RoadVitals

2001 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.
6
Latest Mar 18, 2002
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.
4
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.
0
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Peterbilt 379, most frequently naming the suspension, body & structure and heating & air conditioning categories. 4 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

  • Suspension337.5%
  • Body & structure225.0%
  • Heating & air conditioning112.5%
  • Engine112.5%
  • Other / unspecified112.5%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
02V018001

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE

Jan 15, 2002
2,302 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR WABCO PNEUMATIC ANITLOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) VALVE PACKAGES, THE ASSEMBLY BOLTS ON THESE VALVE PACKAGES WERE NOT TIGHTENED CORRECTLY.
The risk: BOLTS TORQUED BELOW SPECIFICATION WILL NOT RELIABLY PREVENT AIR LEAKAGE AT THE AFFECTED ABS VALVE PACKAGE INTERFACE JOINTS ONCE THE COMPONENT BEGINS NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. IF AIR LEAKS DEVELOP AT ANY OF THE ABS VALVE PACKAGE INTERFACE JOINTS, BRAKE SYSTEM PRESSURE REDUCTIONS COULD OCCUR DURING BRAKING OR NORMAL OPERATION WITH UNITS EQUIPPED WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL OPTION, POTENTIALLY EXTENDING STOPPING DISTANCES, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE FASTENERS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 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 KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440 OR PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4201.
PACCAR, INCORPORATEDManufacturer number 102A/02KW1View on NHTSA.gov
01V179000

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

Jun 5, 2001
52,500 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. A CHANGE IN THE INTERNAL LINKAGE OF CERTAIN CAB DOORS HAS CREATED A POSSIBLE BINDING CONDITION.
The risk: IF THE LINKAGE BINDS, FULL ENGAGEMENT OF THE DOOR LATCH MAY NOT OCCUR, ALLOWING THE DOOR TO OPEN INADVERTENTLY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE DOOR LINKAGE TO CORRECT THE POTENTIAL OF BINDING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 22, 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.
PACCAR, INCORPORATEDManufacturer number 601-GView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Suspension
Filed Mar 18, 2002

VEHICLE WOULD WANDER WHEN DRIVING 60-65 MPH, VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND ROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8005818
Incident
Mar 14, 2002
Suspension
Filed Mar 15, 2002

FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE REQUIRED TIGHTENING NUMEROUS TIMES. THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE BEARINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED DUE TO SPINDLES. *JG

NHTSA ID
564714
Heating & air conditioningEngine
Filed Jun 6, 2001
1 injury reported

VEHICLE HAS A TOXIC CHEMICALS COMING OUT OF AIR DUCTS. CONSUMER BELIEVED IT WAS COMING OUT OF AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR. IT BURNED CONSUMER'S EYES. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

NHTSA ID
889927
Incident
May 4, 2001
Body & structure
Filed Apr 4, 2001

THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS STRONG VIBRATION, THE DEALER HAS BALANCED THE DRIVESHAFT, DELAY SPRING, REPLACED THE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS, FRONT BEARINGS, INSTALLED ALUMINUM FRONT HUBS, ALIGNED THE FRONT WHEELS, REPLACED ENGINE INJECTOR COILS, REPLACED ONE DEFECTIVE WHEEL, REPLACED MUFFLER SEAL, MIRROR DOOR MOUNTING AND, WITH ALL THESE REPAIRS THE VIBRATION WAS NOT ELIMINATED. NLM

NHTSA ID
560644
Incident
Jan 26, 2001
Suspension
Filed Feb 27, 2001

VEHICLE VIBRATES EXCESSIVELY AT HIGH SPEEDS OF 55 TO 65MPH. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE 2 TIMES, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
881587
Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Feb 22, 2001

THE DOOR IS OUT OF ALIGNMET ALLOWING COLD AIR TO ENTER THE CAB WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR, THE DEALER HAS HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT WITH NO SUCCESS. NLM

NHTSA ID
559863

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—
2001Viewing640—
2000126047.6
1999560—
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.