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Vehicle safety record

2001 Peterbilt 379 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2001 Peterbilt 379 with NHTSA, most often about the suspension (3) and the body, doors & structure (2). Those complaints describe 1 injury. It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in April 2003 for the hub. For comparison, the 2000 has 12 and the 2002 has 0.

NHTSA data checked

FFar more problems than a typical 379 year, for its age

#232 most complained-about 2001 vehicle

Complaints
6
Recalls
4
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Most common 2001 Peterbilt 379 problems

Share of all 6 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2001 Peterbilt 379 recalls 4

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

Suspension: hub

03V125000154 vehicles affected

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.

Service brakes: check valve

02V0180012,302 vehicles affected

The problem
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with meritor wabco pneumatic anitlock brake system (abs) valve packages, the assembly bolts on these valve packages were not tightened correctly.
The risk
Bolts torqued below specification will not reliably prevent air leakage at the affected abs valve package interface joints once the component begins normal vehicle operation. If air leaks develop at any of the abs valve package interface joints, brake system pressure reductions could occur during braking or normal operation with units equipped with the traction control option, potentially extending stopping distances, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix
Dealers will tighten the fasteners to the proper specification. Owner notification began february 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 kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 1-940-591-4201.

Latch

01V17900052,500 vehicles affected

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.

Steering

01V0660001,755 vehicles affected

The problem
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks. The bolts used to secure the steering shaft can fail.
The risk
This condition can result in the loss of vehicle control without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
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 say

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6 complaints about the 2001 Peterbilt 379

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Suspension

Vehicle would wander when driving 60-65 mph, vehicle been in dealer shop on two occasions, and roblem still occurring. Feel free to provide any further information.*Ak

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 8005818
Suspension

Front wheel bearings have required tightening numerous times. The left and right side bearings have been replaced due to spindles. *Jg

Filed SuspensionNHTSA 564714
Engine & coolingEquipment & accessories1 injury

Vehicle has a toxic chemicals coming out of air ducts. Consumer believed it was coming out of air conditioner evaporator. It burned consumer's eyes. Consumer will contact the manufacturer. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · EquipmentNHTSA 889927
Body, doors & structure

The vehicle exhibits strong vibration, the dealer has balanced the driveshaft, delay spring, replaced the front shock absorbers, front bearings, installed aluminum front hubs, aligned the front wheels, replaced engine injector coils, replaced one defective wheel, replaced muffler seal, mirror door mounting and, with all these repairs the vibration was not eliminated. Nlm

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 560644
Suspension

Vehicle vibrates excessively at high speeds of 55 to 65mph. Dealer has seen vehicle 2 times, and problem still exists. *Ak

Filed SuspensionNHTSA 881587
Body, doors & structure

The door is out of alignmet allowing cold air to enter the cab while driving and making it difficult to open and close the door, the dealer has has attempted to fix the problem on several occasions but with no success. Nlm

Filed StructureNHTSA 559863

Peterbilt 379: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20057603Engine & coolingF
20041400Engine & coolingF
20033500Engine & coolingF
20020200-C
20016400SuspensionF
200012601Body, doors & structureF
19995601Engine & coolingF
19986204Electrical systemF
19974010Fuel systemD
All 379 years

2001 Peterbilt 379 vs rivals

VehicleComplaintsRecallsCrashesGrade
2001 Peterbilt 379640F
2001 Peterbilt 387220CCompare
2001 Peterbilt 377210CCompare
2001 Peterbilt Peterbilt100ACompare

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 2001 Peterbilt 379

Does the 2001 Peterbilt 379 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2001 Peterbilt 379: hub (April 2003); check valve (January 2002); latch (June 2001); steering (March 2001). 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 2001 Peterbilt 379?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the suspension (3), body, doors & structure (2), engine & cooling (1).

How many complaints has the 2001 Peterbilt 379 had?

6 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 22, 2001 and the latest on March 18, 2002. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.

Is the 2001 Peterbilt 379 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 14 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?
What should I do if my 2001 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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