The 1998 Peterbilt 379 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 426 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SUSPENSION03V1250002003-04-01154 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.
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 AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITH A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD…
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM99V1810011999-07-09272 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINES AND EATON AUTOSHIFT TRANSMISSIONS. THE ENGINES CAN STALL BECAUSE OF SOFTWARE PROBLEMS.
Consequence
INCREASED STEERING EFFORT CAN OCCUR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL UPDATE THESE ENGINES WITH SOFTWARE CHANGES. CATERPILLAR IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THIS RECALL.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
2
2fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
1
1fires
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:INTERCONNECTING ASSEMBLY(WIRING)
1
1fires1injuries
SUSPENSION
1
SUSPENSION:FRONT
1
Total complaints6
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Our 1998 peterbilt 379 caught fire inside uss posco steel mill in pittsburg, california on thursday 5-16-2002. After looking at your web site I found a recall the nhtsa campaign id number: 00v029000 . Now our truck is in the process of being totaled out. How do we find out if this is what caused…”
“There was no accident involved with this complaint. This is regarding peterbilts recall #303-a I have a 1998 379 that was purchased 10/5/01 since then I have replaced the hub bearings on the steer axle once on the drivers side and three times on the passenger side. After the third time on the…”
“Main power line rubbed against the fuel line, causing and electric static and sparked a fire. Please provide further information. *ak”
“While driving the faulty fuel line routing and engine wiring sparked causing a fire without warning prior to recall notice 00v-029 (equipped with 1998 caterpillar 3406e engines). Nlm”
“I don't know where to start. We have been fighting with paccar for almost two years now. My husbands truck, listed on the included form, was almost brand new when it caught fire and burnt beyond repair. We have recently hired a laywer to help us in this case. That is why I don't want you to notify…”
“I've had the truck in the shop four times to fix the same problem an is still not fixed.at the time it was very dangrous the problum is a little bit fixed but , I went in there to buy a new truck an I got a truck that leans to right tires going bad I've put two set's of stearing tires on been in…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 Peterbilt 379 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.