PETERBILT 379 · model year

2007 PETERBILT 379

7 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 9 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2007PETERBILT379 carries 7 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 2 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 2007 379 is engine and engine cooling:exhaust system with 1 filings, followed by power train:driveline (1) and fuel system, diesel (1). 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 9 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 2007 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.

7
Complaints
1
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

7 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE1
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL1
TIRES1

Recalls (9)

13V59300025/11/2013

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Paccar Incorporated (Paccar) is recalling certain 2004-2013 Peterbilt 379, 357, 378, 367, 388, 365, 389, 385 and 386 trucks manufactured from April 3, 2003, through October 25, 2013 and equipped with tri-drive rear axles and a tag or pusher axle. The affected vehicles may be missing required inform

07V13200022/03/2007

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE AXLE HOUSINGS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH STEEL THAT WAS OUT OF SPECIFICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FATIGUE FAILURE OVER TIME.

06V49000021/12/2006

SUSPENSION

ON SOME PETERBILT TRUCKS, CERTAIN PARTS USED IN THE AIR SUSPENSIONS HAVE A HIGH COPPER CONTENT CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE.

09V01900016/01/2009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

PACCAR IS RECALLING 1098 KENWORTH MY 2008 T800, W900, MY 2008-2009 T2000 AND PETERBILT MY 2007-2009 379 AND 387 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH C15 CATERPILLAR DIESEL ENGINES. THE AFTERTREATMENT REGENERATION DEVICE (ARD) MAY DEVELOP A HOLE AND HEAT AND FLAME MAY ESCAPE DURING A REGENERATION OF THE DIESEL PART

10V63400013/12/2010

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

PACCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 KENWORTH AND PETERBILT VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 2, 2006 THROUGH APRIL 30, 2007. THE BEARING SURFACES OF THE EXTENDED LUBE UNIVERSAL JOINT THAT ATTACHES THE INTER-AXLE DRIVELINE TO THE DRIVE AXLE MAY BECOME PREMATURELY WORN DUE TO BREAKDOWN

07V15300010/04/2007

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, IF THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED ON PRIOR TO INITIAL START UP IN THE MANUFACTURING PLANT OR DURING THE FILTER REPLACEMENT IN THE FIELD, A SMALL FLAME WILL IGNITE WHEN THE FUEL IS ADDED TO PRIME THE SYSTEM.

08V10400010/03/2008

TRAILER HITCHES

PACCAR IS RECALLING 318 MY 2007-2009 KENWORTH T800, W900, AND PETERBILT 357, 365, 367, 378, 379, 384, 385, 386,388, AND 389 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH PREMIER TRAILER HITCH ASSEMBLIES. THE PINTLE HITCH ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED IN A MANNER RESULTING IN A REDUCTION OF FATIGUE STRENGTH OF THE PI

15V13200006/03/2015

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2006-2016 Peterbilt 587, 579, 567, 389, 388, 387, 385, 382, 379, 378, 367, 365 and 357 trucks manufactured July 25, 2005, to February 26, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with Tire and Rim Certification Labels that list a tire

08V09900004/03/2008

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SLACK ADJUSTERS

PACCAR IS RECALLING 130 MY 2005-2007 KENWORTH C500, T800, W900, AND PETERBILT MODELS 357 AND 379 TRACTOR TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH FABCO SLACK ADJUSTERS ON SISU AXLES. THE SLACK ADJUSTERS MAY FAIL AS A RESULT OF A FATIGUE CRACK RENDERING THE SLACK ADJUSTER INOPERATIVE. THIS COULD REDUCE BRAKING EFFEC

Recent Complaints

20141230TIRES

TRUCK WAS TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE 81 IN VA, 208MM. AS TRUCK WAS CHANGING LANES THE LEFT STEER TIRE BLEW OUT, CAUSING OVER $10,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO TRUCK AND LEAVING DRIVER STRANDED ON LEFT SHOULDER OF INTERSTATE. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED OR KILLED BUT TRUCK WAS IN DANGEROUS LOCATION. VA STATE POLICE WERE VERY HELPFUL AND THE CREW FROM PETRO TRUCK STOP CAME OUT QUICKLY AND R&R TIRE AND WHEEL TO GET TRUCK BACK TO TRUCK STOP. TRUCK WAS TRAVELING APPROX. 60 MPH AT TIME OF FAILURE, AVERAGE WEIGHT ON FRONT AXLE IS 12,000, TIRE PRESSURE IS CHECKED EVERY MORNING AND WAS 130PSI BEFORE STARTING THAT DAY, THE WHEEL IS AN ALCOA 8.25 X 22.5 RATED FOR 130PSI. TIRE IS A MICHELIN ENERGY XZA2+ 295/60R 22.5 *JS

Mileage: 932,374

20130116FatalENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

2007 PETERBILT SEMI TRUCK. CONSUMER REQUESTS ASSISTANCE IN GETTING COMPANY TRUCK TESTED FOR EMISSION AND SEAL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HER HUSBAND WAS FOUND DECEASED ON MARCH 26, 2012. THE CONSUMER STRONGLY BELIEVED, HER HUSBAND WAS A VICTIM OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. THE DECEDENT WAS FOUND IN AN IDLING TRUCK WITH ALL THE VENTS CLOSED OFF. THE AUTOPSY REPORT DESCRIBED HER HUSBAND AS HAVING FACIAL PLETHORA A SYMPTOM FOUND IN A DECEASED PERSON WITH CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.

20130116FatalENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

2007 PETERBILT SEMI TRUCK. CONSUMER REQUESTS ASSISTANCE IN GETTING COMPANY TRUCK TESTED FOR EMISSION AND SEAL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HER HUSBAND WAS FOUND DECEASED ON MARCH 26, 2012. THE CONSUMER STRONGLY BELIEVED, HER HUSBAND WAS A VICTIM OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. THE DECEDENT WAS FOUND IN AN IDLING TRUCK WITH ALL THE VENTS CLOSED OFF. THE AUTOPSY REPORT DESCRIBED HER HUSBAND AS HAVING FACIAL PLETHORA A SYMPTOM FOUND IN A DECEASED PERSON WITH CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.

20121005FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TRUCK WAS SITTING UNATTENDED AND WIRING HARNESS SHORTED OUT AND BURNED ALL THE WIRING UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER ASKING AROUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE ISN'T A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. IF A DRIVER IS ASLEEP IN THE SLEEPER AND THIS WERE TO HAPPEN THERE COULD BE A LOSS OF LIFE OR CRITICAL/SEVERE INJURY. *TR

Mileage: 629,063

20110601FireFUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

AFTER GETTING 2007 PETERBILT WASHED I LEFT WASH BAY TO LET TRUCK DRY. I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. UPON STARTING THE ENGINE I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM RIGHT WHEEL WELL. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. HOOD STARTED TO BUCKLE FROM HEAT. I RAISED HOOD AND FIRE WAS LOCATED NEAR LEFT SIDE OF FIREWALL. I GOT FIRE EXTINGUISHER OUT AND PUT OUT FIRE. FUEL LINE HAD RUBBED A HOLE IN IT BY RUBBING AGAINST A LARGE POWER CABLE. FUEL LEAKED AND SPARK FROM POWER CABLE IGNITED FUEL. THE TRUCK IS A 2007 -379 WITH A CATERPILLAR ENGINE. THE TRUCK HAS 300,000. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TUFF. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON PETERBILTS AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. I AM GLAD I DID NOT WAKE UP TO FIND THE CAB ENGULFED IN FIRE. *TR

Mileage: 300,000

20090604CrashPOWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

THE DRIVE SHAFT ON A 2007 PETERBILT MALFUNCTIONED AND DROPPED OUT OF THE TRACTOR, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TRACTOR AND TO 5 VEHICLES FOLLOWING WHO HIT THE SHAFT IN THE ROADWAY. THE PETERBILT HAS 267,009 MILES ON IT AND THE SHAFT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THIS WAS A DANA CORPORATION DRIVESHAFT AND THEY FIXED THE TRACTOR UNDER WARRANTY AND ARE HANDLING THE CLAIMS OF THE 5 VEHICLES WHO ENCOUNTERED THE DEFECTIVE SHAFT. *TR

Mileage: 267,009

20090104ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

I DRIVE A TRACTOR TRAILER FOR R.L. SMITH TRUCKING 169 ENTERPRISE DR. WENTZVILLE MO. I HAVE BEEN TELLING RICHARD & ERIC SMITH THAT I HAVE BEEN SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING IN MY TRUCK. THEY KEEP BLOWING ME OFF SAYING "YOU & YOUR SMELLS". FINALLY I TOOK IT TO KENWORTH OF JOPLIN MO & THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE GASKET ON THE MAIN PART OF THE EXHAUST BEHIND THE TWIN TURBOS. I CALLED RICHARD (1-3-09) & TOLD HIM WHAT THEY FOUND. RICHARD SAID HE IS NOT GETTING IT FIXED UNTIL I FINISH MY RUN & HE WILL LOOK AT IT WHEN I GET IN. KENWORTH OF JOPLIN SAID THEY COULD HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM THAT NIGHT, BUT I WAS TOLD NOT TO HAVE IT FIXED. I ALSO TOLD RICHARD THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 12-31-08 & HE SAID HE WOULD HAVE ERIC PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER. THEY NEVER DID. IT SEAMS THAT RICHARD SMITH FIXES ALL THE MEN'S TRUCKS, BUT PUTS MINE OFF ALL THE TIME. *TR

Mileage: 220,000

Compare 2007PETERBILT379 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2007 PETERBILT 379 have?
The 2007 PETERBILT 379 has 7 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2007 PETERBILT 379?
Yes, the 2007 PETERBILT 379 has 9 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2007 PETERBILT 379?
The most-complained component for the 2007 PETERBILT 379 is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE and FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL.
Is the 2007 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.