Owners filed 5 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 6 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Steering
1
0
0
0
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
1
0
0
0
Fuel System, Diesel › Storage › Tank Assembly
1
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel
1
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
1
0
1
0
6 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Suspension › Front › Hub03V125000
Filed Apr 1, 2003154 vehiclesPaccar Incorporated
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.
Risk. SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.
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.
Defect. HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW TIE ROD ENDS ON CERTAIN ARVINMERITOR AND DANA AXLES. PETERBILT WILL RECALL 1,434 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ARVINMERITOR AXLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 11, 1999, TO MAY 14, 2000, AND FROM JULY 22 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2000. KENWORTH WILL RECALL 859 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ARVINMERITOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 11, 1999, TO MAY 23, 2000, AND FROM JULY 27, 2000, TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND KENNWORTH WILL RECALL AN ADDITIONAL 4,151 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DANA AXLES AND MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 23 TO DECEMBER 6, 1999, AND FROM MAY 23 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2000. THE TIE ROD AND DRAG LINK BALL STUD ENDS CONTAIN BEARINGS THAT ARE BELOW THE SPECIFIED CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS.
Risk. THIS CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR WITH POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL AFFECTED TIE RODS AND DRAG LINKS WITH DIFFERENT DESIGNED ENDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 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 PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4201 OR KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.
Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly01V140006
Filed Aug 28, 20012,294 vehiclesPaccar, Incorporated
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW TIE ROD ENDS ON CERTAIN MERITOR AXLES. THE TIE ROD AND DRAG LINK BALL STUD ENDS CONTAIN BEARINGS THAT ARE BELOW THE SPECIFIED CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS.
Risk. THIS CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR WITH POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL AFFECTED TIE RODS AND DRAG LINKS WITH DIFFERENT DESIGNED ENDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 24, 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 OR KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5000.
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch01V179000
Filed Jun 5, 200152,500 vehiclesPaccar, Incorporated
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. A CHANGE IN THE INTERNAL LINKAGE OF CERTAIN CAB DOORS HAS CREATED A POSSIBLE BINDING CONDITION.
Risk. IF THE LINKAGE BINDS, FULL ENGAGEMENT OF THE DOOR LATCH MAY NOT OCCUR, ALLOWING THE DOOR TO OPEN INADVERTENTLY.
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.
Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly01V044005
Filed Mar 1, 20016,392 vehiclesPaccar, Incorporated
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED BY TRW. THE SUSPECT TIE RODS CONTAIN 24-DL MODEL BALL SOCKETS. CERTAIN OF THE TIE ROD BALL-SOCKET BEARINGS HAVE A BELOW-SPECIFICATION CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR OF THE SOCKET.
Risk. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BALL SOCKETS AND/OR DRAG LINKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2001, TO KENWORTH OWNERS AND ON APRIL 25, 2001, TO PETERBILT OWNERS. 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 1-425-828-5000, PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4000 OR TRW CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-280-3287.
Electrical System › Ignition › Module99V181001
Filed Jul 9, 1999272 vehiclesPaccar, Incorporated
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINES AND EATON AUTOSHIFT TRANSMISSIONS. THE ENGINES CAN STALL BECAUSE OF SOFTWARE PROBLEMS.
Risk. INCREASED STEERING EFFORT CAN OCCUR.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL UPDATE THESE ENGINES WITH SOFTWARE CHANGES. CATERPILLAR IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THIS RECALL.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel
Filed May 26, 2004688,310 milesPA
THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE WHEN SLOWING FOR A SCALE HOUSE, LEAVING THE TRUCK DISABLED. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A SHOP. THE CLUCH AND TRANSMISSION INPUT SHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFire
Filed Dec 22, 2003PA
VEHICLE FIRE IGNITED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DRIVER PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND DRIFTED ABOUT 1/2 MILE WITH THE ENGINE OFF. THE CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND SAW FLAMES UNDER THE ENGINE AREA. THE DRIVER RETRIEVED A FIRE EXTINGUISHED AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CAB OF THE SEMI SUSTAINED HEAVY FIRE, SMOKE AND WATER DAMAGE. *PH *NM
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Sep 2, 2003MA
FAULT IN FUEL LINE EQUALIZING AND IF YOU FILL YOUR FUEL TANKS THE FUEL ENDS UP RETURNING INTO ONE TANK AND THE TANK OVER FLOWS. THIS CAUSES TWO PROBLEMS THE FIRST IS CREATING AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD THE SECOND IS A SAFTY PROBLEM MAKING THE ROADWAY SLIPPERY WORST THAN DRIVING ON ICE.*AK
Fuel System, Diesel › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Apr 22, 2003TN
I OWN A 1999 PETERBILT 379 WITH LESS THAN 700,000 MILES. TODAY I HAD TO REPLACE A FUEL TANK STRAP THAT BROKE. BASED ON THE AGE OF THE TRUCK, IT APPEARS TO ME THAT IT IS A LITTLE PREMATURE TO BE REPLACING A STRAP, ESPECIALLY ON SOMETHING AS CRITICAL AS A FUEL TANK. I HAVE ALSO READ THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING LINKAGE, HOWEVER I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICE FROM PETERBILT OR ANYONE ELSE. WHAT DO I NEED TO LOOK FOR TO SEE IF IT APPLIES TO MY TRUCK? *JB
Steering
Filed Dec 21, 1999TX
THERE IS AN INCH OF DEAD PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER HAS TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AN ICH ONE WAY TO GET IT TO START TURNING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THIS CAUSES NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Apr 1, 2003. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.