2016 Peterbilt 579 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2016 Peterbilt 579, 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
- Powertrain (other)250.0%
- Electrical125.0%
- Steering125.0%
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
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 PETERBILT 579. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE EMITTED AND THE STEERING COLUMN RELEASED INDEPENDENTLY ONTO THE CONTACT'S LAP. THE LOCKING MECHANISM WAS ADJUSTED AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS PLACED BACK INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP OR UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 09/28/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE LOCKING CAM AND SPRING. ALSO, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER MOVED TO EASILY WHEN BUMPED. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 PETERBILT 579. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL BEFORE GOING BACK INTO DRIVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
the window switch that operates the window goes bad on every single one of these trucks . the switch controls windows , door locks dome light and mirror heat. the switch is unavailable to buy as a part , the part is on national backorder with no estimated time . the window does not go up or down . the window needs to work in order for the vehicle to pass safety inspection . this makes it safety issue .
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 PETERBILT 579. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE EMITTED AND THE STEERING COLUMN RELEASED INDEPENDENTLY ONTO THE CONTACT'S LAP. THE LOCKING MECHANISM WAS ADJUSTED AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS PLACED BACK INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP OR UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 09/28/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE LOCKING CAM AND SPRING. ALSO, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER MOVED TO EASILY WHEN BUMPED. *JS
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .