- The problem
- On certain non-abs equipped trucks, an air hose between the tractor protection valve and the back of the cab bulkhead was omitted.
- The risk
- The absence of this air hose could adversely affect the drive axle brake performance while a trailer is being pulled, resulting in longer stopping distances, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Peterbilt will inspect the air hose plumbing of the drive axle brake system and make the necessary repairs. The recall began on february 22, 2007. Owners may contact peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.
Vehicle safety record
2003 Peterbilt 379 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2003 Peterbilt 379 with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (1) and the fuel system (1). It is covered by 5 recalls, the latest in February 2007 for the service brakes, air. For comparison, the 2002 has 0 and the 2004 has 1.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical 379 year, for its age
#305 most complained-about 2003 vehicle
- Complaints
- 3
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2003 Peterbilt 379 problems
Share of all 3 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2003 Peterbilt 379 recalls 5
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
- On certain trucks equipped with dana spicer integral knuckle and steer arm assemblies, the steer axle assemblies may have a longitudinal crack in the steer arm.
- The risk
- If the crack should propagate over time, the ball could become loose resulting in a loss of steering, which could result in a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the knuckle and steer arm assemblies. Owner notification began january 5, 2004. Owners should contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 1-940-591-4201.
- The problem
- On certain trucks equipped with meritor 15x4 front brakes and dana e1200 steer axle, the left brake cannot fully apply or it would become stuck and not release.
- The risk
- If the left brake cannot fully be applied or if it were to become stuck and not release, this could affect the vehilce stopping distance and stability.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the "unhanded" automatic slack adjuster with a "handed" automatic slack adjuster that has a side mounted pawl nut. Owner notification began january 6, 2004. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free fremedy within a reasonable time should contact peterbilt at 1-940-591-4201.
- The problem
- On certain heavy duty trucks, the locking tab that locks the outer spindle nut onto the spindle was not engaged or properly bent over.
- The risk
- Failure to properly engage the locking feature into the nut could cause the nut to loosen which will eventually cause the wheel bearing to over heat and fail if undetected. If the loose nut is not detected, the outer end (tire, wheel and hub assembly) could become separated from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect the hubs to determine if the locking tabs are properly bent. If the locking tabs are not bent, then dealers will inspect the appropriate components for premature wear and replace such components as required and properly secure the retaining nut by bending over the locking tab. Owner notification began september 17, 2003. Owners should contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 940-591-4201.
- The problem
- On certain trucks equipped with jost international jsk 37u series fifth wheels, a fatigue crack can develop in the bracket pin weld under certain loading conditions.
- The risk
- If left undetected or corrected it could lead to the separation of the fifth wheel top plate from its mounting structure, possibly resulting in a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the bracket pins and repair instructions free of charge. Peterbilt's owner notification began june 20, 2003. Kenworth's owner notification began june 12, 2003. 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 940-591-4201 or kenworth 425-828-5440.
What owners say
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3 complaints about the 2003 Peterbilt 379
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
I bought a 2003 peterbilt 379 truck with a split tank in november 2002. Since brand new the truck never ran right, even the oil samples performed on the truck showed something was not right. I took it back many times to the dealership only to be told nothing was wrong. The dealership sent me to the caterpillar dealership because it was a cat engine, they said nothing was wrong. After spending thousands of dollars in having my truck towed from place to place and buying parts to try and find the problem myself, I found out that the diesel fuel is mixing in the hydrolic oil. The whole truck is now contaminated and is beyond repair. The truck is unsafe to drive.
When engaged the vehicle ran for approximately 15-30 seconds then stalled. The consumer then had to manually utilize the "hand primer valve" in order to restart the vehicle. The dealer has advised that since diagnostic testing equipment did not showing any issues, problem did not exist. The motor was manufactured by catapult, serial no. 69Z70080. *Nlm
While traveling on highway saw grease leaking from underneath the vehicle. Left front wheel was leaking. Manufacturer was aware of problem.*Ak
Peterbilt 379: every year compared
All 379 years2003 Peterbilt 379 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Peterbilt 379 | 3 | 5 | F | |
| 2003 Peterbilt Peterbilt | 1 | 0 | A | 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 2003 Peterbilt 379
Does the 2003 Peterbilt 379 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2003 Peterbilt 379: service brakes, air (February 2007); arm (October 2003); slack adjusters (September 2003); axle hubs (August 2003) 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 2003 Peterbilt 379?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (1), fuel system (1), wheels & tires (1).
How many complaints has the 2003 Peterbilt 379 had?
3 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on August 15, 2002 and the latest on June 3, 2005. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2003 Peterbilt 379 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 16 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 2003 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