Total Complaints
18 filings
PETERBILT 379 · model year
2000 PETERBILT 379
18 NHTSA complaints, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2000PETERBILT379 carries 18 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2000 379 is latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch with 3 filings, followed by structure:frame and members (3) and steering:hydraulic power assist:pump (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2000 379. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
18
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 3 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP | 3 |
| SUSPENSION | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT | 1 |
Recalls (6)
01V14000628/08/2001
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW TIE ROD ENDS ON CERTAIN MERITOR AXLES. THE TIE ROD AND DRAG LINK BALL STUD ENDS CONTAIN BEARINGS THAT ARE BELOW THE SPECIFIED CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS.
01V16700117/05/2001
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CHALMERS 1000 SERIES AND 800 SERIES SUSPENSION KITS. THESE SUSPENSION KITS MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT PENETRATION OF THE WELD ATTACHING THE TORQUE ROD EYE TO THE TORQUE ROD TUBE.
02V03700315/07/2002
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW TIE ROD ENDS ON CERTAIN ARVINMERITOR AND DANA AXLES. PETERBILT WILL RECALL 1,434 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ARVINMERITOR AXLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 11, 1999, TO MAY 14, 2000, AND FROM JULY 22 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2000. KENWORTH WILL RECALL 859 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WI
01V06600007/03/2001
STEERING
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE BOLTS USED TO SECURE THE STEERING SHAFT CAN FAIL.
01V17900005/06/2001
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. A CHANGE IN THE INTERNAL LINKAGE OF CERTAIN CAB DOORS HAS CREATED A POSSIBLE BINDING CONDITION.
03V12500001/04/2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
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.
Recent Complaints
20100721FireSUSPENSION
2000 PETERBILT 379 UTILITY TRAILER WHEEL BEARING CAUGHT ON FIRE. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0205-89)*JB UPDATED 08/05/10 *BF UPDATED 9/1/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE BEARINGS WENT DRY AND STARTED A GREASE FIRE, NOT THE TIRES. UPDATED 09/1/410
20040318POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
THE WELD BETWEEN THE SHAFT HOUSING AND AIR CHAMBER ARM WAS BREAKING. *PH *LA
20031029SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
PROBLEMS WITH S CAM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE INSTALLED ON THE TRI AXLE TRUCK. *MR THE PROBLEM WAS COMMON IN OTHER TRUCKS WITH LARGE ENGINES SUCH AS 600 HP AND DANA SPICER DUAL REAR AXLE CONFIGURATION. *SCC *JB
20031022SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S BRAKING SYSTEM OPERATED POORLY. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT ALL FOUR REAR WHEEL BRAKE ASSEMBLIES WERE CRACKED. ELEVEN FAILURES WERE REPORTED WITH THE DEALER WITHIN 22 MONTHS. THE WRITER, JOHN REED DAVIS, A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER WAS RETAINED BY THE CONSUMER. (PETERBILT 379 TRI AXLE DUMP TRUCK WITH S CAM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES INSTALLED ON THE TRI AXLE). *AK *NLM
20020514STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
POWER STEERING BRACKET BROKE AND WAS REPLACED AT 183467, IT IS BEING REPLACED AGAIN AT 393927, CONSUMER STATES THE BRACKET BROKE AT THE TOP MOUNTING HOLE, CONSUMER FEELS A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM INSTEAD OF A SERVICE BULLETIN. *SLC
20020213LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND GOING OVER A POT HOLE IN THE PAVEMENT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR UNEXPECTEDLY OPENED. THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. NLM
20011129STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
VEHICLE IS LEANING TOO MUCH TO THE LEFT. *AK
20011129STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
VEHICLE IS LEANING TOO MUCH TO THE LEFT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER AND SEVERAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS, AND NO ONE CAN CORRECT THE PROBLEM, ASKING NHTSA TO ASSIST ON THIS ISSUE.*AK. SEVERAL MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE STEER TIRES WERE WORN, THE STEER AXLE WHEEL BEARING WAS BROKEN AND THE RIGHT STEER AXLE KINPIN HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY, THE VEHICLE WAS ALIGNED, THE CLUTCH WAS ADJUSTED, THE STEERING WAS TIGHT, AND THE STEERING GEAR BOX WAS REPLACED.*JB
20011129STEERING
VEHICLE IS LEANING TOO MUCH TO THE LEFT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER AND SEVERAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS, AND NO ONE CAN CORRECT THE PROBLEM, ASKING NHTSA TO ASSIST ON THIS ISSUE.*AK. SEVERAL MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE STEER TIRES WERE WORN, THE STEER AXLE WHEEL BEARING WAS BROKEN AND THE RIGHT STEER AXLE KINPIN HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY, THE VEHICLE WAS ALIGNED, THE CLUTCH WAS ADJUSTED, THE STEERING WAS TIGHT, AND THE STEERING GEAR BOX WAS REPLACED.*JB
20011129SUSPENSION
VEHICLE IS LEANING TOO MUCH TO THE LEFT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER AND SEVERAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS, AND NO ONE CAN CORRECT THE PROBLEM, ASKING NHTSA TO ASSIST ON THIS ISSUE.*AK. SEVERAL MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE STEER TIRES WERE WORN, THE STEER AXLE WHEEL BEARING WAS BROKEN AND THE RIGHT STEER AXLE KINPIN HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY, THE VEHICLE WAS ALIGNED, THE CLUTCH WAS ADJUSTED, THE STEERING WAS TIGHT, AND THE STEERING GEAR BOX WAS REPLACED.*JB
20011129POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE IS LEANING TOO MUCH TO THE LEFT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER AND SEVERAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS, AND NO ONE CAN CORRECT THE PROBLEM, ASKING NHTSA TO ASSIST ON THIS ISSUE.*AK. SEVERAL MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE STEER TIRES WERE WORN, THE STEER AXLE WHEEL BEARING WAS BROKEN AND THE RIGHT STEER AXLE KINPIN HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY, THE VEHICLE WAS ALIGNED, THE CLUTCH WAS ADJUSTED, THE STEERING WAS TIGHT, AND THE STEERING GEAR BOX WAS REPLACED.*JB
20011015STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
POWER STEERING RESERVOIR MOUNTING BRACKET BROKE, OWNER WAS INFORMED THAT A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED AND THAT A REPLACEMENT BRACKET WOULD BE INSTALLED IF THE EXISTING BRACKET WAS CRACKING, CONSUMER SUGGESTS AN ANGLE TYPE BRACKET BE FABRICATED AND BOLTED TO THE EXISTING RESERVOIR BRACKET, THEN BOLTED TO THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD BOLT, THIS WOULD ELIMATE TORSION STRESSES ON THE RESERVOIR BRACKETS AT THE TIMING COVER WHERE CRACKS BEGIN. *SLC
20011015STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
POWER STEERING BRACKET BROKE AND WAS REPLACED AT 183467, IT IS BEING REPLACED AGAIN AT 393927, CONSUMER STATES THE BRACKET BROKE AT THE TOP MOUNTING HOLE, CONSUMER FEELS A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM INSTEAD OF A SERVICE BULLETIN. *SLC
20010206LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
FRONT DOORS UNLATCH WHILE TRAVELING OVER UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES, DEALER HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN FIXING PROBLEM. *SLC
20010206LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
FRONT DOORS WILL UNLATCH CAUSING THEM TO OPEN COMPLETELY, DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *SLC
20010206LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK
FRONT DOORS UNLATCH WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS, NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE DEALER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, ALSO AN AIR RIDE WAS INSTALLED FOR THE CAB, BUT IT'S BEGINNING TO BUCKLE NEAR THE AIR CLEANER. *SLC
20010206STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
FRONT DOORS UNLATCH WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS, NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE DEALER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, ALSO AN AIR RIDE WAS INSTALLED FOR THE CAB, BUT IT'S BEGINNING TO BUCKLE NEAR THE AIR CLEANER. *SLC
20000309POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY A TRUCK PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. CONSUMER SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED INTO GEAR. CONTACTED DEALER. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES. *AK
Compare 2000PETERBILT379 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2000 PETERBILT 379 have?▼
The 2000 PETERBILT 379 has 18 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2000 PETERBILT 379?▼
Yes, the 2000 PETERBILT 379 has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 PETERBILT 379?▼
The most-complained component for the 2000 PETERBILT 379 is LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS and STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP.
Is the 2000 PETERBILT 379 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.