NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 Peterbilt 379 Recalls & Complaints

The 2005 Peterbilt 379 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 7 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Peterbilt dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2005 Peterbilt 379. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2005 Peterbilt 379 owner complaints

Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Peterbilt 379, describing incidents dated April 18, 2006 to May 6, 2011.

Most-cited components

Engine 2 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 2 complaints
Power Train 2 complaints
Tires 1 complaint

Of the 7 complaints on file, 3 report a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10409964 · Filed June 29, 2011
2005 PETERBILT 379, UNIT 1 WAS TRAVELING EASTBOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE IN THE MIDDLE LANE WHEN HIS TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT HOOD NEAR THE ENGINE. UNIT 1 THEN DROVE TO THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE SHOULDER WHERE HE PUT THE FIRE OUT. *BF OIL LEAKED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. (OHIO TRAFFIC…
ODI #10383040 · Filed February 17, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PETERBILT CONVENTIONAL 379. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FAN HUB WAS FRACTURED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS EARLIER, THE FAN HUB WAS REPLACED BUT BECAME FRACTURED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BEING…
ODI #10345509 · Filed July 26, 2010
2005 PETERBUILT 379, UNIT 2 HAD A BLOWOUT ON THE TRAILER. DEBRIS FROM THE FAILURE STRUCK UNIT 1 CAUSING DAMAGE. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0359-91)*JB UPDATED 08/06/10 *BF

Read all 7 complaints

Certification Label Missing Information

NHTSA #13V593000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported November 25, 2013 · PACCAR Incorporated

Potentially affected: 561 vehicles

Repair completion: 18.18% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 1113-F · Owners notified February 10, 2014 · Vehicles built April 3, 2003 – October 25, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

BROKEN SLACK ADJUSTERS ON SISU AXLES/FABCO

NHTSA #08V099000 · Service Brakes, Air — Slack Adjusters · NHTSA notice

Reported March 4, 2008 · PACCAR INCORPORATED

Potentially affected: 130 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 08KW2 & 208C · Owners notified March 21, 2008 · Vehicles built January 27, 2005 – January 31, 2007 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

KENWORTH RECALL NO. 08KW2 AND PETERBILT RECALL NO. 208C.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.

BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE ASSEMBLY

NHTSA #07V044000 · Service Brakes, Air · NHTSA notice

Reported February 12, 2007 · PACCAR INCORPORATED

Potentially affected: 18 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 107B · Owners notified February 22, 2007 · Vehicles built December 17, 2003 – October 2, 2006 (per NHTSA)

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.

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.

ICON ELECTRONIC SERVICE TOOL/CUMMINS

NHTSA #06V251000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported July 13, 2006 · PACCAR INCORPORATED

Potentially affected: 40 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 706B · Vehicles built July 2, 2004 – May 17, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, WHEN USING A CUMMINS ELECTRONIC ICON SERVICE TOOL 2.2, AN UNINTENDED ENGINE START WILL OCCUR.

Safety consequence

GIVEN THE PURPOSE AND FUNCTIONALITY OF THIS SERVICE TOOL, THIS SERIES OF EVENTS WOULD ONLY OCCUR IN A SERVICE FACILITY AND COULD POSE A HAZARD IF THE TRUCK WERE TO UNEXPECTEDLY MOVE OR THE ENGINE TO START WITHOUT ANY WARNING, POSSIBLY CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

CUMMINS IS CONDUCTING THIS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 06E063000) AND WILL REPLACE THE ICON SERVICE TOOL 2.2 WITH A NEW ICON SERVICE TOOL 2.3 FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-343-7357 OR PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4201.

Notes

PETERBILT RECALL NO. 706B. 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.

VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE/OIL LEAK

NHTSA #05V570000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported December 22, 2005 · PACCAR INCORPORATED

Potentially affected: 30,995 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 05KW7 & 1205E · Owners notified April 17, 2006 · Vehicles built April 18, 2003 – September 9, 2005 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR DIESEL ENGINES, THE VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE MAY WEAR AGAINST THE SHARP EDGE OF THE CYLINDER HEAD IF NOT POSITIONED CORRECTLY.

Safety consequence

THE OIL LINE MAY BE CUT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD CAUSING AN OIL LEAK AND A POSSIBLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

CATERPILLAR, IN CONJUNCTION WITH PACCAR, WILL BE CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CALL CATERPILLAR AT 309-675-6496, KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440, OR PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201.

Notes

KENWORTH RECALL NO. 05KW7 AND PETERBILT RECALL NO. 1205E.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.

FRACTURE SUSPENSION BEAM/HOLLAND

NHTSA #05V189000 · Suspension · NHTSA notice

Reported April 28, 2005 · PACCAR INCORPORATED

Potentially affected: 1,026 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 05KW3 & 405-B · Owners notified June 10, 2005 · Vehicles built January 1, 2004 – December 31, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS, THE SUSPENSION HAS TRANSVERSE BEAM CASTINGS THAT MAY FRACTURE UNDER NORMAL LOADS. IF A CASTING BREAKS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING ON A ROADWAY THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR PIECES OF THE CASTING TO BECOME PROJECTILES AND THE SUSPENSION'S TRANSVERSE BEAM MAY DROP DOWN LOW ENOUGH TO CONTACT THE ROAD SURFACE.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE SPARKS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY IGNITE AND CAUSE A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TRANSVERSE BEAM ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 10, 2005, WITH LETTERS BEING MAILED TO PETERBILT OWNERS; AND ON JUNE 17, 2005, FOR KENWORTH OWNERS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201 OR KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440.

Notes

PETERBILT RECALL NO. 405-B AND KENWORTH RECALL NO. 05KW3.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.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2005 Peterbilt 379. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

7 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Peterbilt 379.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10409964

Fire

Incident: May 6, 2011 · Filed: June 29, 2011

2005 PETERBILT 379, UNIT 1 WAS TRAVELING EASTBOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE IN THE MIDDLE LANE WHEN HIS TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT HOOD NEAR THE ENGINE. UNIT 1 THEN DROVE TO THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE SHOULDER WHERE HE PUT THE FIRE OUT. *BF OIL LEAKED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0302-90)*JB

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10383040

Incident: February 1, 2009 · Filed: February 17, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PETERBILT CONVENTIONAL 379. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FAN HUB WAS FRACTURED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS EARLIER, THE FAN HUB WAS REPLACED BUT BECAME FRACTURED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BEING REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 490,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Tires

ODI #10345509

Incident: June 20, 2010 · Filed: July 26, 2010

2005 PETERBUILT 379, UNIT 2 HAD A BLOWOUT ON THE TRAILER. DEBRIS FROM THE FAILURE STRUCK UNIT 1 CAUSING DAMAGE. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0359-91)*JB UPDATED 08/06/10 *BF

Power Train

ODI #10321932

Incident: February 9, 2009 · Filed: March 22, 2010

2005 PETERBILT 379 CONVENTIONAL, DRIVE SHAFT BROKE FROM TRUCK ONTO THE ROADWAY AND ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK IT. *BF OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0279-90 UPDATED 05/03/10 *BF

Fuel System, Diesel

ODI #10303048

Fire

Incident: September 9, 2007 · Filed: January 28, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PETERBILT 379 TRACTOR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL COMING FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL PRESSURE GAUGE DISPLAYED FLUCTUATED READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE IN OPERATION. SUDDENLY, THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN MASSIVE FLAMES. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 350,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ

Power Train

ODI #10231773

Fire

Incident: May 16, 2008 · Filed: June 17, 2008

2005 PETERBILT 379 CAUGHT FIRE. CONSUMER HEARD A HISSING NOISE AND PULLED OVER AND NOTICE THE TIRES WERE ON FIRE. *NJ THE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE DRIVE AXLES. OHIO TRAFFIC REPORT # 10-0196-89 UPDATED 04/15/10 *BF

Fuel System, Diesel

ODI #10155615

Incident: April 18, 2006 · Filed: April 18, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, FUEL LEAKED FROM THE FUEL TANK. THERE WERE NO OBVIOUS ROAD HAZARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

Other Peterbilt 379 model years

Check your 2005 Peterbilt 379 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Peterbilt 379 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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