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MODEL-YEAR RECALL REPORT

2021 Peterbilt 389 recalls

NHTSA's September 21, 2026 snapshot lists 6 safety recall campaigns for the 2021 Peterbilt 389, spanning 5 component groups. A model match does not confirm that a specific VIN is included.

Official source: NHTSA recall campaign file · Snapshot September 21, 2026

Distinct campaigns6not VIN-specific
Component groups5distinct top-level categories
Latest recordDecember 9, 2024report received
VIN resultNot checkeduse official lookup

01 / OFFICIAL CAMPAIGNS

2021 Peterbilt 389 recall campaigns

The 2021 Peterbilt 389 report contains 6 distinct NHTSA campaigns; the most recently received record is campaign 24V915000 dated December 9, 2024.
Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Report received
December 9, 2024
Potential units
220,764campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

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.

Owner notification: February 3, 2025 · Filing manufacturer: PACCAR Incorporated

Component
POWER TRAIN
Report received
March 20, 2024
Potential units
70,509campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

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.

Owner notification: December 15, 2025 · Filing manufacturer: PACCAR Incorporated

Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
Report received
November 19, 2021
Potential units
908campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

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.

Owner notification: January 3, 2022 · Filing manufacturer: PACCAR Incorporated

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 21V648000

Component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Report received
August 19, 2021
Potential units
163campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

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.

Owner notification: March 11, 2022 · Filing manufacturer: PACCAR Incorporated

Component
ENGINE
Report received
February 17, 2021
Potential units
132campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

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.

Owner notification: March 29, 2021 · Filing manufacturer: PACCAR Incorporated

Component
POWER TRAIN
Report received
August 26, 2020
Potential units
1,097campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

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.

Owner notification: September 29, 2020 · Filing manufacturer: PACCAR Incorporated

02 / COMPONENT BREADTH

What defects are listed for the 2021 Peterbilt 389?

The most frequent component groups in 2021 Peterbilt 389 campaign records are Power Train (2), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (2), Electrical System (2), Engine (1), Service Brakes, Air (1); these counts describe filed campaigns rather than observed failure rates.
Power Train2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Electrical System2
Engine1
Service Brakes, Air1