1998 Peterbilt 379: complaints, problems and recalls

THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED WITH THIS COMPLAINT. THIS IS REGARDING PETERBILTS RECALL #303-A I HAVE A 1998 379 THAT WAS PURCHASED 10/5/01 SINCE THEN I HAVE REPLACED THE HUB BEARINGS ON THE STEER AXLE ONCE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THREE TIMES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. AFTER THE THIRD TIME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE I REPLACED EVERYTHING ( SPINDLE,HUB,AND DRUM ) ACCORDING TO PETERBILT MY TRUCK DOES NOT FALL INTO THEIR RECALL. I BELIEVE IT DOES AND IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT BECAUSE AFTER REPLACING THE FOREMENTIONED PARTS IT SEEMS TO HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLE…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10312930 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING THE FAULTY FUEL LINE ROUTING AND ENGINE WIRING SPARKED CAUSING A FIRE WITHOUT WARNING PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 00V-029 (EQUIPPED WITH 1998 CATERPILLAR 3406E ENGINES). NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 560686 at NHTSA ↗

I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START. WE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING WITH PACCAR FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS NOW. MY HUSBANDS TRUCK, LISTED ON THE INCLUDED FORM, WAS ALMOST BRAND NEW WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNT BEYOND REPAIR. WE HAVE RECENTLY HIRED A LAYWER TO HELP US IN THIS CASE. THAT IS WHY I DON'T WANT YOU TO NOTIFY PETERBILT . OUR INSURANCE COMPANY HIRED A FIRE INVESTIGATOR AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY BRAKE SPRING. WE ARE STILL TRYING TO GET THE REPORT FROM OUR INSURANCE COMPANY. THEY HAVE THE REPORT AND THEY WON'T RELEASE A COPY…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 720559 at NHTSA ↗

I'VE HAD THE TRUCK IN THE SHOP FOUR TIMES TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM AN IS STILL NOT FIXED.AT THE TIME IT WAS VERY DANGROUS THE PROBLUM IS A LITTLE BIT FIXED BUT , I WENT IN THERE TO BUY A NEW TRUCK AN I GOT A TRUCK THAT LEANS TO RIGHT TIRES GOING BAD I'VE PUT TWO SET'S OF STEARING TIRES ON BEEN IN FRONT END SHOP ABOUT SEVEN TIMES TIRES STILL GOING BAD , AN ALL SORT'S OF OTHER THING'S AS WELL. AN THIS IS A NEW 98.000.00 DOLLAR TRUCK I BOUGHT , AN I CAN'T FIND ANYBODY TO HELP ME. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 720576 at NHTSA ↗

OUR 1998 PETERBILT 379 CAUGHT FIRE INSIDE USS POSCO STEEL MILL IN PITTSBURG, CALIFORNIA ON THURSDAY 5-16-2002. AFTER LOOKING AT YOUR WEB SITE I FOUND A RECALL THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V029000 . NOW OUR TRUCK IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TOTALED OUT. HOW DO WE FIND OUT IF THIS IS WHAT CAUSED FIRE. ON OUR ESTIMATE DAMAGES WE HAVE LOSS OF THE OF OUR TRUCK, OUR LIVELY HOOD, AND ANY CLAIMS WHICH USS POSCO MAY MAKE, FOR HAVING TO BE SHUT DOWN. MY HUSBAND IS DEFINITELY TRAMATIZED, HE HAS NOT SLEPT WELL SINCE THIS OCCURED AND WHEN HE DOES HE HAS D…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 762038 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2003-04-01 (April 1, 2003)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRUCK HUB UNITS MANUFACTURED BY SKF EXCLUSIVELY FOR USE ON ARVINMERITOR'S FF98X SERIES NON-DRIVE STEER AXLES, THE HUB UNIT BEARINGS CAN WEAR PREMATURELY.

Consequence: SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FRONT AXLE HUBS. NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 16, 2003. THE MANUFACTURER HAS ADVISED US THAT PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITH A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201 OR KENWORTH 425-828-5440.

Reported: 1999-07-09 (July 9, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINES AND EATON AUTOSHIFT TRANSMISSIONS. THE ENGINES CAN STALL BECAUSE OF SOFTWARE PROBLEMS.

Consequence: INCREASED STEERING EFFORT CAN OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPDATE THESE ENGINES WITH SOFTWARE CHANGES. CATERPILLAR IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THIS RECALL.