Does the 2020 Peterbilt 389 have any recalls?

Transport Canada lists 4 campaigns and the U.S. NHTSA lists 5 for the 2020 Peterbilt 389. Matched by make, model, and model year. Many recalls affect only specific VIN ranges — confirm with your dealer using your full VIN.

How do I know if a recall applies to my 2020 Peterbilt 389?

Recalls are matched by make, model and model year, but many cover only certain VIN ranges. Confirm with your manufacturer or dealer using your full VIN, or use the official Transport Canada or NHTSA lookup.

Are recall repairs free?

Yes. In both Canada and the United States the manufacturer must fix a recalled defect at no charge, through a franchised dealer.

RECALLS — MAKE · MODEL · YEAR

2020 Peterbilt 389 recalls

9 safety recall campaigns have been filed for the 2020 Peterbilt 389 with Transport Canada and the U.S. NHTSA. Here is what both agencies say.

Canadian recalls: 04
U.S. recalls: 05
Total campaigns: 09

Transport Canada recalls

Steering#2022210April 25, 2022
985 units affected
Issue: On certain trucks, the fasteners that attach the steer arm to the steering knuckle may fail. If this happens, the steer arm could separate from the steering knuckle and cause a loss of steering control. Note: This recall only affects trucks equipped with a Dana D-series steer axle. Safety Risk: A loss of steering control could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: PACCAR will notify owners by mail. The corrective actions for this recall are under development.
Lights And Instruments#2021287May 14, 2021
9,308 units affected
Issue: On certain trucks, the driver may be able to turn off the daytime running lamps (DRLs) while driving. Canadian regulations require that DRLs must stay on while driving, unless the headlamps or fog lamps are switched on. Safety Risk: Driving without daytime running lights could make the vehicle less visible to others and increase the 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 vehicle software.
Suspension#2020399August 27, 2020
502 units affected
Issue: On certain trucks, the lift axle pivot bolts may be too short and may not be properly tightened. As a result, the bolts could come loose or break. If this happens, parts could fall from the truck. Note: This recall only affects trucks built with Watson Chalin SL2065 lift axles. Safety Risk: Large fasteners that fall on the road could create a road hazard for others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: PACCAR will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to a dealer to inspect and replace the lift axle pivot bolts, as necessary.
Electrical#2020090March 5, 2020
2,435 units affected
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.

Canadian data updated August 24, 2026

U.S. NHTSA recalls

STEERING:CRITICAL FASTENERS#22V277000April 25, 2022
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Kenworth T270, T370, T440, T470, T660, T680, T880, T800, W900, W990; and 2018-2020 Peterbilt 330, 337, 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, 567, and 579 vehicles. The Dana D-Series axle steer arm fasteners that attach the steering arm to the steering knuckle may fail.
Risk: Fastener failure can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace and torque the steer arm fasteners, at no charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2022. 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 are 22 PBB and 22 KWB.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR#21V906000November 19, 2021
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.
Risk: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY#20V506000August 26, 2020
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.
Risk: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES#20V130000March 4, 2020
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Peterbilt 365, 389, 567, and 579 vehicles equipped with a left-hand under hood jumper terminal (option code 2539410). The positive battery jumper terminal cable may be too long, allowing it to chafe against the left front suspension spring and result in an electrical short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the battery jumper terminal cables, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 30, 2020. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 20PBA.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT#19V911000December 19, 2019
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020 Kenworth T800, T880 and W990 and Peterbilt 348, 367, 389, 520, and 567 vehicles. The forward rear axle output shafts may have been improperly heat treated during manufacturing, possibly resulting in the shafts fracturing.
Risk: If the rear axle output shaft fractures, the shaft or interaxle driveline could detach and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the output shafts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2020. 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 19KWE and 19PBG.

Does this recall apply to my vehicle?

Matched by make, model, and model year. Many recalls affect only specific VIN ranges — confirm with your dealer using your full VIN.

What to do

Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer in both countries. To confirm a recall applies to your specific vehicle, or to book the work, contact your manufacturer or dealer with your full VIN, or use the official channel:

NHTSA recall lookup (search by VIN) — U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Defects and recalls database — Transport Canada

Check a 2020 Peterbilt 389 VIN

A VIN decode confirms your vehicle's exact model year, trim and assembly plant, then runs this same recall check against it.

Data sources and coverage limits →