak 10 Nov 2025

Compare the Peterbilt 389

Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.