Peterbilt 379 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 42 consumer complaints across the 6 model years of the Peterbilt 379 (1998–2007) that have at least 5 complaints. 2000 has the most, with 12. Across all years, the part named most often is transmission and drivetrain (7 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All 379 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 6 | 267,009 | 9 | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 7 | 200,000 | 6 | 14 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 6 | — | 4 | 9 | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 12 | — | 6 | 9 | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 5 | — | 6 | 9 | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 6 | — | 2 | 9 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Transmission and drivetrain7 17%
- Suspension7 17%
- Engine cooling7 17%
- Body and structure5 12%
- Fuel system5 12%
- Latches, locks and linkages4 9.5%
- Electrical system4 9.5%
- Steering3 7.1%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2007: “After getting 2007 Peterbilt washed I left wash bay to let truck dry. I shut the engine off. Upon starting the engine I saw smoke coming from right wheel well. I immediately shut the engine off. Hood started to buckle from heat. I raised hood and fire was located near left side of firewall. I got fire extinguisher out and put out fire. Fuel line had rubbed a hole in it by rubbing against a large power cable. Fuel leaked and spark from power cable ignited fuel. The truck is a 2007 -379 with a caterpillar engine. The truck has 300,000. Dealership told me tuff. …”
NHTSA complaint #10404099, filed 2011-06, 300,000 miles1998: “There was no accident involved with this complaint. This is regarding peterbilts recall #303-a I have a 1998 379 that was purchased 10/5/01 since then I have replaced the hub bearings on the steer axle once on the drivers side and three times on the passenger side. After the third time on the passenger side I replaced everything ( spindle,hub,and drum ) according to Peterbilt my truck does not fall into their recall. I believe it does and is a manufacturer defect because after replacing the forementioned parts it seems to have solved the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10312930, filed 2010-021999: “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?”
NHTSA complaint #10016372, filed 2003-04Other Peterbilt models
19 complaintsPeterbilt 579
19 complaintsPeterbilt 388
17 complaintsPeterbilt Peterbilt
11 complaintsPeterbilt 389
7 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology