Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2016 Peterbilt 579
NHTSA data on file today
The 2016 Peterbilt 579 has 11 NHTSA recall campaigns and 3 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #21V00N000 Methane Detection System May Fail NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V199000 Driver not Warned when ABS Offline/FMVSS 121, 136 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V130000 Underhood Battery Jumper Cable May Short Circuit NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V816000 Missing Reflex Reflectors on Markers/FMVSS 108 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V593000 Tie Rod may Loosen NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V471000 Spotlight Circuit may not be adequately Protected NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V639000 10-Speed Manual Transmission may Remain in Reverse NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V597000 Defective Engine Control Module may Cause Stall NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V456000 Alternator Cable May Chafe NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V270000 Alternator Charge Cable may Chafe NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V132000 Incorrect Tire Information on Label/FMVSS 110 NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 2 complaints
- Electrical System 1 complaint
- Steering 1 complaint
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $18,000–$25,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2016 Peterbilt 579 faces several recalls related to the electrical system, primarily affecting wiring, battery cables, and alternators. These issues can lead to malfunctions like losing power to essential systems. Complaints are minimal but focus on recurring electrical issues, signaling an average reliability and maintenance profile.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery cables | 50,000–80,000 miles | $300–$600 | common |
| Alternator | 70,000–100,000 miles | $500–$1,000 | occasional |
| Tie rod assembly | 90,000–120,000 miles | $400–$800 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil changes every 15,000 miles
- Tire rotations every 6 months
- Brake inspections every 20,000 miles
- Transmission fluid check yearly
- Battery testing annually
- Cooling system service bi-annually
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Intermittent electrical failures
- Rumblings during steering
- Delayed engine start
- Decreased braking efficiency
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2016 Peterbilt 579 at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.