2003 PETERBILT 379

5 recalls, 3 complaints - 16 TSBs

07V044000 Feb 12, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
Defect Description
ON CERTAIN NON-ABS EQUIPPED TRUCKS, AN AIR HOSE BETWEEN THE TRACTOR PROTECTION VALVE AND THE BACK OF THE CAB BULKHEAD WAS OMITTED.
Consequence
THE ABSENCE OF THIS AIR HOSE COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE DRIVE AXLE BRAKE PERFORMANCE WHILE A TRAILER IS BEING PULLED, RESULTING IN LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
PETERBILT WILL INSPECT THE AIR HOSE PLUMBING OF THE DRIVE AXLE BRAKE SYSTEM AND MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4196.
18 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: PACCAR INCORPORATED
03V410000 Oct 20, 2003
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
Defect Description
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DANA SPICER INTEGRAL KNUCKLE AND STEER ARM ASSEMBLIES, THE STEER AXLE ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE A LONGITUDINAL CRACK IN THE STEER ARM.
Consequence
IF THE CRACK SHOULD PROPAGATE OVER TIME, THE BALL COULD BECOME LOOSE RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE KNUCKLE AND STEER ARM ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440 OR PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4201.
1,187 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: PACCAR INCORPORATED
03V343000 Sep 15, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SLACK ADJUSTERS
Defect Description
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR 15X4 FRONT BRAKES AND DANA E1200 STEER AXLE, THE LEFT BRAKE CANNOT FULLY APPLY OR IT WOULD BECOME STUCK AND NOT RELEASE.
Consequence
IF THE LEFT BRAKE CANNOT FULLY BE APPLIED OR IF IT WERE TO BECOME STUCK AND NOT RELEASE, THIS COULD AFFECT THE VEHILCE STOPPING DISTANCE AND STABILITY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE "UNHANDED" AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTER WITH A "HANDED" AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTER THAT HAS A SIDE MOUNTED PAWL NUT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 6, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE FREMED... Read more
111 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: PACCAR INCORPORATED
03V288000 Aug 6, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
Defect Description
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, THE LOCKING TAB THAT LOCKS THE OUTER SPINDLE NUT ONTO THE SPINDLE WAS NOT ENGAGED OR PROPERLY BENT OVER.
Consequence
FAILURE TO PROPERLY ENGAGE THE LOCKING FEATURE INTO THE NUT COULD CAUSE THE NUT TO LOOSEN WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE WHEEL BEARING TO OVER HEAT AND FAIL IF UNDETECTED. IF THE LOOSE NUT IS NOT DETECTED, THE OUTER END (TIRE, WHEEL AND HUB ASSEMBLY) COULD BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREA... Read more
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HUBS TO DETERMINE IF THE LOCKING TABS ARE PROPERLY BENT. IF THE LOCKING TABS ARE NOT BENT, THEN DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE APPROPRIATE COMPONENTS FOR PREMATURE WEAR AND REPLACE SUCH COMPONENTS AS REQUIRED AND PROPERLY SECURE THE RETAINING NUT BY BENDING OVER THE LOCKING TAB. ... Read more
132 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: PACCAR INCORPORATED
03V168000 May 5, 2003
TRAILER HITCHES:FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY
Defect Description
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH JOST INTERNATIONAL JSK 37U SERIES FIFTH WHEELS, A FATIGUE CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE BRACKET PIN WELD UNDER CERTAIN LOADING CONDITIONS.
Consequence
IF LEFT UNDETECTED OR CORRECTED IT COULD LEAD TO THE SEPARATION OF THE FIFTH WHEEL TOP PLATE FROM ITS MOUNTING STRUCTURE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRACKET PINS AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. PETERBILT'S OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 20, 2003. KENWORTH'S OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 12, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE RE... Read more
483 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: PACCAR INCORPORATED

Complaint Statistics

3 total complaints

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY1
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY Jun 3, 2005
Incident date: Jan 20, 2004
I BOUGHT A 2003 PETERBILT 379 TRUCK WITH A SPLIT TANK IN NOVEMBER 2002. SINCE BRAND NEW THE TRUCK NEVER RAN RIGHT, EVEN THE OIL SAMPLES PERFORMED ON THE TRUCK SHOWED SOMETHING WAS NOT RIGHT. I TOOK IT BACK MANY TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP ONLY TO BE TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE DEALERSHIP SENT ME TO THE ... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Apr 29, 2003
WHEN ENGAGED THE VEHICLE RAN FOR APPROXIMATELY 15-30 SECONDS THEN STALLED. THE CONSUMER THEN HAD TO MANUALLY UTILIZE THE "HAND PRIMER VALVE" IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS ADVISED THAT SINCE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING EQUIPMENT DID NOT SHOWING ANY ISSUES, PROBLEM DID NOT EXIST. THE MOTOR... Read more
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS Aug 15, 2002
Incident date: Aug 9, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY SAW GREASE LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS LEAKING. MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Technical Service Bulletins, 2003 PETERBILT 379

16 manufacturer communications from 12 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
350000 EQUIPMENT2
162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR1
015100 STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP1
045000 SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC1
118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE1
353000 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL1
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL1
02-160 Feb 10, 2021
130000 VISIBILITY
Information Only a?? Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate. Washer pumps may fail to spray due to a clogged filter.
02-160 Feb 10, 2021
136000 VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
Information Only a?? Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate. Washer pumps may fail to spray due to a clogged filter.
02-160 Feb 10, 2021
350000 EQUIPMENT
Information Only a?? Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate. Washer pumps may fail to spray due to a clogged filter.
02-160 Feb 10, 2021
356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Information Only a?? Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate. Washer pumps may fail to spray due to a clogged filter.
32-015 Jun 8, 2020
110000 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 incomplet
11-001 May 29, 2020
100000 POWER TRAIN
Information only: Hendrickson Softek front axle maintenance intervals and requirements.
32-016 Mar 17, 2020
350000 EQUIPMENT
Information Only: Proper jump-starting voltage will eliminate high voltage related issues and equipment damage.
01-075 Nov 6, 2019
060000 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 Jun 10, 2019
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Information Only - Quick Reference Guide for Electric harness damage repairs.
34-077 Apr 8, 2019
353000 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
Information Only: Proper instructions for closure of power distribution box cover to prevent corrosion.
34-077 Apr 8, 2019
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
Information Only: Proper instructions for closure of power distribution box cover to prevent corrosion.
13-049 Jan 4, 2019
118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Information: Bendix ACOM Software version 6.16.5.0 for diagnostics may introduce an unrecoverable error. Notice to dealers to replace this version with older software version until Bendix introduces new version.
03-064 Jul 23, 2018
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Information - Recommended Practices for Updating ESA Software
604 Apr 7, 2004
045000 SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC
AIR DISC BRAKES FOR MODEL 379-FAMILY VEHICLES. PETERBILT. *TT
803 Sep 10, 2003
015100 STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
THERE ARE OCCASIONS WHEN A LEAK MAY DEVELOP IN A PRESSURE HOSE WITH A CRIMP-STYLE END FITTING AT THE POWER STEERING PUMP CONNECTION. THIS MAY BE DUE TO THE ORIENTATION AND LENGTH OF THE OE PRESSURE HOSE. A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT THAT REORIEN
20 Jul 31, 2003
162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
REPAIR OF MIRROR BRACKET CAB DOOR CORROSION. MODEL 379-FAMILY VEHICLES. YEAR UNKNOWN. *TT

NHTSA Safety Investigations, PETERBILT 379

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE09002 Opened: Jan 5, 2009 , Closed: May 29, 2009
PE, Closed , Model Year: 2007
HORTON FAN HUB FAILURES
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 C... Read more

PETERBILT 379 - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the PETERBILT 379 across all model years (1987, 2016).

80 Total Recalls
76 Total Complaints
1 Investigations
2 Reported Crashes
13 Reported Fires
2 Reported Deaths

PETERBILT 379 - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2016 1 0 View
2015 1 0 View
2014 1 0 View
2013 2 0 View
2012 2 0 View
2011 2 0 View
2010 2 0 View
2009 5 0 View
2008 9 0 View
2007 9 7 View
2006 7 2 View
2005 6 7 View
2004 4 1 View
2003 (current) 5 3
2002 2 0 View
2001 4 9 View
2000 6 18 View
1999 6 6 View
1998 2 6 View
1997 0 9 View
1996 1 2 View
1995 0 3 View
1994 0 1 View
1992 0 1 View
1991 0 1 View
1988 1 0 View
1987 2 0 View

Other PETERBILT Models

Model Recalls Complaints
567 326 11 View
579 308 53 View
389 271 34 View
367 260 0 View
365 259 1 View
520 234 4 View
548 202 0 View
348 158 0 View