2003 Peterbilt 379
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Peterbilt › 379 › 2003
These records cover every 2003 Peterbilt 379. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 2003 Peterbilt 379. Newest first.
On certain non-abs equipped trucks, an air hose between the tractor protection valve and the back of the cab bulkhead was omitted.
Risk and remedy
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.
Remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
Remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
Remedy
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.
On certain heavy duty trucks, the locking tab that locks the outer spindle nut onto the spindle was not engaged or properly bent over.
Risk and remedy
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.
Remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
Remedy
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.
Owner complaints
3 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Fuel system, diesel › Storage › 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…
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.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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
- Wheels › Lugs/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
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10188550Information Only Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate. Washer pumps may fail to spray due to a clogged filter.
- 10177021Information 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.
- 10176033Information only: Hendrickson Softek front axle maintenance intervals and requirements.
- 10173205Information Only: Proper jump-starting voltage will eliminate high voltage related issues and equipment damage.
- 10168703Information Only: This bulletin provides guidance for repairing an air-conditioning system after internal failure of the A/C compressor.
- 10162392Information Only - Quick Reference Guide for Electric harness damage repairs.
- 10159674Information Only: Proper instructions for closure of power distribution box cover to prevent corrosion.
- 10154733Information: 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.
- 10143649Information - Recommended Practices for Updating ESA Software
- 10007008Air disc brakes for model 379-family vehicles. Peterbilt.
- 10004654There 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 steering pump and changes the lengths of pressure as well as suction hoses was implemented in production on july 28 2003. This bulletin provides information to make this improvement on earlier vehicles that experience the leak described.
- 10003463Repair of mirror bracket cab door corrosion. Model 379-family vehicles. Year unknown.
Every Peterbilt 379 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.