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U.S. public vehicle records

Peterbilt 579 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

41 owner complaints analyzed

60 distinct recall campaigns

120,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2006 to 2027 model years. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 41 complaints (26.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior922.0%
Transmission and shifting614.6%
Electrical and battery issues614.6%
Steering behavior49.8%
Fuel system concerns12.4%

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.

Power Train
11
Electrical System
10
Service Brakes
7
Steering
5
Suspension
4
Tires
3
Engine
2
Tires:Tread/Belt
2
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Power Train11
Electrical System10
Service Brakes7
Steering5
Suspension4
Tires3
Engine2
Tires:Tread/Belt2

Power Train: 11; Electrical System: 10; Service Brakes: 7; Steering: 5; Suspension: 4; Tires: 3; Engine: 2; Tires:Tread/Belt: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
3
25,000 to 49,999
4
50,000 to 74,999
3
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
10
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0003
25,000 to 49,9994
50,000 to 74,9993
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above10

Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 10

150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 21 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.

2013
1
2015
3
2016
3
2017
1
2019
4
2020
2
2021
4
2022
1
2023
5
2024
4
2025
8
2026
5
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20131
20153
20163
20171
20194
20202
20214
20221
20235
20244
20258
20265

2013: 1; 2015: 3; 2016: 3; 2017: 1; 2019: 4; 2020: 2; 2021: 4; 2022: 1; 2023: 5; 2024: 4; 2025: 8; 2026: 5

Pattern summary

Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 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 10683234 · 2015-02-13 (February 13, 2015)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 PETERBILT CONVENTIONAL 579 TRACTOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT FAILURE WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PERTAINING TO THE GAUGES, SENSORS, AND THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE MIRROR WAS ALSO VIBRATING AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKES WHILE THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MORE THAN THREE TIMES…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10683234 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10689686 · 2015-02-20 (February 20, 2015)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 PETERBILT 579. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXLE WAS ON FIRE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND BOTH FRONT AXLES CAUG…

Owner-reported narrative. 43,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10689686 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10839909 · 2016-03-04 (March 4, 2016)

LEAKING FITTINGS ON TRANSMISSION COOLER CAUSED FLUID TO RUN OUT AND SEIZED TRANSMISSION, WHILE DRIVER WAS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY, DUE TO BAD INSTALLATION AT FACTORY. UPON INSPECTION FOUND 3 OUT OF 5 TRUCKS WITH SAME PROBLEM. WARRANTY COVERAGE WAS DENIED BY EATON AND PETERBILT CLAIMING DRIVER ERROR.

Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10839909 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11034567 · 2017-10-19 (October 19, 2017)

DRIVER WAS DRIVING AND TRUCK JUST SHUT OFF, FORCING HIM TO SIDE OF ROAD, HAD TO GET TOWED DUE TO FACT THAT COULD NOT REPAIR. AT DEALER I AM TOLD FUEL PUMP LEAKED INTO ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND ECM. CAUSING TRUCK TO SHUT DOWN AND NOT START.

Owner-reported narrative. 273,465 miles reported. Look up ODI 11034567 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10883505 · 2016-07-08 (July 8, 2016)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 PETERBILT 579. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE EMITTED AND THE STEERING COLUMN RELEASED INDEPENDENTLY ONTO THE CONTACT'S LAP. THE LOCKING MECHANISM WAS ADJUSTED AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS PLACED BACK INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP OR UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UP…

Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10883505 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11720875 · 2026-02-27 (February 27, 2026)

Unit 1 towing Unit 2 was traveling eastbound in the inside lane of IH-20. Unit 1 suffered a tire failure resulting in a blowout of the front left steering tire. Unit 1 towing Unit 2 steered towards the center median striking the guardrail and the concrete overpass barrier. Unit 1 and towed Unit 2 then rolled one-quarter roll right-over-left. Unit 1 and Unit 2 became engulfed in flames. Unit 1 came to rest in the center median, facing east, resting on the left/ driver side, with significant burn damage and not drivable. Unit 2 remained coupled t…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11720875 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

2011
4
2012
6
2013
13
2014
12
2015
9
2016
11
2017
13
2018
14
2019
8
2020
6
2021
9
2022
15
2023
11
2024
7
2025
7
2026
2
2027
3
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
20114
20126
201313
201412
20159
201611
201713
201814
20198
20206
20219
202215
202311
20247
20257
20262
20273

2011: 4; 2012: 6; 2013: 13; 2014: 12; 2015: 9; 2016: 11; 2017: 13; 2018: 14; 2019: 8; 2020: 6; 2021: 9; 2022: 15; 2023: 11; 2024: 7; 2025: 7; 2026: 2; 2027: 3

Year-by-year records

Peterbilt 579 model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
200601Not available
2007010
200802+1
2009020
201003+1
201104+1
201206+2
2013113+7
2014212-1
201549-3
2016311+2
2017313+2
2018714+1
201928-6
202046-2
202119+3
2022715+6
2023311-4
202437-4
2025070
202612-5
202703+1