2000 Peterbilt 379

Routine

Owners filed 12 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the latches/locks/linkages › doors › latch. It has been recalled 6 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch3
000
Structure › Frame and Members2
000
Service Brakes, Air2
000
Suspension1
010
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Pump1
000
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft1
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission1
000
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Trunk Lid › Lock1
000

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.

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly02V037003
Filed Jul 15, 20024,513 vehiclesPaccar, Incorporated

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.

Suspension01V167001
Filed May 17, 2001390 vehiclesPaccar, Incorporated

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CHALMERS 1000 SERIES AND 800 SERIES SUSPENSION KITS. THESE SUSPENSION KITS MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT PENETRATION OF THE WELD ATTACHING THE TORQUE ROD EYE TO THE TORQUE ROD TUBE.

Risk. FAILURE OF THE WELD COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE EYE AND TUBE, CAUSING A LOCK OF AXLE RETENTION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL CHALMERS FIXED TORQUE RODS ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 27, 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.

Steering01V066000
Filed Mar 7, 20011,755 vehiclesPaccar, Incorporated

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE BOLTS USED TO SECURE THE STEERING SHAFT CAN FAIL.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 2, 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
SuspensionFire
Filed Jul 21, 2010WI

2000 PETERBILT 379 UTILITY TRAILER WHEEL BEARING CAUGHT ON FIRE. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0205-89)*JB UPDATED 08/05/10 *BF UPDATED 9/1/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE BEARINGS WENT DRY AND STARTED A GREASE FIRE, NOT THE TIRES. UPDATED 09/1/410

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Filed Mar 12, 2004IN

THE WELD BETWEEN THE SHAFT HOUSING AND AIR CHAMBER ARM WAS BREAKING. *PH *LA

Service Brakes, Air
Filed Nov 25, 2003PA

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S BRAKING SYSTEM OPERATED POORLY. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT ALL FOUR REAR WHEEL BRAKE ASSEMBLIES WERE CRACKED. ELEVEN FAILURES WERE REPORTED WITH THE DEALER WITHIN 22 MONTHS. THE WRITER, JOHN REED DAVIS, A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER WAS RETAINED BY THE CONSUMER. (PETERBILT 379 TRI AXLE DUMP TRUCK WITH S CAM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES INSTALLED ON THE TRI AXLE). *AK *NLM

Service Brakes, Air
Filed Oct 24, 2003PA

PROBLEMS WITH S CAM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE INSTALLED ON THE TRI AXLE TRUCK. *MR THE PROBLEM WAS COMMON IN OTHER TRUCKS WITH LARGE ENGINES SUCH AS 600 HP AND DANA SPICER DUAL REAR AXLE CONFIGURATION. *SCC *JB

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Feb 13, 2002WI

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND GOING OVER A POT HOLE IN THE PAVEMENT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR UNEXPECTEDLY OPENED. THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. NLM

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Nov 29, 2001IL

VEHICLE IS LEANING TOO MUCH TO THE LEFT. *AK

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Nov 29, 2001IL

VEHICLE IS LEANING TOO MUCH TO THE LEFT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER AND SEVERAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS, AND NO ONE CAN CORRECT THE PROBLEM, ASKING NHTSA TO ASSIST ON THIS ISSUE.*AK. SEVERAL MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE STEER TIRES WERE WORN, THE STEER AXLE WHEEL BEARING WAS BROKEN AND THE RIGHT STEER AXLE KINPIN HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY, THE VEHICLE WAS ALIGNED, THE CLUTCH WAS ADJUSTED, THE STEERING WAS TIGHT, AND THE STEERING GEAR BOX WAS REPLACED.*JB

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Pump
Filed Aug 22, 2001MS

POWER STEERING RESERVOIR MOUNTING BRACKET BROKE, OWNER WAS INFORMED THAT A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED AND THAT A REPLACEMENT BRACKET WOULD BE INSTALLED IF THE EXISTING BRACKET WAS CRACKING, CONSUMER SUGGESTS AN ANGLE TYPE BRACKET BE FABRICATED AND BOLTED TO THE EXISTING RESERVOIR BRACKET, THEN BOLTED TO THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD BOLT, THIS WOULD ELIMATE TORSION STRESSES ON THE RESERVOIR BRACKETS AT THE TIMING COVER WHERE CRACKS BEGIN. *SLC

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jan 25, 2001IN

FRONT DOORS UNLATCH WHILE TRAVELING OVER UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES, DEALER HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN FIXING PROBLEM. *SLC

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jan 25, 2001IN

FRONT DOORS WILL UNLATCH CAUSING THEM TO OPEN COMPLETELY, DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *SLC

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Trunk Lid › Lock
Filed Jan 25, 2001IN

FRONT DOORS UNLATCH WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS, NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE DEALER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, ALSO AN AIR RIDE WAS INSTALLED FOR THE CAB, BUT IT'S BEGINNING TO BUCKLE NEAR THE AIR CLEANER. *SLC

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 9, 2000KS

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY A TRUCK PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. CONSUMER SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED INTO GEAR. CONTACTED DEALER. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES. *AK

12 of 12 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20160100Routine
20150100Routine
20140100Routine
20130200Routine
20120200Routine
20110200Routine
20100200Routine
20090500Routine
20080900Routine
20076921Fatalities reported
20062700Routine
20057630Routine
20041400Routine
20033500Routine
20020200Routine
20016400Routine
2000 — this page12610Routine
19995610Routine
19986240Routine
19974000Routine
19962100Routine
19953010Routine
19941000Routine
19921010Routine
19911000Routine

Compare every 379 year →

Reading this record

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.