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Vehicle safety record

1997 Peterbilt 379 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 1997 Peterbilt 379 with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system (2) and the steering (1). Those complaints describe 1 crash and 1 injury. There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 1996 has 2 and the 1998 has 6.

NHTSA data checked

DMore problems than a typical 379 year, for its age

#209 most complained-about 1997 vehicle

Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Most common 1997 Peterbilt 379 problems

Share of all 4 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

No recalls for the 1997 Peterbilt 379

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1997 Peterbilt 379. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.

What owners say

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4 complaints about the 1997 Peterbilt 379

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Body, doors & structureBrakesFuel system

Brakes would not hold while in park, body bushings and support is worn and rusted. Fuel had lack of power and excessive fuel smell and would not start with out starting fluid and was the color of off road diesel. *Tr

Filed Incident Structure · Service brakes · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10593894
Equipment & accessoriesCrash1 injury

In reference to my prior complaint ref. #10004102. To which you replied no action will be taken because there are "no other report similar to" mine. It appears that the dot and doe don't talk to one another. The doe has had three similar failures of fontaine 5th-wheels. Http://www.Hanford.Gov/lessons/sitell/ll01/2001-47.Htm project hanford lessons learned. Title: tractor-trailer fifth wheel detachments. Date: december 17, 2001, identifier: 2001-rl-hnf-0047. *Nlm

Filed Incident Equipment · Unknown or otherNHTSA 10018680
Fuel system

Left rear fuel tank strap broke causing tank to hang from the truck, strap had hairline crack on inner side below weld, this may have caused extensive fuel leakage, dealer claims this to be a common problem. *Mjs

Filed Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 559857
SteeringTransmission & drivetrainWheels & tires

Wheel seals & bearings went out. Had bearings & seals replaced & they went out again. Also wheel hub and spindle might be defective. *Ak

Filed Incident Steering · Power train · WheelsNHTSA 832357

Peterbilt 379: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20016400SuspensionF
200012601Body, doors & structureF
19995601Engine & coolingF
19986204Electrical systemF
19974010Fuel systemD
19962100Wheels & tiresC
19953001Electrical systemC
19941000Wheels & tiresA
All 379 years

1997 Peterbilt 379 vs rivals

VehicleComplaintsRecallsCrashesGrade
1997 Peterbilt 379401D
1997 Peterbilt Peterbilt420DCompare

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 1997 Peterbilt 379

Does the 1997 Peterbilt 379 have any recalls?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1997 Peterbilt 379 right now. Recalls can be announced at any time, and this page checks NHTSA every day. You can also check your exact vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Peterbilt 379?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the fuel system (2), steering (1), transmission & drivetrain (1).

How many complaints has the 1997 Peterbilt 379 had?

4 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on December 16, 1998 and the latest on May 24, 2014. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.

Is the 1997 Peterbilt 379 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 39 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Peterbilt 379 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Peterbilt 379 years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 1997 Peterbilt 379 has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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