1998 Peterbilt 379 Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Peterbilt 379 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1998 Peterbilt 379. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by suspension (2) and brakes (1). Of all complaints, 4 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 9 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the module and 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Suspension complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the hub filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system3 50%
- Suspension2 33%
- Brakes1 17%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Our 1998 Peterbilt 379 caught fire inside uss posco steel mill in pittsburg, california on thursday 5-16-2002. After looking at your web site I found a recall the NHTSA campaign id number: 00v029000 . Now our truck is in the process of being totaled out. How do we find out if this is what caused fire. On our estimate damages we have loss of the of our truck, our lively hood, and any claims which uss posco may make, for having to be shut down. My husband is definitely tramatized, he has not slept well since this occured and when he does he has dreams of the truck going up in flames. …”
NHTSA complaint #762038, filed 2002-05Suspension: “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 2010-02Brakes: “I don't know where to start. We have been fighting with paccar for almost two years now. My husbands truck, listed on the included form, was almost brand new when it caught fire and burnt beyond repair. We have recently hired a laywer to help us in this case. That is why I don't want you to notify Peterbilt . Our insurance company hired a fire investigator and we were told that the fire was caused by a faulty brake spring. We are still trying to get the report from our insurance company. They have the report and they won't release a copy of it to us. Our hands are tired at this point. …”
NHTSA complaint #720559, filed 2000-03Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 03V125000Apr 1, 2003Suspension › Front › HubCovers: Peterbilt 379 1998–2002, 387 1998–2002, 357 1998–2002 +5 more
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.
- 99V181001Jul 9, 1999Electrical system › Ignition › ModuleCovers: Peterbilt 379 1998–1999, Kenworth W900 1998–1999, T800 1998–1999 +5 more
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with caterpillar engines and eaton autoshift transmissions. The engines can stall because of software problems.
Recall details for the 1998 Peterbilt 379 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 9 on record; the latest 9 are shown.
- 10188550Feb 10, 2021Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Equipment. Information Only â Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate. Washer pumps may fail to spray due to a clogged filter.
- 10177021Jun 8, 2020Electrical 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…
- 10176033May 29, 2020Transmission and drivetrain. Information only: Hendrickson Softek front axle maintenance intervals and requirements.
- 10173205Mar 17, 2020Equipment. Information Only: Proper jump-starting voltage will eliminate high voltage related issues and equipment damage.
- 10168703Nov 6, 2019Engine cooling. Information Only: This bulletin provides guidance for repairing an air-conditioning system after internal failure of the A/C compressor.
- 10162392Jun 10, 2019Electrical system. Information Only - Quick Reference Guide for Electric harness damage repairs.
- 10159674Apr 8, 2019Equipment. Information Only: Proper instructions for closure of power distribution box cover to prevent corrosion.
- 10154733Jan 4, 2019Electrical system. 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…
- 10143649Jul 23, 2018Electrical system. Information - Recommended Practices for Updating ESA Software
Other model years of the Peterbilt 379
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 6 | 267,009 | 9 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 7 | 200,000 | 6 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 6 | — | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 12 | — | 6 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 5 | — | 6 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 6 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Peterbilt 379 have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1998 Peterbilt 379 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 Peterbilt 379 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by suspension with 2.
Has the 1998 Peterbilt 379 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.