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.
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.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 22.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 14.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 14.6% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 9.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.4% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 11 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Steering | 5 |
| Suspension | 4 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 5 |
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 ↗
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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