RoadVitals

1999 Peterbilt 379 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
4
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1999 Peterbilt 379, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • 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.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed May 26, 2004

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 · filed Dec 22, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Sep 2, 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 · filed Apr 22, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Dec 21, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed May 26, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .