2007 Peterbilt 379

SummaryOn July 13, 2010, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened an investigation on model year (MY) 2007-2009 Peterbilt tractors equipped with the (SPL170XL extended lube inter-axle driveline).ODI opened this investigation based on one Vehicle Owners Questionnaire (VOQ) and certain Peterbilt field reports.During the course of the investigation, ODI reviewed PACCAR's IR (October 22, 2010) response with associated data related to Warranty and complaint information, mined field data, interviewed customers and visited local dealers within the Washington Metropolitan area.PACCARconducted testing regarding torsional loading and identified various causative factors contributed to this safety defect finding.The Defect is a consequence of the bearing surfaces of the SPL170XL extended lube universal joint that attaches the inter-axle driveline to the drive axle becoming prematurely worn due to a breakdown of lubrication and/or excessive heat.Prematurely worn bearing surfaces may result in the u-joint becoming loose and/or binding.This condition may result in universal joint failure, allowing the inter-axle driveline to detach from the axle, which may cause the drive shaft to separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of personal injury or property damage hazard.ODI learned that the affected population of the alleged defect extended to peer models within PACCAR.In summary, the following vehicles are being recalled: MY 2007 and 2008 Kenworth trucks, models T600, T660, T2000, T800 and W900 and MY 2007/2008 Peterbilt trucks, models357, 378, 379, 385, 386, 387, 388, and 389 allequipped with extended lube inter-axle drivelines manufactured by Dana Corporation.The recall affects vehicles manufactured between February 2, 2006 and April 30, 2007.At this time PACCAR has not yet identified a fix for the inner-axle safety defect and is currently conducting testing with the intent to provide a solution to the failure.ODI will monitor the development of PACCARS testing and ensure a timely repair for the consumer.This investigation is closed.

PACCAR is conducting an Owner Notification Program (ONP) for select vehicles within the subject and peer populations.The ONP are attached to the closing report and can be found in the NHTSA Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) database. (TSB: 10033585, 10033584)See Closing report for investigation details.

ON JUNE 23, 2009 PACCAR NOTIFIED ODI THAT 3,423 KENWORTH T2000, T800, T600, W900, AND T660 TRUCKS, MODEL YEARS 2004 - 2009, EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX BRAKES, WIDE BASE LOW PROFILE TIRES AND AIRGLIDE (AG) 400/460 REAR SUSPENSIONS ARE BEING RECALLED.CERTAIN OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED FATIGUE CRACKS IN THE BRAKE CAM TUBE MOUNTING OR AIR CHAMBER MOUNTING FLANGES BRACKET ADJACENT TO THE ATTACHMENT WELDS. IF LEFT UNREPAIRED, THE CRACKS CAN CAUSE A COMPLETE FRACTURE OF THE CAM TUBE, WHICH COULD DISABLE THE AFFECTED BRAKE AND RISK INCREASING VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCES UNDER HIGH PRESSURE BRAKE APPLICATIONS AND DECREASE PARKING BRAKE CAPABILITY.THIS CONFIGURATION HAS EXPERIENCED FAILURES AT A HIGHER RATE THAN SIMILAR VEHICLES WITH OTHER TYPES OF SUSPENSIONS AND BRAKE INSTALLATION CLOCKING. PACCAR WILL ALSO SEND AN OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SUSPENSIONS OTHER THAN THE AG 400/460, WHICH WILL PRESCRIBE A PERIODIC INSPECTION OF THE COMPONENTS AND IF A CRACK IS DISCOVERED, OFFER THE OWNERS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A FREE REPAIR.THIS POLICY WILL BE IN EFFECT UNTIL JULY 15, 2014. COPIES OF THE RECALL AND THE OWNER NOTIFICATION ARE ATTACHED.

THERE ARE 84,573 SUBJECT AND PEER (KENWORTH) VEHICLES.SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2008 PACCAR TRUCKS BUILT WITH A HORTON FAN HUB ASSEMBLY.THE EA WILL INCLUDE PEER VEHICLES (KENWORTH'S WITH HORTON FAN HUBS) IN THE SUBJECT POPULATION.THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 1,645 WARRANTY CLAIMS ON THE COMBINED POPULATION.ODI SURVEYED WARRANTY CLAIM OWNERS AND FOUND THAT A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF THE FAILURES RESULTED IN A DISABLED VEHICLE.ODI ALSO BELIEVES THAT CERTAIN MODELS ARE MORE PRONE TO FAILURE AND FURTHER ANALYSIS IS WARRANTED TO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCES IN FAILURE RATES. ODI IS CONCERNED THAT A LARGE DISABLED VEHICLE IS AT AN INCREASED RISK OF BEING STRUCK IN THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE.ODI IS ALSO CONCERNED THAT THIS FAILURE MODE PROVIDES LITTLE WARNING AND THEREFORE, A DRIVER HAS LESS OPPORTUNITY TO REMOVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE TRAVEL LANES OR SHOULDER, ONCE A FAN SEPARATION HAS OCCURRED.ODI WILL CONDUCT FURTHER RISK ASSESSMENT DURING THE EA TO GAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE WARNING, OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO THE DRIVER AND THE INCREASED RISK OF THE TRUCK BEING STRUCK IN THE EVENT OF A BREAKDOWN.NHTSA HAS UPGRADED PE09-002 TO AN EA (EA09-008) TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER.

TRUCK WAS TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE 81 IN VA, 208MM. AS TRUCK WAS CHANGING LANES THE LEFT STEER TIRE BLEW OUT, CAUSING OVER $10,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO TRUCK AND LEAVING DRIVER STRANDED ON LEFT SHOULDER OF INTERSTATE. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED OR KILLED BUT TRUCK WAS IN DANGEROUS LOCATION. VA STATE POLICE WERE VERY HELPFUL AND THE CREW FROM PETRO TRUCK STOP CAME OUT QUICKLY AND R&R TIRE AND WHEEL TO GET TRUCK BACK TO TRUCK STOP. TRUCK WAS TRAVELING APPROX. 60 MPH AT TIME OF FAILURE, AVERAGE WEIGHT ON FRONT AXLE IS 12,000, TIRE PRESSURE IS CHECKED EVERY MORNING AND WAS 130PSI BEFORE STARTING THAT DAY, THE WHEEL IS AN ALCOA 8.25 X 22.5 RATED FOR 130PSI. TIRE IS A MICHELIN ENERGY XZA2+ 295/60R 22.5 *JS

NHTSA ID

10669074

Incident

Nov 20, 2014

Mileage

932,374 mi

2007 PETERBILT SEMI TRUCK. CONSUMER REQUESTS ASSISTANCE IN GETTING COMPANY TRUCK TESTED FOR EMISSION AND SEAL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HER HUSBAND WAS FOUND DECEASED ON MARCH 26, 2012. THE CONSUMER STRONGLY BELIEVED, HER HUSBAND WAS A VICTIM OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. THE DECEDENT WAS FOUND IN AN IDLING TRUCK WITH ALL THE VENTS CLOSED OFF. THE AUTOPSY REPORT DESCRIBED HER HUSBAND AS HAVING FACIAL PLETHORA A SYMPTOM FOUND IN A DECEASED PERSON WITH CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.

NHTSA ID

10493981

Incident

Mar 26, 2012

TRUCK WAS SITTING UNATTENDED AND WIRING HARNESS SHORTED OUT AND BURNED ALL THE WIRING UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER ASKING AROUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE ISN'T A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. IF A DRIVER IS ASLEEP IN THE SLEEPER AND THIS WERE TO HAPPEN THERE COULD BE A LOSS OF LIFE OR CRITICAL/SEVERE INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10478763

Incident

Oct 28, 2011

Mileage

629,063 mi

AFTER GETTING 2007 PETERBILT WASHED I LEFT WASH BAY TO LET TRUCK DRY. I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. UPON STARTING THE ENGINE I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM RIGHT WHEEL WELL. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. HOOD STARTED TO BUCKLE FROM HEAT. I RAISED HOOD AND FIRE WAS LOCATED NEAR LEFT SIDE OF FIREWALL. I GOT FIRE EXTINGUISHER OUT AND PUT OUT FIRE. FUEL LINE HAD RUBBED A HOLE IN IT BY RUBBING AGAINST A LARGE POWER CABLE. FUEL LEAKED AND SPARK FROM POWER CABLE IGNITED FUEL. THE TRUCK IS A 2007 -379 WITH A CATERPILLAR ENGINE. THE TRUCK HAS 300,000. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TUFF. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON PETERBILTS AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. I AM GLAD I DID NOT WAKE UP TO FIND THE CAB ENGULFED IN FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10404099

Incident

May 30, 2011

Mileage

300,000 mi

THE DRIVE SHAFT ON A 2007 PETERBILT MALFUNCTIONED AND DROPPED OUT OF THE TRACTOR, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TRACTOR AND TO 5 VEHICLES FOLLOWING WHO HIT THE SHAFT IN THE ROADWAY. THE PETERBILT HAS 267,009 MILES ON IT AND THE SHAFT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THIS WAS A DANA CORPORATION DRIVESHAFT AND THEY FIXED THE TRACTOR UNDER WARRANTY AND ARE HANDLING THE CLAIMS OF THE 5 VEHICLES WHO ENCOUNTERED THE DEFECTIVE SHAFT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10272884

Incident

Mar 11, 2009

Mileage

267,009 mi

I DRIVE A TRACTOR TRAILER FOR R.L. SMITH TRUCKING 169 ENTERPRISE DR. WENTZVILLE MO. I HAVE BEEN TELLING RICHARD & ERIC SMITH THAT I HAVE BEEN SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING IN MY TRUCK. THEY KEEP BLOWING ME OFF SAYING "YOU & YOUR SMELLS". FINALLY I TOOK IT TO KENWORTH OF JOPLIN MO & THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE GASKET ON THE MAIN PART OF THE EXHAUST BEHIND THE TWIN TURBOS. I CALLED RICHARD (1-3-09) & TOLD HIM WHAT THEY FOUND. RICHARD SAID HE IS NOT GETTING IT FIXED UNTIL I FINISH MY RUN & HE WILL LOOK AT IT WHEN I GET IN. KENWORTH OF JOPLIN SAID THEY COULD HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM THAT NIGHT, BUT I WAS TOLD NOT TO HAVE IT FIXED. I ALSO TOLD RICHARD THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 12-31-08 & HE SAID HE WOULD HAVE ERIC PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER. THEY NEVER DID. IT SEAMS THAT RICHARD SMITH FIXES ALL THE MEN'S TRUCKS, BUT PUTS MINE OFF ALL THE TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10253708

Incident

Oct 12, 2008

Mileage

220,000 mi

1210F - SPL 170XL Interaxle Driveline Warranty section has been updated with descriptions of Recommended Repairs and an updated PRWS Claim Coding table has been added.

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

Fix as Fail: For all conventional models, except 387/587, equipped with Side-of-Cab (“SOC”) exhaust and built from 03/6/2006 to 1/20/2020, the clamps that secure the SOC exhaust stacks may not be tightened properly. This may allow the exhaust stack to rotate and contact the cab or sleeper.

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.

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

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