Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2015 Peterbilt 389
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Wheels
433.3%
Median failure at 3,500 miles
Tires
216.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 35,250 mi
Body & Structure
216.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 43,500 mi
Other & Unspecified
18.3%
Stability & Traction Control
18.3%
Median failure at 3,500 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
18.3%
Median failure at 20,000 miles
Electrical System
18.3%
Median failure at 392 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
112.5%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
337.5%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
225.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
225.0%
NHTSA investigations into the 2015 Peterbilt 389
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE20006Opened 1 May 2020Closed 27 Mar 2024STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
Intermittent Loss of Power Steering Assist
On May 1, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE20006 to investigate complaints of intermittent loss of power steering assist in Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), Volvo Trucks of North America (Volvo) and PACCAR vehicles equipped with a ZF/TRW (TRW) THP60 steering gear. The investigation focused on 2010-2020 DTNA Freightliner Cascadia, M2 and WST; Volvo VN, VAH and VHD and PACCAR 337, 365, 389, 567, 579 model vehicles.Field reports and interviews with fleet drivers allege that high power steering fluid temperatures could result in internal seal and bearing failures causin...
Recalls on the 2015 Peterbilt 389
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202014865,284 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
Issue: On certain trucks, the warning light for the tractor anti-lock brake system (ABS) may not turn on if the system loses power. If this happens, the driver will not get warning that the ABS is not working properly. Note: This problem would also cause the traction control (TC) and electronic stability control (ESC) lights not to turn on. Safety Risk: If a driver is not warned that the ABS is not working properly, there could be an increased risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: PACCAR will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to a dealer to update the software for the cab control module (CECU).
Recall 20200902,435 units in Canada
Electrical
Issue: On certain trucks, the battery cables to the jump-start terminal may be too long. As a result, the cables could contact and chafe against the left-front suspension leaf spring. If this happens, a short circuit could occur and cause the positive cable to overheat or melt. Note: This recall only affects trucks with a left-hand under-hood battery jumper terminal. Safety Risk: An overheated or melted battery cable could create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to a dealer for an inspection of the jump-start terminal cables. If the cables are too long, they will be replaced.
Recall 2018389214 units in Canada
Brakes
Certain vehicles may fail to conform to the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 121 - Air Brake Systems and CMVSS 136 - Electronic Stability Control Systems for Heavy Vehicles. In the event that the anti-lock brake system (ABS) loses battery and/or ignition power to the controller, the ABS indicator lamp may not illuminate to warn the driver of the loss of ABS, which is contrary to the requirements of the standards. This could result in the loss of ABS function with no warning to the driver, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the cab control module.
Recall 2015531520 units in Canada
Tires
On certain vehicles equipped with Michelin MN 295/60R22.5 XZA-2 front tires, the programmed maximum vehicle speed may exceed the speed rating of the tire. This could result in premature tire failure to occur under certain operating conditions (higher speeds, load and road temperature). A tire failure could cause the driver to lose vehicle control, which may result in a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the engine’s vehicle speed parameters to limit the maximum vehicle speed to the tire speed rating.
Recall 201531786 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain vehicles equipped with PACCAR MX-13 engines and Leece Neville alternators, the alternator charge cable may chafe against an air conditioning discharge line. This chafing could lead to damage of the alternator cable's insulation and could lead to an electrical short, increasing the risk of fire, which could result in injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will rotate the alternator cable end 180 degrees to provide necessary clearance and reattach the cable to the alternator.
Recall 2015189140 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain vehicles equipped with PACCAR MX-13 engines and Delco-Remy 40SI alternators, the alternator charge cable may chafe against an air conditioning discharge line. This chafing could lead to damage of the alternator cable's insulation and could lead to an electrical short, increasing the risk of fire, which could result in injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will rotate the alternator cable end 180 degrees to provide necessary clearance and reattach the cable to the alternator.
Recall 201509530,064 units in Canada
Label
Certain vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 120 - Tire Selection and Rims. The tire information label may indicate incorrect tire pressure, understated by 5 PSI, or a tire/rim/inflation pressure combination for which the maximum GAWR is slightly below the GAWR of the vehicle. Underinflated tires may not be capable of supporting the maximum load as reflected by the GAWR and GVWR specified on the certification label, which could cause tire failure resulting in injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Manufacturer will mail new tire and rims certification label.
Recall 2015078574 units in Canada
Steering
On certain vehicles, the tie rod end clamp bolts may not have been tightened to the correct specification. As a result, the tie rod ends could loosen, corrode, and eventually separate from the tie rod, resulting in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace tie rod assembly where the factory installed assembly has not been replaced.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 20,000 milesIndianapolis, IN1 killed
STRUCTURE:BODY
PETERBILT 389 SLEEPER CAB HAS NO REAR WINDOW, BACKUP ALARM OR BACKUP CAMERA. LED TO FATALITY IN MARCH 2016.
NHTSA complaint #11014144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesIndianapolis, IN1 killed
VISIBILITY/WIPER
PETERBILT 389 SLEEPER CAB HAS NO REAR WINDOW, BACKUP ALARM OR BACKUP CAMERA. LED TO FATALITY IN MARCH 2016.
NHTSA complaint #11014144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,000 milesTrevose, PACrash
TIRES
4 BRAND NEW TRUCKS PETERBILT AND WESTERN STAR WITH MICHELIN TIRES 295/60/R22.5 AND 275/70/22.5. FRONT TIRES BLEW UP WITH SEVERE DAMAGE TO FRONT END.
NHTSA complaint #10658758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,000 milesTrevose, PACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
4 BRAND NEW TRUCKS PETERBILT AND WESTERN STAR WITH MICHELIN TIRES 295/60/R22.5 AND 275/70/22.5. FRONT TIRES BLEW UP WITH SEVERE DAMAGE TO FRONT END.
NHTSA complaint #10658758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 20,000 milesIndianapolis, IN1 killed
STRUCTURE:BODY
PETERBILT 389 SLEEPER CAB HAS NO REAR WINDOW, BACKUP ALARM OR BACKUP CAMERA. LED TO FATALITY IN MARCH 2016.
NHTSA complaint #11014144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesIndianapolis, IN1 killed
VISIBILITY/WIPER
PETERBILT 389 SLEEPER CAB HAS NO REAR WINDOW, BACKUP ALARM OR BACKUP CAMERA. LED TO FATALITY IN MARCH 2016.
NHTSA complaint #11014144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Trevose, PA
WHEELS
WE OPERATE 6 BRAND NEW PETERBILT 388 CAR HAULERS. EVERY TRUCK RANDOMLY BLOWS DRIVE INSIDE TIRE. ONCE TIRE BLOWS IT CAN BLOW ADJACENT TIRE. SO FAR WE HAD ABOUT 20 BLOW OUT IN 2 MONTH TIME. ONLY SOLUTION SO FAR WE FOUND WAS TO REROUTE EXHAUST PIPE TO THE SIDE AND REPLACE TIRES TO ALL POSITION TIRES. NO REIMBURSEMENT FROM PETERBILT. CALLED EVERY POSSIBLE NUMBER, BUT NO RESPONSE. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND EXHAUST CAUSES INSIDE TIRE TO OVERHEAT AND CAUSE BLOW OUT. TIRES BLOW EVERY 1000-3000 MILES. WE HAVE SPEND OVER 30,000$ ON ROAD CALLS AND TIRE REPLACEMENT SO FAR.
NHTSA complaint #10658765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,500 milesTrevose, PA
WHEELS
WE OPERATE 6 BRAND NEW PETERBILT 388 CAR HAULERS. EVERY TRUCK RANDOMLY BLOWS DRIVE INSIDE TIRE. ONCE TIRE BLOWS IT CAN BLOW ADJACENT TIRE. SO FAR WE HAD ABOUT 20 BLOW OUT IN 2 MONTH TIME. ONLY SOLUTION SO FAR WE FOUND WAS TO REROUTE EXHAUST PIPE TO THE SIDE AND REPLACE TIRES TO ALL POSITION TIRES. NO REIMBURSEMENT FROM PETERBILT. CALLED EVERY POSSIBLE NUMBER, BUT NO RESPONSE. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND EXHAUST CAUSES INSIDE TIRE TO OVERHEAT AND CAUSE BLOW OUT. TIRES BLOW EVERY 1000-3000 MILES. WE HAVE SPEND OVER 30,000$ ON ROAD CALLS AND TIRE REPLACEMENT SO FAR.
NHTSA complaint #10658764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Trevose, PA
WHEELS
6 PETERBILT MY COMPANY OPERATES ARE 2014 AND 2015 CAR HAULERS. ALL ARE CONSISTENTLY DESTROYING REAR AXEL TIRES BOTH SIDES DRIVER AND PASSENGER (THREAD IS COMING OUT). DAMAGED SEEMS TO HAPPEN DUE TO OVERHEAT OF TIRES. WE TRIED USING DIFFERENT BRAND OF TIRES, BUT BLOW OUT DID NOT STOP. WE TOOK TRUCKS TO [XXX] AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND ANY ISSUES. WITH EACH OCCURRENCE THREAD FROM DRIVE TIRE IS COMING OFF AND TIRE STILL HOLDS AIR. IT DAMAGES ALL LIGHTS ON TRUCK THEN IT DAMAGES MUD GUARDS AND BREAKS SAFETY WINGS ON THE TRAILER. EACH TIME COSTS ABOUT 2000$ PLUS ROAD SERVICE. ONLY SOLUTION WE FOUND AT THIS TIME TO RUN ALL POSITION TIRES ON DRIVE TIRES. SO FAR WE DID NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES FOR PAST 30 DAYS. LAST TRUCK WE PURCHASED FROM [XXX], THEY AGREED TO SWAP TIRES AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE TO ALL POSITION... NO SOLUTION IS OFFERED TO US. WE HAVE LOST OVER $40,000 SO FAR ON BRAND NEW TRUCKS... INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10658770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Feasterville Trevose, PA
WHEELS
6 PETERBILT MY COMPANY OPERATES ARE 2014 AND 2015 CAR HAULERS. ALL ARE CONSISTENTLY DESTROYING REAR AXEL TIRES BOTH SIDES DRIVER AND PASSENGER (THREAD IS COMING OUT). DAMAGED SEEMS TO HAPPEN DUE TO OVERHEAT OF TIRES. WE TRIED USING DIFFERENT BRAND OF TIRES, BUT BLOW OUT DID NOT STOP. WE TOOK TRUCKS TO [XXX] AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND ANY ISSUES. WITH EACH OCCURRENCE THREAD FROM DRIVE TIRE IS COMING OFF AND TIRE STILL HOLDS AIR. IT DAMAGES ALL LIGHTS ON TRUCK THEN IT DAMAGES MUD GUARDS AND BREAKS SAFETY WINGS ON THE TRAILER. EACH TIME COSTS ABOUT 2000$ PLUS ROAD SERVICE. ONLY SOLUTION WE FOUND AT THIS TIME TO RUN ALL POSITION TIRES ON DRIVE TIRES. SO FAR WE DID NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES FOR PAST 30 DAYS. LAST TRUCK WE PURCHASED FROM [XXX], THEY AGREED TO SWAP TIRES AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE TO ALL POSITION... NO SOLUTION IS OFFERED TO US. WE HAVE LOST OVER $40,000 SO FAR ON BRAND NEW TRUCKS... INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10658771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Feasterville Trevose, PA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
6 PETERBILT MY COMPANY OPERATES ARE 2014 AND 2015 CAR HAULERS. ALL ARE CONSISTENTLY DESTROYING REAR AXEL TIRES BOTH SIDES DRIVER AND PASSENGER (THREAD IS COMING OUT). DAMAGED SEEMS TO HAPPEN DUE TO OVERHEAT OF TIRES. WE TRIED USING DIFFERENT BRAND OF TIRES, BUT BLOW OUT DID NOT STOP. WE TOOK TRUCKS TO [XXX] AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND ANY ISSUES. WITH EACH OCCURRENCE THREAD FROM DRIVE TIRE IS COMING OFF AND TIRE STILL HOLDS AIR. IT DAMAGES ALL LIGHTS ON TRUCK THEN IT DAMAGES MUD GUARDS AND BREAKS SAFETY WINGS ON THE TRAILER. EACH TIME COSTS ABOUT 2000$ PLUS ROAD SERVICE. ONLY SOLUTION WE FOUND AT THIS TIME TO RUN ALL POSITION TIRES ON DRIVE TIRES. SO FAR WE DID NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES FOR PAST 30 DAYS. LAST TRUCK WE PURCHASED FROM [XXX], THEY AGREED TO SWAP TIRES AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE TO ALL POSITION... NO SOLUTION IS OFFERED TO US. WE HAVE LOST OVER $40,000 SO FAR ON BRAND NEW TRUCKS... INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10658771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,500 milesTrevose, PA
TIRES
WE OPERATE 6 BRAND NEW PETERBILT 388 CAR HAULERS. EVERY TRUCK RANDOMLY BLOWS DRIVE INSIDE TIRE. ONCE TIRE BLOWS IT CAN BLOW ADJACENT TIRE. SO FAR WE HAD ABOUT 20 BLOW OUT IN 2 MONTH TIME. ONLY SOLUTION SO FAR WE FOUND WAS TO REROUTE EXHAUST PIPE TO THE SIDE AND REPLACE TIRES TO ALL POSITION TIRES. NO REIMBURSEMENT FROM PETERBILT. CALLED EVERY POSSIBLE NUMBER, BUT NO RESPONSE. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND EXHAUST CAUSES INSIDE TIRE TO OVERHEAT AND CAUSE BLOW OUT. TIRES BLOW EVERY 1000-3000 MILES. WE HAVE SPEND OVER 30,000$ ON ROAD CALLS AND TIRE REPLACEMENT SO FAR.
NHTSA complaint #10658764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,500 milesTrevose, PA
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
WE OPERATE 6 BRAND NEW PETERBILT 388 CAR HAULERS. EVERY TRUCK RANDOMLY BLOWS DRIVE INSIDE TIRE. ONCE TIRE BLOWS IT CAN BLOW ADJACENT TIRE. SO FAR WE HAD ABOUT 20 BLOW OUT IN 2 MONTH TIME. ONLY SOLUTION SO FAR WE FOUND WAS TO REROUTE EXHAUST PIPE TO THE SIDE AND REPLACE TIRES TO ALL POSITION TIRES. NO REIMBURSEMENT FROM PETERBILT. CALLED EVERY POSSIBLE NUMBER, BUT NO RESPONSE. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND EXHAUST CAUSES INSIDE TIRE TO OVERHEAT AND CAUSE BLOW OUT. TIRES BLOW EVERY 1000-3000 MILES. WE HAVE SPEND OVER 30,000$ ON ROAD CALLS AND TIRE REPLACEMENT SO FAR.
NHTSA complaint #10658764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,000 milesTrevose, PACrash
TIRES
4 BRAND NEW TRUCKS PETERBILT AND WESTERN STAR WITH MICHELIN TIRES 295/60/R22.5 AND 275/70/22.5. FRONT TIRES BLEW UP WITH SEVERE DAMAGE TO FRONT END.
NHTSA complaint #10658758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,000 milesTrevose, PACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
4 BRAND NEW TRUCKS PETERBILT AND WESTERN STAR WITH MICHELIN TIRES 295/60/R22.5 AND 275/70/22.5. FRONT TIRES BLEW UP WITH SEVERE DAMAGE TO FRONT END.
NHTSA complaint #10658758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 392 milesBertram, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PURCHASED NEW 2015 PETE ON 7/29/2014 FROM RUSH PETERBILT SEALY TEXAS WITH @ 3 MILES SHOWING ON ODOMETER. ON @ 7/31/2014 STOPPED IN WACO TEXAS WITH VEHICLE TO CHECK SECUREMENT OF LOAD AND WHEN RELEASED PARKING BRAKE THE PARKING BRAKE INDICATOR REMAINED ON, ENGINE DERATED, SPEEDO FAILED TO WORK AND VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN CURRENT CONDITION. I DROVE @ 2 MILES TO RUSH PETERBILT WACO AND WAITED FOR SERVICE TO OPEN. RESTARTED VEHICLE AFTER @ 1 HOUR AND ISSUE WASN'T OCCURRING. DEALER SAID NOTHING THEY COULD DO. DELIVERED IN IRVING TX AND WENT TO RUSH IRVING AND ADVISED THEY WERE TO BUSY TO LOOK AT IT FOR AT LEAST 4-5 DAYS. RETURNED TO BERTRAM TX. VEHICLE WAS SENT TO RUSH PETERBILT SEALY UNTIL 8/7/2014 AND FAILED TO REPAIR ISSUE. VEHICLE ANS SINCE BEEN IN PETERBILT SEALY AND PETERBILT BUDA TEXAS FOR 26 DAYS WITHOUT BEING REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10652027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.