AutoStatsIQ
Data through Oct 2026
Model year

2004 Peterbilt 378

Heavy truck, diesel, 6x4, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Mar 10, 2010 to Mar 10, 2010.

Recalls (3)Complaints (1)Investigations (0)Bulletins (13)
Recall campaigns covering this model year332k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints1Close to the median 2004 heavy truck
Severity index0.02004 heavy trucks average 29.4
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 2004 Peterbilt 378 peaked in 2010, with 1 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

00.250.50.7512010120122014201620182020202220242026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

100% of complaints about the 2004 Peterbilt 378 name engine and cooling

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Engine and cooling
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

3 recall campaigns cover the 2004 Peterbilt 378

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Recall campaigns for the 2004 Peterbilt 378
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
13V-593Nov 25, 2013Affected vehicles may be missing required information from the certification label, specifically the tag or pusher axle the gross axle weight…Equipment561Part replacement
07V-044Feb 12, 2007On certain non-abs equipped trucks, an air hose between the tractor protection valve and the back of the cab bulkhead was omittedBrakes18Repair or modification
05V-570Dec 22, 2005On certain tractors equipped with caterpillar diesel engines, the variable valve actuation oil line may wear against the sharp edge of the…Engine and cooling30,995Not stated
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Look up a VIN at NHTSA
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 2004 Peterbilt 378

The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

1 complaint on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Mar 10, 2010Failure Dec 14, 2009633,000 milesSAN Pierre, INCooling system

    INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) LOW ENGINE HEAT AND COOLANT LEAKING FROM OIL COOLER, STARTED ON COLD DAY BACK DECEMBER 14TH 2009, TOOK TRUCK TO DEALERSHIP. WANTED OIL COOLER RESEALED AND TWO THERMOSTATS REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS THIRD PARTY WARRANTY. DEALER ASKED PERMISSION TO TEAR DOWN, WE DENIED ACTION, SAID TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM ACCORDING TO WARRANTY PROTOCOL. DEALER COMPLETELY DISMANTLES MOTOR INCORRECTLY CAUSING IRREPARABLE DAMAGE. NOW DEALER IS HOLDING VEHICLE HOSTAGE SINCE WE WILL NOT SIGN RELEASE OF LAW SUIT FOR DAMAGE. DEALER NEVER TOLD US THEY WERE DOING THIS. AS AN ALTERER OF MANUFACTURED VEHICLES MY SELF, I DO REMEMBER THAT A REPAIR SHOP HAS NO AUTHORITY TO PLACE A VEHICLE IN AN UNSAFE OR INOPERABLE CONDITION. AFTER THE FACT OF THIS, I HAVE SEEN VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN MODIFIED FROM THE ORIGINAL DESIGN, THAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY DONE OR EVEN HAVE AN ALTERERS DECAL SHOWING CHANGES TO SUSPENSION, DRILLING AND CUTTING OF FRAMES AND SO ON. I AM WRITING YOU ON THIS FOR A POSSIBLE INVESTIGATION OF THE DEALER. I HAVE ALSO SINCE FOUND THIS IS A NORMAL PRACTICE WITH THIS DEALER. I HAVE CONTACTED THE BBB AND THEY HAVE AN F RATING FOR THIS COMPANY ON COMPLAINTS. THE DEALER NEVER RESPONDS. I DO HAVE AN ATTORNEY INVOLVED, AND WOULD ALSO LIKE SOME ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER IN MY PERSONAL OPINION, I FEEL THIS COMPANY COULD BE PLACING PEOPLE IN HARMS WAY FOR FAULTY REPAIRS, AND MODIFICATIONS. [XXX] *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10318340
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year

Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
All investigations
Service bulletins

13 manufacturer communications cover this model year

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.

  • P001 Sep 11, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    "Kenworth: Dealers should check the chassis list and SIR weekly for VIN changes. 2 chassis added to the chassis list. Peterbilt: Dealers should check the chassis list and SIR weekly for VIN changes. 10 chassis added to the chassis list."
  • 1210F Oct 1, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    1210F - SPL 170XL Interaxle Driveline Warranty section has been updated with descriptions of Recommended Repairs and an updated PRWS Claim Coding table has been added.
  • 02-160 Feb 10, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Information Only – Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate. Washer pumps may fail to spray due to a clogged filter.
  • 32-015 Jun 8, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Information Only: This bulletin provides dealers with a battery warranty quick reference guide to ensure the appropriate tests for battery warranty are performed in order to prevent battery warranty claims filed with incorrect or incomplete information.
  • 11-001 May 29, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Information only: Hendrickson Softek front axle maintenance intervals and requirements.
  • 34-085 Mar 3, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Information Only – Vehicles may have the connector seals on the wheel speed sensor incorrectly installed, which may lead to water intrusion and corrosion in some vehicles.
  • 32-016 Mar 17, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Information Only: Proper jump-starting voltage will eliminate high voltage related issues and equipment damage.
  • 34-085 Feb 28, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Information Only: Vehicles may have the connector seal on the wheel speed sensor incorrectly installed, which may lead to sensor corrosion.
  • 01-075 Nov 6, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Information Only: This bulletin provides guidance for repairing an air-conditioning system after internal failure of the A/C compressor.
  • 34-066 Jun 10, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Information Only - Quick Reference Guide for Electric harness damage repairs.
  • 34-077 Apr 8, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Information Only: Proper instructions for closure of power distribution box cover to prevent corrosion.
  • 13-049 Jan 4, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Information: Bendix ACOM Software version 6.16.5.0 for diagnostics may introduce an unrecoverable error. Notice to dealers to replace this version with older software version until Bendix introduces new version.
  • 03-064 Jul 23, 2018 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Information - Recommended Practices for Updating ESA Software
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.
About service bulletins