RoadVitals

1999 Peterbilt 379

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
5
Latest May 26, 2004
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
6
Latest Apr 1, 2003
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Peterbilt 379, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and steering categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 10 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine233.3%
  • Fuel system233.3%
  • Steering116.7%
  • Transmission116.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
03V125000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB

Apr 1, 2003
154 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRUCK HUB UNITS MANUFACTURED BY SKF EXCLUSIVELY FOR USE ON ARVINMERITOR'S FF98X SERIES NON-DRIVE STEER AXLES, THE HUB UNIT BEARINGS CAN WEAR PREMATURELY.
The risk: SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FRONT AXLE HUBS. NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 16, 2003. THE MANUFACTURER HAS ADVISED US THAT PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITH A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201 OR KENWORTH 425-828-5440.
PACCAR INCORPORATEDManufacturer number 303-A/03KW2View on NHTSA.gov
02V037003

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Jul 15, 2002
4,513 units potentially affected
The defect: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW TIE ROD ENDS ON CERTAIN ARVINMERITOR AND DANA AXLES. PETERBILT WILL RECALL 1,434 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ARVINMERITOR AXLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 11, 1999, TO MAY 14, 2000, AND FROM JULY 22 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2000. KENWORTH WILL RECALL 859 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ARVINMERITOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 11, 1999, TO MAY 23, 2000, AND FROM JULY 27, 2000, TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND KENNWORTH WILL RECALL AN ADDITIONAL 4,151 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DANA AXLES AND MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 23 TO DECEMBER 6, 1999, AND FROM MAY 23 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2000. THE TIE ROD AND DRAG LINK BALL STUD ENDS CONTAIN BEARINGS THAT ARE BELOW THE SPECIFIED CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS.
The risk: THIS CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR WITH POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL AFFECTED TIE RODS AND DRAG LINKS WITH DIFFERENT DESIGNED ENDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4201 OR KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.
PACCAR, INCORPORATEDManufacturer number 102A/02KW2View on NHTSA.gov
01V140006

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Aug 28, 2001
2,294 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW TIE ROD ENDS ON CERTAIN MERITOR AXLES. THE TIE ROD AND DRAG LINK BALL STUD ENDS CONTAIN BEARINGS THAT ARE BELOW THE SPECIFIED CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS.
The risk: THIS CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR WITH POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL AFFECTED TIE RODS AND DRAG LINKS WITH DIFFERENT DESIGNED ENDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 24, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4000 OR KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5000.
PACCAR, INCORPORATEDView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

EngineTransmission
Filed May 26, 2004

THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE WHEN SLOWING FOR A SCALE HOUSE, LEAVING THE TRUCK DISABLED. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A SHOP. THE CLUCH AND TRANSMISSION INPUT SHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10074269
Incident
Sep 26, 2003
Mileage
688,310 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 22, 2003
Fire reported

VEHICLE FIRE IGNITED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DRIVER PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND DRIFTED ABOUT 1/2 MILE WITH THE ENGINE OFF. THE CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND SAW FLAMES UNDER THE ENGINE AREA. THE DRIVER RETRIEVED A FIRE EXTINGUISHED AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CAB OF THE SEMI SUSTAINED HEAVY FIRE, SMOKE AND WATER DAMAGE. *PH *NM

NHTSA ID
10052201
Incident
Sep 13, 2003
Fuel system
Filed Sep 2, 2003

FAULT IN FUEL LINE EQUALIZING AND IF YOU FILL YOUR FUEL TANKS THE FUEL ENDS UP RETURNING INTO ONE TANK AND THE TANK OVER FLOWS. THIS CAUSES TWO PROBLEMS THE FIRST IS CREATING AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD THE SECOND IS A SAFTY PROBLEM MAKING THE ROADWAY SLIPPERY WORST THAN DRIVING ON ICE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10037070
Incident
Jan 1, 2003
Fuel system
Filed Apr 22, 2003

I OWN A 1999 PETERBILT 379 WITH LESS THAN 700,000 MILES. TODAY I HAD TO REPLACE A FUEL TANK STRAP THAT BROKE. BASED ON THE AGE OF THE TRUCK, IT APPEARS TO ME THAT IT IS A LITTLE PREMATURE TO BE REPLACING A STRAP, ESPECIALLY ON SOMETHING AS CRITICAL AS A FUEL TANK. I HAVE ALSO READ THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING LINKAGE, HOWEVER I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICE FROM PETERBILT OR ANYONE ELSE. WHAT DO I NEED TO LOOK FOR TO SEE IF IT APPLIES TO MY TRUCK? *JB

NHTSA ID
10016372
Incident
Apr 22, 2003
Steering
Filed Dec 21, 1999

THERE IS AN INCH OF DEAD PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER HAS TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AN ICH ONE WAY TO GET IT TO START TURNING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THIS CAUSES NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
854235

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

02-160

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; VISIBILITY; VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

Information Only – Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate. Washer pumps may fail to spray due to a clogged filter.

32-015

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Information Only: This bulletin provides dealers with a battery warranty quick reference guide to ensure the appropriate tests for battery warranty are performed in order to prevent battery warranty claims filed with incorrect or incomplete information.

11-001

POWER TRAIN

Information only: Hendrickson Softek front axle maintenance intervals and requirements.

32-016

EQUIPMENT

Information Only: Proper jump-starting voltage will eliminate high voltage related issues and equipment damage.

01-075

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Information Only: This bulletin provides guidance for repairing an air-conditioning system after internal failure of the A/C compressor.

34-066

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Information Only - Quick Reference Guide for Electric harness damage repairs.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Peterbilt 379 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2021000—
2016010—
2015010—
2014010—
2013020—
2012020—
2011020—
2010020—
2009051—
2008092—
2007694—
2006271—
2005760—
2004140—
2003350—
2002020—
2001640—
2000126047.6
1999Viewing560—
1998620—
1997400—
1996210—
1995300—
1994100—
1992100—
1991100—
1988010—
1987020—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.