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1998 Peterbilt 379

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
6Owner complaints

Model-year median: 1

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
3
19952
19964
19976
19985
199912
20006
2001
Compare all 379 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
3Suspension
2Service Brakes, Air
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 0 of 6 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Air. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports4 fire reports1 injury reports

Suspension complaints

2 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2010
Suspension

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 PASSENGER SIDE I REPLACED EVERYTHING…

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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 PASSENGER SIDE I REPLACED EVERYTHING ( SPINDLE,HUB,AND DRUM ) ACCORDING TO PETERBILT MY TRUCK DOES NOT FALL INTO THEIR RECALL. I BELIEVE IT DOES AND IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT BECAUSE AFTER REPLACING THE FOREMENTIONED PARTS IT SEEMS TO HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10312930

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2000
Suspension

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 FRONT END SHOP ABOUT SEVEN TIMES …

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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 FRONT END SHOP ABOUT SEVEN TIMES TIRES STILL GOING BAD , AN ALL SORT'S OF OTHER THING'S AS WELL. AN THIS IS A NEW 98.000.00 DOLLAR TRUCK I BOUGHT , AN I CAN'T FIND ANYBODY TO HELP ME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #720576

Official recalls

2

03V125000 · Suspension:front:hub

Apr 1, 2003

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 & remedy

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 CONTACT PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201 OR KENWORTH 425-828-5440.

99V181001 · Electrical System:ignition:module

Jul 9, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINES AND EATON AUTOSHIFT TRANSMISSIONS. THE ENGINES CAN STALL BECAUSE OF SOFTWARE PROBLEMS.

Consequence & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.