1999 Peterbilt 379
Only 5 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 5 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1987 | 0 |
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 1 |
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1997 | 4 |
| 1998 | 6 |
| 1999 | 5 |
| 2000 | 12 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Only 5 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
1 of 5 total reports mentions: steering.
Show complaint excerpts
THERE IS AN INCH OF DEAD PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER HAS TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AN ICH ONE WAY TO GET IT TO START TURNING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THIS CAUSES NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED.
NHTSA ODI report, 19991221
1 of 5 total reports mentions: power train.
1 of 5 total reports mentions: fuel system, gasoline.
Show complaint excerpts
FAULT IN FUEL LINE EQUALIZING AND IF YOU FILL YOUR FUEL TANKS THE FUEL ENDS UP RETURNING INTO ONE TANK AND THE TANK OVER FLOWS.
NHTSA ODI report, 20030902
1 of 5 total reports mentions: fuel system, diesel.
Show complaint excerpts
I OWN A 1999 PETERBILT 379 WITH LESS THAN 700,000 MILES. TODAY I HAD TO REPLACE A FUEL TANK STRAP THAT BROKE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20030422
1 of 5 total reports mentions: engine and engine cooling.
SAFETY TIMELINE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED BY TRW. THE SUSPECT TIE RODS CONTAIN 24-DL MODEL BALL SOCKETS. CERTAIN OF THE TIE ROD BALL-SOCKET BEARINGS HAVE
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BALL SOCKETS AND/OR DRAG LINKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2001, TO KENWORTH OWNERS AND ON APRIL 25, 2001, TO PETERBILT OWNERS. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR
Campaign 01V044005 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. A CHANGE IN THE INTERNAL LINKAGE OF CERTAIN CAB DOORS HAS CREATED A POSSIBLE BINDING CONDITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE DOOR LINKAGE TO CORRECT THE POTENTIAL OF BINDING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DAT
Campaign 01V179000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW TIE ROD ENDS ON CERTAIN MERITOR AXLES. THE TIE ROD AND DRAG LINK BALL STUD ENDS CONTAIN BEARINGS THAT ARE BELOW THE SPECIFIED CASE DEPTH AND/
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL AFFECTED TIE RODS AND DRAG LINKS WITH DIFFERENT DESIGNED ENDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 24, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER
Campaign 01V140006 — check if this car was fixed
HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW TIE ROD ENDS ON CERTAIN ARVINMERITOR AND DANA AXLES. PETERBILT WILL RECALL 1,434 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ARVINMERITOR AXLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 11, 1999, TO
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL AFFECTED TIE RODS AND DRAG LINKS WITH DIFFERENT DESIGNED ENDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON
Campaign 02V037003 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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
Campaign 03V125000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINES AND EATON AUTOSHIFT TRANSMISSIONS. THE ENGINES CAN STALL BECAUSE OF SOFTWARE PROBLEMS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPDATE THESE ENGINES WITH SOFTWARE CHANGES. CATERPILLAR IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THIS RECALL.
Campaign 99V181001 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1999 Peterbilt 379 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for steering issues (1 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (1 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (1 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 99V181001 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01V044005 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01V179000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01V140006 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 02V037003 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V125000 (suspension) has been completed.
FAQ
Is the 1999 Peterbilt 379 reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Peterbilt 379?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Peterbilt 379 have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.