Total Complaints
1 filings
PETERBILT 389 · model year
2012 PETERBILT 389
1 NHTSA complaints, and 9 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2012PETERBILT389 carries 1 consumer safety complaint in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 389 is exterior lighting with 1 filings. Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 9 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2012 389. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
1
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
Recalls (9)
12V02600030/01/2012
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE
PACCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012-2013 KENWORTH T170, T270, T370, T440, T470, T660, T700, T800, W900, AND PETERBILT 320, 330, 337, 348, 365, 367, 382, 384, 386, 388, 389, AND 587 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 31, 2011, THROUGH JANUARY 19, 2012, AND EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX ATR-6 ANTILOCK
13V59300025/11/2013
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Paccar Incorporated (Paccar) is recalling certain 2004-2013 Peterbilt 379, 357, 378, 367, 388, 365, 389, 385 and 386 trucks manufactured from April 3, 2003, through October 25, 2013 and equipped with tri-drive rear axles and a tag or pusher axle. The affected vehicles may be missing required inform
14V14500025/03/2014
SERVICE BRAKES
PACCAR, Inc. (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Peterbilt 365, 367, 388, 389 trucks manufactured October 6, 2007, through September 23, 2013. The affected vehicles were built with 16.5" x 7" front drum brakes and Bendix ES-420 brake linings installed on front axles rated to carry be
15V10800024/02/2015
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2009-2015 Peterbilt 320, 365, 367, 388, and 389 trucks manufactured July 21, 2008, to February 28, 2014. The front axle tie rod end clamp bolts may be improperly torqued.
11V12700023/02/2011
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
PACCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2012 KENWORTH T2000, T660, T700, T800, AND W900, AS WELL AS MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 PETERBILT 365, 367, 384, 386, 387, 388, 389, AND 587 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH PACCAR MX ENGINES. THE OIL MODULE CENTRIFUGAL SPINNER FILTER CAP IN THE PACCAR MX ENGINE MAY BECOME
15V45600022/07/2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Peterbilt 365, 367, 384, 386, 388, 389, 567, 579, and 587 trucks manufactured January 13, 2011, to April 20, 2015. The affected trucks, equipped with extended-body Leece Neville alternators, have alternator charge cables that ma
15V27000008/05/2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Kenworth T660, T680, T880 trucks manufactured February 18, 2013, to April 10, 2015, and 2011-2016 Peterbilt 386, 389, 567, 579, and 587 trucks manufactured December 13, 2010, to April 20, 2015. The affected trucks, equipped with
20V19900006/04/2020
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2008-2019 Peterbilt 330, 335, 337, 340, 348, 365, 367, 384, 386, 387, 388, 389, 567, 579 and 587 vehicles and 2008-2020 Kenworth T170, T270, T370, T660, T680, T800, T880, and W900 vehicles equipped with NAMUX Software. In the event that the Anti-lo
15V13200006/03/2015
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2006-2016 Peterbilt 587, 579, 567, 389, 388, 387, 385, 382, 379, 378, 367, 365 and 357 trucks manufactured July 25, 2005, to February 26, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with Tire and Rim Certification Labels that list a tire
Recent Complaints
20150222EXTERIOR LIGHTING
AT NIGHT WHEN THE PAVEMENT IS WET FROM RAIN, SNOW OR MIST, YOU LOSE SIGHT OF THE ROAD. THE LIGHT COMING FROM THE HEADLIGHTS FAIL TO SHINE UP THE ROAD. IT IS VERY EASY TO DRIVE BEYOND THE CAPABILITIES OF THE LIGHTS AS IT ABSORBED BY THE MOISTURE. YOU CANT SEE ANYTHING, POT HOLES, THE LINES, DEBRIS , NOTHING. I HAVE TRIED USING THE HIGH BEAMS AND THE IS NOT ANY IMPROVEMENT. I HAVE FOUND THAT THE ONLY WAY A DRIVER IS ABLE TO SEE THE ROAD IS TO KEEP THE HEAD LIGHTS ON DIM AND TO TURN ON THE SPOT BEAMS WITH THEM AIMED DIRECTLY IN FRONT ON THE TRUCK. I HAVE PICTURES TO SHOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT. *TR
Compare 2012PETERBILT389 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2012 PETERBILT 389 have?▼
The 2012 PETERBILT 389 has 1 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 PETERBILT 389?▼
Yes, the 2012 PETERBILT 389 has 9 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 PETERBILT 389?▼
The most-complained component for the 2012 PETERBILT 389 is EXTERIOR LIGHTING with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include various components.
Is the 2012 PETERBILT 389 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.