RoadVitals

2019 Peterbilt 579

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.
2
Latest Apr 23, 2021
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.
8
Latest Apr 25, 2022
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.
2
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

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2019 Peterbilt 579, most frequently naming the steering, suspension and tires & wheels categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 88 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

  • Steering250.0%
  • Suspension125.0%
  • Tires & wheels125.0%

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

Safety recalls

8 campaigns cover this model year

View all 8

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
22V277000

STEERING:CRITICAL FASTENERS

Apr 25, 2022
17,641 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Kenworth T270, T370, T440, T470, T660, T680, T880, T800, W900, W990; and 2018-2020 Peterbilt 330, 337, 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, 567, and 579 vehicles. The Dana D-Series axle steer arm fasteners that attach the steering arm to the steering knuckle may fail.
The risk: Fastener failure can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy: Dealers will replace and torque the steer arm fasteners, at no charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2022. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 22 PBB and 22 KWB.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 22 PBB and 22 KWBView on NHTSA.gov
21V00N000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Dec 29, 2021
1,107 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Peterbilt 567, 579, 2021-2022 Peterbilt 536, 2017-2021 Kenworth T880, 2016-2022 Kenworth T680, 2018-2020 Kenworth T440, 2020 Kenworth T270, and 2021 Kenworth T280 vehicles. The methane detection system will not function if the system loses power.
The risk: The operator may be unaware of a system malfunction or the presence of excessive methane levels, increasing the risk of injury or fire.
The remedy: Dealers will re-wire the warning alarm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 1, 2022. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220, and Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 21KWH and 21PBN.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 21KWH and 21PBNView on NHTSA.gov
21V906000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

Nov 19, 2021
908 units potentially affected
The defect: PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Kenworth T880, W990, Peterbilt 567, 579, 389, and 2022 Peterbilt 536, 537 wrecker and auto hauler vehicles. The work brake (winch brake) may unintentionally disengage the service brakes during winching operations, causing the vehicle to roll.
The risk: Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy: Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 2022. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1-425-828-5888 (Kenworth); or 1-940-591-4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 21KWG and 21PBM.
PACCAR IncorporatedManufacturer number 21KWG and 21PBMView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE20015ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Quarter Fender Failures

Opened Sep 21, 2020
Closed Oct 14, 2021

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE21-015) based on one Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) and supporting fleet reports. The reports indicated that the subject quarter fenders were prone to cracking and/or separation.After a comprehensive review of the data related to the quarter fender failures on the subject vehicles, ODI did not identify the existence of a safety-related defect trend. Quarter fender failures resulted in a warranty claim rate less than one percent (<1%) of the total vehicle population. All separations, including those due to tread separations, road hazards, etc., accounted for less than point one percent (<0.1%) of the total vehicle population.ODI discovered that the minimum recommended gap between the top of the quarter fender and the bottom of the trailer was not known or being followed. The optional quarter fenders were supplied by Fontaine Spray Systems (FSS), who recommended a two inch (2) gap. ODI analyzed the claim data using a calculated gap. A calculated gap using the top of the quarter fender flap and assuming the trailer is level with the top of the fifth wheel hitch was necessary, as PACCAR doesn't know specifically what trailer a purchaser will couple to the tractor. It is safe to assume no trailers on the market extend below the upper fifth wheel plate, but many do provide additional clearance over the wheels where the quarter fenders are located. ODI determined that 94 percent of warranty claims and 84 percent of separations violated FSS' recommendation.ODI confirmed that the VOQ vehicle and the fleet report vehicles also violated FSS' recommended gap. In one fleet the gap was negative point three inches (-0.3).PACCAR has updated its vehicle specification process and issued a customer advisory notice to existing owners. In light of the low rate of reported failures and separations, further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
PE20006ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Intermittent Loss of Power Steering Assist

Opened May 1, 2020
Closed Mar 27, 2024

On May 1, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE20006 to investigate complaints of intermittent loss of power steering assist in Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), Volvo Trucks of North America (Volvo) and PACCAR vehicles equipped with a ZF/TRW (TRW) THP60 steering gear.  The investigation focused on 2010-2020 DTNA Freightliner Cascadia, M2 and WST; Volvo VN, VAH and VHD and PACCAR 337, 365, 389, 567, 579 model vehicles.Field reports and interviews with fleet drivers allege that high power steering fluid temperatures could result in internal seal and bearing failures causing pressure fluctuation, affecting left and right-hand turns.  The inability of the driver to steer the vehicle as intended can increase the risk of a crash and injury. ODI analyzed data provided by TRW, DTNA, Volvo, and PACCAR in response to individual information request letters.ODI found that most failures occurred within the first two years and/or 50,000 miles of service.  The claim rate decreased with time and miles in service and remained less than 0.5%. ODI normalized data from each of the manufacturers and determined that there was not a substantial difference in the failures.Additionally, TRW improved a seal in the steering gear in December 2015.Trucks built on or after 2016 (as 2017 and newer model years) show a decreasing trend of failures. In view of the overall low failure rate, the nature of early-life failure, and failure rate trending downward for model years 2017 and newer, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed.  The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

Recent owner complaints

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

SteeringSuspensionTires & wheels
Filed Apr 23, 2021

MY 2019 PETERBILT MODEL 579 HAS FRONT END ISSUES !!!!!! I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE ALIGNED ALL THREE AXLES AND ON THE SECOND OCCASION JUST THE STEER AXLE. I AM ON MY 4TH SET OF STEER TIRES. THE TRUCK CAME THROUGH WITH 11 R22.5 GOODYEAR TIRES THEY STARTED CUPPING OUT AT 25 TO 35,000 MILES I TOOK THEM OFF AND PUT ON A SET OF 11R 22.5 GENERAL BRAND TIRES AND HENCE HAD THE (3)AXLE ALIGNMENT DONE AT APPROX.72 TO 75,00 MILES THESE TIRES CUPPED OUT SO BAD I HAD TO REMOVE THEM WITH APPROX 30,000 MILES ON THEM.. I WENT BACK TO THE TIRE DEALER HAD ANOTHER SET OF GENERAL 11R.22.5 TIRES AND HAD THE STEER AXLE ALIGNED. AND AFTER 25 TO 30,000 MILES THE SAME THIING CUPPED OUT SO BAD I COULDN'T DRIVE THE TRUCK SAFELY. DECEMBER 24 2020 I PUT ON A SET OF LESSAR EXPENSIVE TIRES AT A TRUCK STOP THIS TIME 22.5 LOW PROFILE TIRES AND THE SAME THING THEY HAVE APPROX. 30,OOO MILES ON THEM AND ARE CUPPING OUT IM AT A LOSS AS WHAT TO DO NEXT I'M JUST ABOUT OUT OF BAND AIDS AND MONEY FOR THIS (NOT TO MENTION MY PATIENCE

NHTSA ID
11413621
Incident
Jan 2, 2020
Steering
Filed Oct 7, 2019

AFTER HITTING A BUMP, THE STEERING WOULD SHAKE SO BAD IT WAS HARD TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL. HAD TO PULL OFF ON THE SHOULDER TO GET THE SHAKING TO STOP. AFTER HAVING THIS HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES IN ONE DAY, I TOOK THE TRUCK TO DEALER WHERE THEY DISCOVERED IT HAD A BAD STEERING BOX. STILL WAITING ON THE TRUCK TO GET OUT OF SHOP.

NHTSA ID
11266875
Incident
Sep 19, 2019
Mileage
60,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

E311

ENGINE

105 chassis have been removed from the chassis list and unflagged in PRWS due to expiration of applicable warranty coverage. Total chassis population is 732.

E311

ENGINE

The Condition, Chassis Affected, Service Action, Warranty, and Procedure sections have been updated to include the latest prognostics bulletin verbiage.

02-177

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Troubleshooting procedures for 2.1m cab power windows are now available.

45-070

ENGINE

The attached procedures document has been updated with more detail and explanations. This is not a stand-alone procedure. Cummins Quickserve troubleshooting will specify the use of these procedures while troubleshooting specific fault codes.

CE036

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

KW & PB DEF Quality Sensor part number Q21-6127-001 for PACCAR PX-7 and Cummins X15 engines has been added to this warranty policy.

14-034

Bogie Crossmember Torque Value Update - Procedure has been updated to correct torque values.

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 579 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027020—
2026120—
2025070—
2024370—
20233110—
20226150—
2021190—
2020460—
2019Viewing282—
20187142—
20173133—
20163111—
2015491—
20142121—
20131131—
2012061—
2011040—
2010030—
2009020—
2008020—
2007010—
2006010—

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.