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Vehicle safety record

2006 Peterbilt 379 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2006 Peterbilt 379 with NHTSA, most often about the visibility & wipers (1) and the wheels & tires (1). It is covered by 7 recalls, the latest in March 2015 for the labels. For comparison, the 2005 has 7 and the 2007 has 6.

NHTSA data checked

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

#353 most complained-about 2006 vehicle

Complaints
2
Recalls
7
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Most common 2006 Peterbilt 379 problems

Share of all 2 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2006 Peterbilt 379 recalls 7

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

Equipment: labels

15V132000213,230 vehicles affected

The problem
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2006-2016 Peterbilt 587, 579, 567, 389, 388, 387, 385, 382, 379, 378, 367, 365 and 357 trucks manufactured July 25, 2005, to February 26, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with Tire and Rim Certification Labels that list a tire pressure below the actual correct amount. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 120, "Tire selection and rims and motor home/recreation vehicle trailer load carrying capacity information for motor vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds)."
The risk
If the tires are underinflated due to the incorrect inflation pressure listed on the label, the truck may not be able to carry the maximum gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) load listed without experiencing tire failure which would increase the risk of a crash.
The fix
Peterbilt will notify owners and mail them a corrected Tire and Rim certification label, free of charge. The recall began on June 19, 2015. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. PACCAR's number for this recall is 215-D.

Equipment: labels

13V593000561 vehicles affected

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.

Service brakes: slack adjusters

08V099000130 vehicles affected

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.

Service brakes

07V04400018 vehicles affected

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.

Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly

07V033000164 vehicles affected

The problem
On certain trucks, the fifth wheel king pin release air valve internal spool was installed backwards. The air option of the king pin release system would be inoperable. To correct this situation in production, the vehicle's air lines were mistakenly reversed rather than replacing the valve.
The risk
There is a possibility that the king pin can release without the driver's knowledge. When this occurs, the driver could drive away and the trailer could become disengaged.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the functionality of the king pin release system and suspect valve. If any vehicles have a non-conforming valve or incorrect plumbing, it will be replaced and re-plumbed. The recall began on february 28, 2007. Owners may contact peterbilt at 940-591-4196.

Power train: driveline

06V391000572 vehicles affected

The problem
On certain trucks equipped with chalmers rear suspensions, the adjustable torque rod end castings may be brittle. A brittle rod end casting may fracture without warning, causing the vehicles' rear axles to become misaligned.
The risk
This misalignment can cause the vehicle to lose directional stability at speeds that may result in a vehicle crash.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the vehicles to determine if they were manufactured with a suspect torque rod end. If a suspect torque rod end is found, the entire torque rod will be replaced. The recall began on october 9, 2006. Owners may contact peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196 or kenworth at 1-425-828-5440.

Engine and engine cooling

05V57000030,995 vehicles affected

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.

What owners say

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2 complaints about the 2006 Peterbilt 379

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Wheels & tires

Bridgestone 711 tire separated at 16,887 miles. *Ts the consumer had a brand new 379 peterbilt tractor trailer with original bridgestone tires. The consumer experienced 2 tread separations on 3 different occasions. When the tread separated from the truck, it destroyed the entire fender. Bridgestone told the consumer they would pay for half of the claim. *Jb

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 10174315
Visibility & wipers

WINDSHIELD WASHERS ONLY WORK SOME OF THE TIME. *NM

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 10153512

Peterbilt 379: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20100200-C
20090500-F
20080900-F
20076912Engine & coolingF
20062700Visibility & wipersF
20057603Engine & coolingF
20041400Engine & coolingF
20033500Engine & coolingF
20020200-C
All 379 years

2006 Peterbilt 379 vs rivals

VehicleComplaintsRecallsCrashesGrade
2006 Peterbilt 379270F
2006 Peterbilt 335120CCompare
2006 Peterbilt 378160DCompare

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 2006 Peterbilt 379

Does the 2006 Peterbilt 379 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2006 Peterbilt 379: labels (March 2015); labels (November 2013); slack adjusters (March 2008); service brakes, air (February 2007) 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 2006 Peterbilt 379?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the visibility & wipers (1), wheels & tires (1).

How many complaints has the 2006 Peterbilt 379 had?

2 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on March 23, 2006 and the latest on November 9, 2006. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2006 Peterbilt 379 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 12 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 2006 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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