Complaints over time
Complaints about the 2003 Peterbilt 379 peaked in 2002, with 1 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Model year
2003 Peterbilt 379
Truck, Other, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Aug 15, 2002 to Jun 3, 2005.
Recall campaigns covering this model year51,931 vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints31.5 times the median 2003 truck
Severity index0.02003 trucks average 7.7
First 24 months1Complaints in its first two years
Components
33% of complaints about the 2003 Peterbilt 379 name engine and cooling
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls
5 recall campaigns cover the 2003 Peterbilt 379
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07V-044 | Feb 12, 2007 | On certain non-abs equipped trucks, an air hose between the tractor protection valve and the back of the cab bulkhead was omitted | Brakes | 18 | Repair or modification |
| 03V-410 | Oct 20, 2003 | On certain trucks equipped with dana spicer integral knuckle and steer arm assemblies, the steer axle assemblies may have a longitudinal crack in… | Steering | 1,187 | Part replacement |
| 03V-343 | Sep 15, 2003 | 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… | Brakes | 111 | Part replacement |
| 03V-288 | Aug 6, 2003 | On certain heavy duty trucks, the locking tab that locks the outer spindle nut onto the spindle was not engaged or properly bent over | Powertrain | 132 | Part replacement |
| 03V-168 | May 5, 2003 | On certain trucks equipped with jost international jsk 37u series fifth wheels, a fatigue crack can develop in the bracket pin weld under certain… | Trailer hitches | 483 | Part replacement |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 2003 Peterbilt 379
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.
3 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed Jun 3, 2005Failure Jan 20, 2004Analomink, PAFuel system, Tank assembly
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.
NHTSA complaint 10124044 - Filed Apr 29, 2003Forest, VAEngine
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
NHTSA complaint 10017732 - Filed Aug 15, 2002Failure Aug 9, 2002Escanaba, MILugs/nuts/bolts/studs
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY SAW GREASE LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS LEAKING. MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA complaint 8016453
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
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." - 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. - 32-016 Mar 17, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Information Only: Proper jump-starting voltage will eliminate high voltage related issues and equipment damage. - 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 - 604 Apr 7, 2004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
AIR DISC BRAKES FOR MODEL 379-FAMILY VEHICLES. PETERBILT. *TT - 803 Sep 10, 2003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
THERE ARE OCCASIONS WHEN A LEAK MAY DEVELOP IN A PRESSURE HOSE WITH A CRIMP-STYLE END FITTING AT THE POWER STEERING PUMP CONNECTION. THIS MAY BE DUE TO THE ORIENTATION AND LENGTH OF THE OE PRESSURE HOSE. A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT THAT REORIENTS THE POWER STEE… - 20 Jul 31, 2003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
REPAIR OF MIRROR BRACKET CAB DOOR CORROSION. MODEL 379-FAMILY VEHICLES. YEAR UNKNOWN. *TT
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.