2018 Peterbilt 579 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
14 distinct recall campaigns
36,375 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 7 complaints (57.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 42.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 42.9% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 14.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Firerelated | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
Electrical System: 4; Service Brakes: 3; Steering: 2; Engine: 1; Firerelated: 1; Suspension: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11202730 · 2019-04-21 (April 21, 2019)
BENDIX WINGMAN COLLISION MITIGATION SYSTEM, THIS SYSTEM AS AM TRYING TO BRAKE THE VEHICLE DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT WAS CLOSER THAN IT REALLY WAS AND LOCKED THE BRAKES AND STEERING, AT SUCH TIME THE DRIVER LOOSES CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY, THIS WAS THE FOURTH TIME IT DID THIS, THE THIRD TIME IT LOCKED THE BRAKES I WAS TRYING TO BRAKE WHILE A CAR WAS DRIVING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY, SECOND TIME I WAS TRYING TO PASS A CAR AND IT DETECTED THE CAR TO CLOSE AND LOCKED THE BRAKES, FIRST TIME BUMPER TO BUMPER IT WAS RAINING, ON A HIGHWAY …
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11202730 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11298970 · 2020-01-13 (January 13, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 PETERBILT 579. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING, THE REAR BRAKES AND TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE NEXT DAY THE RUNNING LIGHTS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FAILED, THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE ALSO FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MAIN ELECTRICAL HARNESS COMING OUT OF THE MAIN COMPUTER AND RUNNING THE ENTIRE SPAN UNDERNEATH THE CAB HAD LITTLE TO NO PROTECTIVE SHEATHING/ CORD WRAP/ ALUMINUM WRAP PROTECTING THE WIRES. THE HARNESS WAS ROUTED THROUGH A U-BOLT TYPE FLANG…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,375 miles reported. Look up ODI 11298970 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11184671 · 2019-03-06 (March 6, 2019)
THE MAIN ELECTRICAL HARNESS COMING OUT OF THE MAIN COMPUTER AND RUNNING THE ENTIRE SPAN UNDERNEATH THE CAB HAD LITTLE TO NO PROTECTIVE SHEATHING/CORD WRAP/ALUMINUM WRAP PROTECTING THE WIRES. THE HARNESS IS ROUTED THROUGH A U-BOLT TYPE FLANGE AS WELL AS HANGS NEAR SEVERAL METAL PARTS THAT, WHILE IN MOTION, RUB AGAINST THE WIRES CAUSING THEM TO FRAY. THIS IN TURN CAUSED SEVERAL ITEMS TO BEGIN TO SHORT OUT AND ALSO CAUSED NUMEROUS WIRES TO HEAT UP AND MELT. IT WAS DISCOVERED WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED AND THE SAME SIDE RUNNING LIGHTS C…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11184671 at NHTSA ↗