2007 Peterbilt 379: complaints, problems and recalls

I DRIVE A TRACTOR TRAILER FOR R.L. SMITH TRUCKING 169 ENTERPRISE DR. WENTZVILLE MO. I HAVE BEEN TELLING RICHARD & ERIC SMITH THAT I HAVE BEEN SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING IN MY TRUCK. THEY KEEP BLOWING ME OFF SAYING "YOU & YOUR SMELLS". FINALLY I TOOK IT TO KENWORTH OF JOPLIN MO & THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE GASKET ON THE MAIN PART OF THE EXHAUST BEHIND THE TWIN TURBOS. I CALLED RICHARD (1-3-09) & TOLD HIM WHAT THEY FOUND. RICHARD SAID HE IS NOT GETTING IT FIXED UNTIL I FINISH MY RUN & HE WILL LOOK AT IT WHEN I GET IN. KENWORTH OF JOPLIN SAID THEY C…

Owner-reported narrative. 220,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10253708 at NHTSA ↗

THE DRIVE SHAFT ON A 2007 PETERBILT MALFUNCTIONED AND DROPPED OUT OF THE TRACTOR, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TRACTOR AND TO 5 VEHICLES FOLLOWING WHO HIT THE SHAFT IN THE ROADWAY. THE PETERBILT HAS 267,009 MILES ON IT AND THE SHAFT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THIS WAS A DANA CORPORATION DRIVESHAFT AND THEY FIXED THE TRACTOR UNDER WARRANTY AND ARE HANDLING THE CLAIMS OF THE 5 VEHICLES WHO ENCOUNTERED THE DEFECTIVE SHAFT. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 267,009 miles reported. Look up ODI 10272884 at NHTSA ↗

AFTER GETTING 2007 PETERBILT WASHED I LEFT WASH BAY TO LET TRUCK DRY. I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. UPON STARTING THE ENGINE I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM RIGHT WHEEL WELL. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. HOOD STARTED TO BUCKLE FROM HEAT. I RAISED HOOD AND FIRE WAS LOCATED NEAR LEFT SIDE OF FIREWALL. I GOT FIRE EXTINGUISHER OUT AND PUT OUT FIRE. FUEL LINE HAD RUBBED A HOLE IN IT BY RUBBING AGAINST A LARGE POWER CABLE. FUEL LEAKED AND SPARK FROM POWER CABLE IGNITED FUEL. THE TRUCK IS A 2007 -379 WITH A CATERPILLAR ENGINE. THE TRUCK HAS 300,000. DEALERSHIP…

Owner-reported narrative. 300,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10404099 at NHTSA ↗

TRUCK WAS SITTING UNATTENDED AND WIRING HARNESS SHORTED OUT AND BURNED ALL THE WIRING UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER ASKING AROUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE ISN'T A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. IF A DRIVER IS ASLEEP IN THE SLEEPER AND THIS WERE TO HAPPEN THERE COULD BE A LOSS OF LIFE OR CRITICAL/SEVERE INJURY. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 629,063 miles reported. Look up ODI 10478763 at NHTSA ↗

2007 PETERBILT SEMI TRUCK. CONSUMER REQUESTS ASSISTANCE IN GETTING COMPANY TRUCK TESTED FOR EMISSION AND SEAL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HER HUSBAND WAS FOUND DECEASED ON MARCH 26, 2012. THE CONSUMER STRONGLY BELIEVED, HER HUSBAND WAS A VICTIM OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. THE DECEDENT WAS FOUND IN AN IDLING TRUCK WITH ALL THE VENTS CLOSED OFF. THE AUTOPSY REPORT DESCRIBED HER HUSBAND AS HAVING FACIAL PLETHORA A SYMPTOM FOUND IN A DECEASED PERSON WITH CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10493981 at NHTSA ↗

TRUCK WAS TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE 81 IN VA, 208MM. AS TRUCK WAS CHANGING LANES THE LEFT STEER TIRE BLEW OUT, CAUSING OVER $10,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO TRUCK AND LEAVING DRIVER STRANDED ON LEFT SHOULDER OF INTERSTATE. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED OR KILLED BUT TRUCK WAS IN DANGEROUS LOCATION. VA STATE POLICE WERE VERY HELPFUL AND THE CREW FROM PETRO TRUCK STOP CAME OUT QUICKLY AND R&R TIRE AND WHEEL TO GET TRUCK BACK TO TRUCK STOP. TRUCK WAS TRAVELING APPROX. 60 MPH AT TIME OF FAILURE, AVERAGE WEIGHT ON FRONT AXLE IS 12,000, TIRE PRESSURE…

Owner-reported narrative. 932,374 miles reported. Look up ODI 10669074 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2006-12-21 (December 21, 2006)

ON SOME PETERBILT TRUCKS, CERTAIN PARTS USED IN THE AIR SUSPENSIONS HAVE A HIGH COPPER CONTENT CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE.

Consequence: FAILURE COULD CAUSE ERRATIC VEHICLE HANDLING WHICH CAN CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, WHEN NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 17, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4196.

Reported: 2007-03-22 (March 22, 2007)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE AXLE HOUSINGS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH STEEL THAT WAS OUT OF SPECIFICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FATIGUE FAILURE OVER TIME.

Consequence: IF A FATIGUE FAILURE OCCURS AND IS LEFT UNATTENDED, THE AXLE MAY LOCK UP OR THE END OF THE AXLE COULD COME OFF, WHICH MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE AXLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 9, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440 AND PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4196.

Reported: 2007-04-10 (April 10, 2007)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, IF THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED ON PRIOR TO INITIAL START UP IN THE MANUFACTURING PLANT OR DURING THE FILTER REPLACEMENT IN THE FIELD, A SMALL FLAME WILL IGNITE WHEN THE FUEL IS ADDED TO PRIME THE SYSTEM.

Consequence: THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS FOR THE FLAME TO SPREAD RESULTING IN POSSIBLE EQUIPMENT DAMAGE OR PHYSICAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FILTER FOR THE DATE CODES OF THE SUSPECT FILTERS AND REPLACE THOSE HEATING ELEMENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 21, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440 AND PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201.

Reported: 2008-03-04 (March 4, 2008)

PACCAR IS RECALLING 130 MY 2005-2007 KENWORTH C500, T800, W900, AND PETERBILT MODELS 357 AND 379 TRACTOR TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH FABCO SLACK ADJUSTERS ON SISU AXLES. THE SLACK ADJUSTERS MAY FAIL AS A RESULT OF A FATIGUE CRACK RENDERING THE SLACK ADJUSTER INOPERATIVE. THIS COULD REDUCE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS.

Consequence: REDUCTION IN BRAKING CAPACITY COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE SLACK ADJUSTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 21, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440 AND PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4196.

Reported: 2008-03-10 (March 10, 2008)

PACCAR IS RECALLING 318 MY 2007-2009 KENWORTH T800, W900, AND PETERBILT 357, 365, 367, 378, 379, 384, 385, 386,388, AND 389 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH PREMIER TRAILER HITCH ASSEMBLIES. THE PINTLE HITCH ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED IN A MANNER RESULTING IN A REDUCTION OF FATIGUE STRENGTH OF THE PIVOT PINS.

Consequence: THIS REDUCTION OF FATIGUE STRENGTH COULD CAUSE THE PIVOT PIN TO CRACK AND EVENTUALLY BREAK, CAUSING THE TRAILER TO DETACH FROM THE TRUCK WHILE IN MOTION, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH THAT COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE PIVOT PIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440 OR PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4196.

Reported: 2009-01-16 (January 16, 2009)

PACCAR IS RECALLING 1098 KENWORTH MY 2008 T800, W900, MY 2008-2009 T2000 AND PETERBILT MY 2007-2009 379 AND 387 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH C15 CATERPILLAR DIESEL ENGINES. THE AFTERTREATMENT REGENERATION DEVICE (ARD) MAY DEVELOP A HOLE AND HEAT AND FLAME MAY ESCAPE DURING A REGENERATION OF THE DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER.

Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN A FIRE HAZARD.

Remedy: PACCAR IS WORKING WITH CATERPILLAR AND WILL INSPECT AND REMEDY THE ENGINES FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CATERPILLAR AT 1-800-447-4986, KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440 OR PETERBILT AT 940-591-4196.

Reported: 2010-12-13 (December 13, 2010)

PACCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 KENWORTH AND PETERBILT VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 2, 2006 THROUGH APRIL 30, 2007. THE BEARING SURFACES OF THE EXTENDED LUBE UNIVERSAL JOINT THAT ATTACHES THE INTER-AXLE DRIVELINE TO THE DRIVE AXLE MAY BECOME PREMATURELY WORN DUE TO BREAKDOWN OF LUBRICATION AND/OR EXCESSIVE HEAT. PREMATURELY WORN BEARING SURFACES MAY RESULT IN THE U-JOINT BECOMING LOOSE AND/OR BINDING. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN UNIVERSAL JOINT FAILURE, ALLOWING THE INTER-AXLE DRIVELINE TO DETACH FROM THE AXLE.

Consequence: DETACHMENT OF THE DRIVELINE FROM THE AXLE MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND BECOME DISABLED IN THE ROADWAY. ALSO, THE DRIVELINE COULD DROP FROM THE VEHICLE INTO THE ROADWAY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: PACCAR IS WORKING WITH ITS SUPPLIER TO REMEDY THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440 AND PETERBILT AT 940-591-4196.

Reported: 2013-11-25 (November 25, 2013)

Paccar Incorporated (Paccar) is recalling certain 2004-2013 Peterbilt 379, 357, 378, 367, 388, 365, 389, 385 and 386 trucks manufactured from April 3, 2003, through October 25, 2013 and equipped with tri-drive rear axles and a tag or pusher axle. The affected vehicles may be missing required information from the certification label, specifically the tag or pusher axle the gross axle weight rating, suitable tire and rim information, and recommended tire pressure information. Without this information, the vehicles do not comply with the requirements of 49 C.F.R. Part 567, "Certification."

Consequence: As a result, the axles may be overloaded or the wrong tires could be installed or the tires could be improperly inflated. All of these issues increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Peterbilt will notify owners and dealers will inspect and replace the certification labels missing the necessary information. The recall is expected to begin in January 2014. Customers can contact Peterbilt at 1-940-591-4000. Peterbilt's number for this campaign is 1113-F.

Reported: 2015-03-06 (March 6, 2015)

PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2006-2016 Peterbilt 587, 579, 567, 389, 388, 387, 385, 382, 379, 378, 367, 365 and 357 trucks manufactured July 25, 2005, to February 26, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with Tire and Rim Certification Labels that list a tire pressure below the actual correct amount. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 120, "Tire selection and rims and motor home/recreation vehicle trailer load carrying capacity information for motor vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds)."

Consequence: If the tires are underinflated due to the incorrect inflation pressure listed on the label, the truck may not be able to carry the maximum gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) load listed without experiencing tire failure which would increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Peterbilt will notify owners and mail them a corrected Tire and Rim certification label, free of charge. The recall began on June 19, 2015. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4000. PACCAR's number for this recall is 215-D.