I bought a 2003 peterbilt 379 truck with a split tank in november 2002. Since brand new the truck never ran right, even the oil samples performed on the truck showed something was not right. I took it back many times to the dealership only to be told nothing was wrong. The dealership sent me to the caterpillar dealership because it was a cat engine, they said nothing was wrong. After spending thousands of dollars in having my truck towed from place to place and buying parts to try and find the problem myself, I found out that the diesel fuel is mixing in the hydrolic oil. The whole truck is now contaminated and is beyond repair. The truck is unsafe to drive.
The worst 2003 Peterbilt 379 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
- Wheels1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
- Wheels1
Recalls 5
Service brakes, air
- What is wrong
- On certain non-ABS equipped trucks, an air hose between the tractor protection valve and the back of the cab bulkhead was omitted.
- Risk
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 07V044000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks equipped with dana spicer integral knuckle and steer arm assemblies, the steer axle assemblies may have a longitudinal crack in the steer arm.
- Risk
- If the crack should propagate over time, the ball could become loose resulting in a loss of steering, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the knuckle and steer arm assemblies. Owner notification began january 5, 2004. Owners should contact kenworth at 1‑425‑828‑5440 or peterbilt at 1‑940‑591‑4201.
Recall number 03V410000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: slack adjusters
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks equipped with meritor 15x4 front brakes and dana e1200 steer axle, the left brake cannot fully apply or it would become stuck and not release.
- Risk
- If the left brake cannot fully be applied or if it were to become stuck and not release, this could affect the vehilce stopping distance and stability.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the "unhanded" automatic slack adjuster with a "handed" automatic slack adjuster that has a side mounted pawl nut. Owner notification began january 6, 2004. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free fremedy within a reasonable time should contact peterbilt at 1‑940‑591‑4201.
Recall number 03V343000 · Recall details
Power train: axle hubs
- What is wrong
- On certain heavy duty trucks, the locking tab that locks the outer spindle nut onto the spindle was not engaged or properly bent over.
- Risk
- Failure to properly engage the locking feature into the nut could cause the nut to loosen which will eventually cause the wheel bearing to over heat and fail if undetected. If the loose nut is not detected, the outer end (tire, wheel and hub assembly) could become separated from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the hubs to determine if the locking tabs are properly bent. If the locking tabs are not bent, then dealers will inspect the appropriate components for premature wear and replace such components as required and properly secure the retaining nut by bending over the locking tab. Owner notification began september 17, 2003. Owners should contact kenworth at 1‑425‑828‑5440 or peterbilt at 940‑591‑4201.
Recall number 03V288000 · Recall details
Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks equipped with jost international jsk 37u series fifth wheels, a fatigue crack can develop in the bracket pin weld under certain loading conditions.
- Risk
- If left undetected or corrected it could lead to the separation of the fifth wheel top plate from its mounting structure, possibly resulting in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the bracket pins and repair instructions free of charge. Peterbilt's owner notification began june 20, 2003. Kenworth's owner notification began june 12, 2003. 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 940‑591‑4201 or kenworth 425‑828‑5440.
Recall number 03V168000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Peterbilt 379 13
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- "Kenworth: Dealers should check the chassis list and SIR weekly for VIN changes
- Information Only – Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate
- Information Only: This bulletin provides dealers with a battery warranty quick reference guide to ensure...
- Information only: Hendrickson Softek front axle maintenance intervals and requirements.
- Information Only: Proper jump-starting voltage will eliminate high voltage related issues and equipment...
- Information Only: This bulletin provides guidance for repairing an air-conditioning system after internal...
- Information Only
- Information Only: Proper instructions for closure of power distribution box cover to prevent corrosion.
- Information: Bendix ACOM Software version 6.16.5.0 for diagnostics may introduce an unrecoverable error
- Information
What 2003 Peterbilt 379 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
When engaged the vehicle ran for approximately 15-30 seconds then stalled. The consumer then had to manually utilize the "hand primer valve" in order to restart the vehicle. The dealer has advised that since diagnostic testing equipment did not showing any issues, problem did not exist. The motor was manufactured by catapult, serial no. 69z70080.
While traveling on highway saw grease leaking from underneath the vehicle. Left front wheel was leaking. Manufacturer was aware of problem.
Compare the 2003 Peterbilt 379
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Questions about the 2003 Peterbilt 379
Is the 2003 Peterbilt 379 reliable?
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2003 Peterbilt 379, fewer than a typical 379 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Peterbilt 379?
Engine and cooling, with 1 complaint. Next is fuel system (1).
How many recalls does the 2003 Peterbilt 379 have?
5 recalls, covering service brakes, air, steering and power train.
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