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2008 Peterbilt 389Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 3 owner complaints about the 2008 Peterbilt 389, most often about the engine. It is covered by 12 safety recalls, and for recall 13V-593 the manufacturer reports only 18% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls12Lowest repair rate 18%Owner complaints30 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage1kEngine, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 18, 2021. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2008 Peterbilt 389 has problems

3 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine20
Electronic stability control (ESC)10
Service brakes, air10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

12 recalls

2008 Peterbilt 389 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

27%repaired · 2022 Q1

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Recall 20V-199 · Apr 6, 2020 · 460,515 vehicles · 125,765 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

91%repaired · 2016 Q3

Other: labels

Recall 15V-132 · Mar 6, 2015 · 213,230 vehicles · 194,366 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

38%repaired · 2015 Q3

Service brakes

Recall 14V-145 · Mar 25, 2014 · 474 vehicles · 182 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

18%repaired · 2015 Q2

Other: labels

Recall 13V-593 · Nov 25, 2013 · 561 vehicles · 102 repaired

Risk. As a result, the axles may be overloaded or the wrong tires could be installed or the tires could be improperly inflated.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 8 more recalls
–no report yet

Storage: tank assembly

Recall 11V-127 · Feb 23, 2011 · 4,664 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power train: axle assembly

Recall 10V-634 · Dec 13, 2010 · 12,873 vehicles

Risk. DETACHMENT OF THE DRIVELINE FROM THE AXLE MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND BECOME DISABLED IN THE ROADWAY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Steering: column

Recall 10V-308 · Jul 2, 2010 · 9,697 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Trailer hitches

Recall 08V-104 · Mar 10, 2008 · 318 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Doors: latch

Recall 08V-065 · Feb 7, 2008 · 6,169 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 08V-002 · Jan 8, 2008 · 2,794 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Gear box: shaft sector

Recall 07V-591 · Dec 20, 2007 · 559 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Peterbilt.

Best & worst years

2008 vs. every other 389 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 389 median. How we score

'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2008 Peterbilt 389, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Horton Fan Hub FailuresEA09008 · closed Aug 27, 2010
    No recall
  2. Driveshaft separates from tractorPE10029 · closed Dec 23, 2010
    Led to recall 10V-634
In owners' words

What 389 owners report

Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE DPF REGENERATION, TODO EL SISTEMA QUE HAN PUESTO EN ESTE TIPO DE CAMIONES ( C-15 ) CATTERPILLAR, HA SALIDO MUY MALO DE FACTORIA, ESTE TIPO DE CAMIONES CON TANTOS SENSORES, OCASIONAN QUE EL CAMION SE APAGUE, Y SE ESTA VOLVIENDO UN GRAN PROBLEMA PARA LA SEGURIDAD DEL CONDUCTOR, COMO PARA LAS…
Complaint 10465561 · Jul 13, 2012 · 578 miles

Own a 2008 389?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.