The 2001 Peterbilt 379 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 56,711 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension. 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…
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR02V0180012002-01-152,302 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR WABCO PNEUMATIC ANITLOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) VALVE PACKAGES, THE ASSEMBLY BOLTS ON THESE VALVE PACKAGES WERE NOT TIGHTENED CORRECTLY.
Consequence
BOLTS TORQUED BELOW SPECIFICATION WILL NOT RELIABLY PREVENT AIR LEAKAGE AT THE AFFECTED ABS VALVE PACKAGE INTERFACE JOINTS ONCE THE COMPONENT BEGINS NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. IF AIR LEAKS DEVELOP AT ANY OF THE ABS VALVE PACKAGE INTERFACE JOINTS, BRAKE SYSTEM PRESSURE REDUCTIONS COULD OCCUR DURING BRAKING OR NORMAL…
Remedy
DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE FASTENERS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 15, 2002. 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 KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440 OR PETERBILT AT…
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. A CHANGE IN THE INTERNAL LINKAGE OF CERTAIN CAB DOORS HAS CREATED A POSSIBLE BINDING CONDITION.
Consequence
IF THE LINKAGE BINDS, FULL ENGAGEMENT OF THE DOOR LATCH MAY NOT OCCUR, ALLOWING THE DOOR TO OPEN INADVERTENTLY.
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 DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4000.
STEERING01V0660002001-03-071,755 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE BOLTS USED TO SECURE THE STEERING SHAFT CAN FAIL.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 2, 2001. 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 1-940-591-4000.
Complaints by component
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
1
1injuries
EQUIPMENT
1
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
1
1injuries
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
1
SUSPENSION
1
SUSPENSION:FRONT
1
Total complaints9
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Vehicle would wander when driving 60-65 mph, vehicle been in dealer shop on two occasions, and roblem still occurring. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak”
“Vehicle has a toxic chemicals coming out of air ducts. Consumer believed it was coming out of air conditioner evaporator. It burned consumer's eyes. Consumer will contact the manufacturer. *ak”
“Vehicle has a toxic chemicals coming out of air ducts. Consumer believed it was coming out of air conditioner evaporator. It burned consumer's eyes. Consumer will contact the manufacturer. *ak”
“The vehicle exhibits strong vibration, the dealer has balanced the driveshaft, delay spring, replaced the front shock absorbers, front bearings, installed aluminum front hubs, aligned the front wheels, replaced engine injector coils, replaced one defective wheel, replaced muffler seal, mirror door…”
“Vehicle vibrates excessively at high speeds of 55 to 65mph. Dealer has seen vehicle 2 times, and problem still exists. *ak”
“The door is out of alignmet allowing cold air to enter the cab while driving and making it difficult to open and close the door, the dealer has has attempted to fix the problem on several occasions but with no success. Nlm”
“The consumer special ordered the vehicle to be installed with four air tanks but the manufacturer only installed three, the consumer discovered this when the drivers side door and window would not open since they are air operated. Nlm”
“Front wheel bearings have required tightening numerous times. The left and right side bearings have been replaced due to spindles. *jg”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2001 Peterbilt 379 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.