- The problem
- Paccar Incorporated (Paccar) is recalling certain 2004-2013 Peterbilt 379, 357, 378, 367, 388, 365, 389, 385 and 386 trucks manufactured from April 3, 2003, through October 25, 2013 and equipped with tri-drive rear axles and a tag or pusher axle. The affected vehicles may be missing required information from the certification label, specifically the tag or pusher axle the gross axle weight rating, suitable tire and rim information, and recommended tire pressure information. Without this information, the vehicles do not comply with the requirements of 49 C.F.R. Part 567, "Certification."
- The risk
- As a result, the axles may be overloaded or the wrong tires could be installed or the tires could be improperly inflated. All of these issues increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Peterbilt will notify owners and dealers will inspect and replace the certification labels missing the necessary information. The recall is expected to begin in January 2014. Customers can contact Peterbilt at 1-940-591-4000. Peterbilt's number for this campaign is 1113-F.
Vehicle safety record
2005 Peterbilt 379 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 2005 Peterbilt 379 with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (2) and the fuel system (2). Those complaints describe 3 fires. It is covered by 6 recalls, the latest in November 2013 for the labels. For comparison, the 2004 has 1 and the 2006 has 2.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical 379 year, for its age
#233 most complained-about 2005 vehicle
- Complaints
- 7
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2005 Peterbilt 379 problems
Share of all 7 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2005 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
- Paccar is recalling 130 my 2005-2007 kenworth c500, t800, w900, and peterbilt models 357 and 379 tractor trailers equipped with fabco slack adjusters on sisu axles. The slack adjusters may fail as a result of a fatigue crack rendering the slack adjuster inoperative. This could reduce braking effectiveness.
- The risk
- Reduction in braking capacity could increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the slack adjusters free of charge. The recall began on march 21, 2008. Owners may contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 and peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.
- 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.
- The problem
- On certain trucks, when using a cummins electronic icon service tool 2.2, An unintended engine start will occur.
- The risk
- Given the purpose and functionality of this service tool, this series of events would only occur in a service facility and could pose a hazard if the truck were to unexpectedly move or the engine to start without any warning, possibly causing personal injury.
- The fix
- Cummins is conducting this recall (please see 06e063000) and will replace the icon service tool 2.2 With a new icon service tool 2.3 Free of charge. Owners may contact cummins at 1-800-343-7357 or peterbilt at 1-940-591-4201.
- The problem
- On certain tractors equipped with caterpillar diesel engines, the variable valve actuation oil line may wear against the sharp edge of the cylinder head if not positioned correctly.
- The risk
- The oil line may be cut on the cylinder head causing an oil leak and a possible fire.
- The fix
- Caterpillar, in conjunction with paccar, will be conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign free of charge. Owners may call caterpillar at 309-675-6496, kenworth at 425-828-5440, or peterbilt at 940-591-4201.
- The problem
- On certain heavy duty class 8 trucks, the suspension has transverse beam castings that may fracture under normal loads. If a casting breaks when the vehicle is traveling on a roadway there is the potential for pieces of the casting to become projectiles and the suspension's transverse beam may drop down low enough to contact the road surface.
- The risk
- This could cause sparks that could potentially ignite and cause a fire.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the defective transverse beam assemblies free of charge. The recall began on june 10, 2005, with letters being mailed to peterbilt owners; and on june 17, 2005, for kenworth owners. Owners may contact peterbilt at 940-591-4201 or kenworth at 425-828-5440.
What owners say
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7 complaints about the 2005 Peterbilt 379
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
2005 Peterbilt 379, unit 1 was traveling eastbound on the ohio turnpike in the middle lane when his truck caught fire from underneath the front hood near the engine. Unit 1 then drove to the south side of the shoulder where he put the fire out. *Bf oil leaked from underneath the hood. (Ohio traffic crash report # 10-0302-90)*jb
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 peterbilt conventional 379. The contact noticed that the fan hub was fractured. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified. Approximately two years earlier, the fan hub was replaced but became fractured again. The vehicle was at an authorized dealer being repaired. The current mileages was 490,000 and the failure mileage was 200,000.
2005 Peterbuilt 379, unit 2 had a blowout on the trailer. Debris from the failure struck unit 1 causing damage. *Bf (ohio traffic crash report # 10-0359-91)*jb updated 08/06/10 *bf
2005 Peterbilt 379 conventional, drive shaft broke from truck onto the roadway and another vehicle struck it. *Bf ohio traffic crash report # 10-0279-90 updated 05/03/10 *bf
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 peterbilt 379 tractor. While driving approximately 65 mph on normal road conditions. There was a strong odor of fuel coming from outside of the vehicle. The fuel pressure gauge displayed fluctuated readings. The vehicle was able to continue in operation. Suddenly, the driver pulled over to the side of the road and exited the vehicle. The vehicle was engulfed in massive flames. The fire and police department were called to the scene. The vehicle was towed and completely destroyed. The failure mileage was 350,000. The vin was unavailable. Updated 11/16/10. *Lj
2005 Peterbilt 379 caught fire. Consumer heard a hissing noise and pulled over and notice the tires were on fire. *Nj the driver noticed smoke coming from the drive axles. Ohio traffic report # 10-0196-89 updated 04/15/10 *bf
Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds, fuel leaked from the fuel tank. There were no obvious road hazards. The vehicle was seen by a dealer for inspection. The dealer was unable to duplicate the problem.
Peterbilt 379: every year compared
All 379 years2005 Peterbilt 379 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Peterbilt 379 | 7 | 6 | F | |
| 2005 Peterbilt 387 | 2 | 4 | D | Compare |
| 2005 Peterbilt 335 | 1 | 1 | B | Compare |
| 2005 Peterbilt 386 | 1 | 4 | C | 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 2005 Peterbilt 379
Does the 2005 Peterbilt 379 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2005 Peterbilt 379: labels (November 2013); slack adjusters (March 2008); service brakes, air (February 2007); equipment (July 2006) 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 2005 Peterbilt 379?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (2), fuel system (2), transmission & drivetrain (2).
How many complaints has the 2005 Peterbilt 379 had?
7 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 18, 2006 and the latest on June 29, 2011. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 3 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2005 Peterbilt 379 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 8 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 2005 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