NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Peterbilt 379

The 2003 Peterbilt 379 has 5 NHTSA recalls and 3 owner complaints on record — every open recall is repaired free at an authorized Peterbilt dealer.

Complete safety data for the 2003 Peterbilt 379. Data pulled live from api.nhtsa.gov.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

NHTSA #07V044000

Reported February 12, 2007 · PACCAR INCORPORATED

Defect description

ON CERTAIN NON-ABS EQUIPPED TRUCKS, AN AIR HOSE BETWEEN THE TRACTOR PROTECTION VALVE AND THE BACK OF THE CAB BULKHEAD WAS OMITTED.

Safety consequence

THE ABSENCE OF THIS AIR HOSE COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE DRIVE AXLE BRAKE PERFORMANCE WHILE A TRAILER IS BEING PULLED, RESULTING IN LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Free manufacturer remedy

PETERBILT WILL INSPECT THE AIR HOSE PLUMBING OF THE DRIVE AXLE BRAKE SYSTEM AND MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4196.

Notes

PETERBILT RECALL NO. 107B. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM

NHTSA #03V410000

Reported October 20, 2003 · PACCAR INCORPORATED

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DANA SPICER INTEGRAL KNUCKLE AND STEER ARM ASSEMBLIES, THE STEER AXLE ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE A LONGITUDINAL CRACK IN THE STEER ARM.

Safety consequence

IF THE CRACK SHOULD PROPAGATE OVER TIME, THE BALL COULD BECOME LOOSE RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Free manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE KNUCKLE AND STEER ARM ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440 OR PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4201.

Notes

KENWORTH RECALL NO. 03KWA\PETERBILT RECALL NO. 1003G. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SLACK ADJUSTERS

NHTSA #03V343000

Reported September 15, 2003 · PACCAR INCORPORATED

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR 15X4 FRONT BRAKES AND DANA E1200 STEER AXLE, THE LEFT BRAKE CANNOT FULLY APPLY OR IT WOULD BECOME STUCK AND NOT RELEASE.

Safety consequence

IF THE LEFT BRAKE CANNOT FULLY BE APPLIED OR IF IT WERE TO BECOME STUCK AND NOT RELEASE, THIS COULD AFFECT THE VEHILCE STOPPING DISTANCE AND STABILITY.

Free manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE "UNHANDED" AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTER WITH A "HANDED" AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTER THAT HAS A SIDE MOUNTED PAWL NUT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 6, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE FREMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4201.

Notes

PETERBILT RECALL NO. 903-F. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS

NHTSA #03V288000

Reported August 6, 2003 · PACCAR INCORPORATED

Defect description

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, THE LOCKING TAB THAT LOCKS THE OUTER SPINDLE NUT ONTO THE SPINDLE WAS NOT ENGAGED OR PROPERLY BENT OVER.

Safety consequence

FAILURE TO PROPERLY ENGAGE THE LOCKING FEATURE INTO THE NUT COULD CAUSE THE NUT TO LOOSEN WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE WHEEL BEARING TO OVER HEAT AND FAIL IF UNDETECTED. IF THE LOOSE NUT IS NOT DETECTED, THE OUTER END (TIRE, WHEEL AND HUB ASSEMBLY) COULD BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Free manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HUBS TO DETERMINE IF THE LOCKING TABS ARE PROPERLY BENT. IF THE LOCKING TABS ARE NOT BENT, THEN DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE APPROPRIATE COMPONENTS FOR PREMATURE WEAR AND REPLACE SUCH COMPONENTS AS REQUIRED AND PROPERLY SECURE THE RETAINING NUT BY BENDING OVER THE LOCKING TAB. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 17, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440 OR PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201.

Notes

KENWORTH RECALL NO. 03KW8/PETERBILT RECALL NO. 803-D. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

TRAILER HITCHES:FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY

NHTSA #03V168000

Reported May 5, 2003 · PACCAR INCORPORATED

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH JOST INTERNATIONAL JSK 37U SERIES FIFTH WHEELS, A FATIGUE CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE BRACKET PIN WELD UNDER CERTAIN LOADING CONDITIONS.

Safety consequence

IF LEFT UNDETECTED OR CORRECTED IT COULD LEAD TO THE SEPARATION OF THE FIFTH WHEEL TOP PLATE FROM ITS MOUNTING STRUCTURE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Free manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRACKET PINS AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. PETERBILT'S OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 20, 2003. KENWORTH'S OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 12, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201 OR KENWORTH 425-828-5440.

Notes

PETERBILT RECALL NO. 403-C/KENWORTH RECALL NO. 03KW4. ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Other Peterbilt 379 model years

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