Peterbilt 379 2003

Model 379 made in 2003 by Peterbilt got 3 consumer complains there are 5 recalls as well as 3 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to engine and engine cooling, fuel system, diesel and wheels. Technical service bulletines regarding service brakes, air, steering and structure. There were some recalls concerningpower train, service brakes, air and steering.

Model 2003

Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
POWER TRAIN - AXLE HUBS
03V288000PACCAR INCORPORATEDfrom 04/07/2003 to 04/18/2003V (Vehicle)13209/17/2003MFRPACCAR INCORPORATED08/06/200308/07/2003
Defect SummaryOn certain heavy duty trucks, the locking tab that locks the outer spindle nut onto the spindle was not engaged or properly bent over.
Consequence SummaryFailure 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.
Corrective SummaryDealers 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.
NotesKenworth recall no. 03kw8/peterbilt recall no. 803-d.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
07V044000PACCAR INCORPORATEDfrom 12/17/2003 to 10/02/2006V (Vehicle)1802/22/2007MFRPACCAR INCORPORATED02/12/200702/14/2007
Defect SummaryOn certain non-abs equipped trucks, an air hose between the tractor protection valve and the back of the cab bulkhead was omitted.
Consequence SummaryThe 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.
Corrective SummaryPeterbilt 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.
NotesPeterbilt recall no. 107b.customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - SLACK ADJUSTERS
03V343000PACCAR INCORPORATEDfrom 05/27/2003 to 08/21/2003V (Vehicle)11101/06/2004MFRPACCAR INCORPORATED09/15/200309/16/2003
Defect SummaryOn 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.
Consequence SummaryIf 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.
Corrective SummaryDealers 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.
NotesPeterbilt recall no. 903-f.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
STEERING - LINKAGES - KNUCKLE - SPINDLE - ARM
03V410000PACCAR INCORPORATEDfrom 07/31/2003 to 10/08/2003V (Vehicle)118701/05/2004MFRPACCAR INCORPORATED10/20/200310/23/2003
Defect SummaryOn 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.
Consequence SummaryIf the crack should propagate over time, the ball could become loose resulting in a loss of steering, which could result in a crash.
Corrective SummaryDealers 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.
NotesKenworth recall no. 03kwapeterbilt recall no. 1003g.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration
TRAILER HITCHES - FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY
03V168000PACCAR INCORPORATEDfrom 01/21/2003 to 04/22/2003V (Vehicle)48306/18/2003MFRPACCAR INCORPORATED05/05/200305/15/2003
Defect SummaryOn 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.
Consequence SummaryIf 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.
Corrective SummaryDealers 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.
NotesPeterbilt recall no. 403-c/kenworth recall no. 03kw4.also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - DISC
60404/07/200410007008Air disc brakes for model 379-family vehicles. peterbilt. *tt05/21/2004
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP
80309/10/200310004654There are occasions when a leak may develop in a pressure hose with a crimp-style end fitting at the power steering pump connection. this may be due to the orientation and length of the oe pressure hose. a product improvement that reorien12/29/2003
STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR
2007/31/200310310003463Repair of mirror bracket cab door corrosion. model 379-family vehicles. year unknown. *tt10/21/2003

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
0
 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. *nlm
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY
01/20/200411/05/2002
 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.
WHEELS - LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS
08/09/2002
 While traveling on highway saw grease leaking from underneath the vehicle. left front wheel was leaking. manufacturer was aware of problem.*ak

Car dealers selling


StateCityZipNamePhone
PABARTONSVILLEPOCONO PETERBILT