- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Seizure of the bearings can cause wheel separation or wheel end fire.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
1999 Peterbilt 379 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 1999 Peterbilt 379 with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (2) and the fuel system (2). Those complaints describe 1 fire. It is covered by 6 recalls, the latest in April 2003 for the hub. For comparison, the 1998 has 6 and the 2000 has 12.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical 379 year, for its age
#242 most complained-about 1999 vehicle
- Complaints
- 5
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1999 Peterbilt 379 problems
Share of all 5 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1999 Peterbilt 379 recalls 6
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks. A change in the internal linkage of certain cab doors has created a possible binding condition.
- The risk
- If the linkage binds, full engagement of the door latch may not occur, allowing the door to open inadvertently.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If this condition occurs, the driver can lose partial control of the right front wheel, possibly resulting in a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with caterpillar engines and eaton autoshift transmissions. The engines can stall because of software problems.
- The risk
- INCREASED STEERING EFFORT CAN OCCUR.
- The fix
- Dealers will update these engines with software changes. Caterpillar is conducting the owner notification and remedy of this recall.
What owners say
Be the first 379 owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
5 complaints about the 1999 Peterbilt 379
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
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
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
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
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
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
Peterbilt 379: every year compared
All 379 years1999 Peterbilt 379 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 Peterbilt 379 | 5 | 6 | F | |
| 1999 Peterbilt Peterbilt | 3 | 3 | C | Compare |
| 1999 Peterbilt 330 | 1 | 6 | F | Compare |
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.
Questions about the 1999 Peterbilt 379
Does the 1999 Peterbilt 379 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 1999 Peterbilt 379: hub (April 2003); tie rod assembly (July 2002); tie rod assembly (August 2001); latch (June 2001) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Peterbilt 379?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (2), fuel system (2), steering (1).
How many complaints has the 1999 Peterbilt 379 had?
5 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on December 21, 1999 and the latest on May 26, 2004. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1999 Peterbilt 379 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 11 out of 100 (grade F: far 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?
2000 (12), 2005 (7), 1998 (6). See every Peterbilt 379 year compared.
What should I do if my 1999 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