VehicleVerdict

2000 Peterbilt 357 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 19 complaints on file for the 2000 Peterbilt 357 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 7 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

19

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other 357 years?

See all 357 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Peterbilt 357 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering737%
Brakes632%
Suspension632%

Does the 2000 Peterbilt 357 have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

03V125000SuspensionApril 1, 2003 · 154 units

Defect

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

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.

02V037003SteeringJuly 15, 2002 · 4,513 units

Defect

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 WITH ARVINMERITOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 11, 1999, TO MAY 23, 2000, AND FROM JULY 27, 2000, TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND KENNWORTH WILL RECALL AN ADDITIONAL 4,151 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DANA AXLES AND MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 23 TO DECEMBER 6, 1999, AND FROM MAY 23 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2000. THE TIE ROD AND DRAG LINK BALL STUD ENDS CONTAIN BEARINGS THAT ARE BELOW THE SPECIFIED CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS.

Consequence

THIS CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR WITH POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL AFFECTED TIE RODS AND DRAG LINKS WITH DIFFERENT DESIGNED ENDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 15, 2002. 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 1-940-591-4201 OR KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.

01V140006SteeringAugust 28, 2001 · 2,294 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR WITH POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL AFFECTED TIE RODS AND DRAG LINKS WITH DIFFERENT DESIGNED ENDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 24, 2001. 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 1-940-591-4000 OR KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5000.

01V179000Latches & LocksJune 5, 2001 · 52,500 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. A CHANGE IN THE INTERNAL LINKAGE OF CERTAIN CAB DOORS HAS CREATED A POSSIBLE BINDING CONDITION.

Consequence

IF THE LINKAGE BINDS, FULL ENGAGEMENT OF THE DOOR LATCH MAY NOT OCCUR, ALLOWING THE DOOR TO OPEN INADVERTENTLY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE DOOR LINKAGE TO CORRECT THE POTENTIAL OF BINDING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 22, 2001. 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 1-940-591-4000.

01V167001SuspensionMay 17, 2001 · 390 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

FAILURE OF THE WELD COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE EYE AND TUBE, CAUSING A LOCK OF AXLE RETENTION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL CHALMERS FIXED TORQUE RODS ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 27, 2001. 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 1-940-591-4000 OR KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5000.

01V066000SteeringMarch 7, 2001 · 1,755 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE BOLTS USED TO SECURE THE STEERING SHAFT CAN FAIL.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 2, 2001. 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 1-940-591-4000.

01V054000Seat BeltsFebruary 22, 2001 · 6,623 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS 7 AND CLASS 8 VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEM," AND NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." SOME FASTENERS USED TO ATTACH THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHOR BRACKET TO THE CAB STRUCTURE WERE OMITTED DURING PRODUCTION.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE SEAT OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL ADD THE NECESSARY FASTENERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 19, 2001. 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 1-940-591-4000.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

PETERBILT TRUCK # 53. FRONT STEERING LINES ARE ROUTED INCORRECTLY AND HAVE STARTED TO WEAR THROUGH BECAUSE OF RUBBING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering

TRUCK # 54. FRONT MOUNTING HOLES ARE LARGER THAN STUDS. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THEM, AND ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR VEHICLE.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · crash

PETERBILT TRUCK# 53. THE AIR LINES HAVE NO INSULATION, CAUSING THE LINES TO RUB THROUGH FRAME AND WEAR. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes

2000 Peterbilt 357 — common questions

Is the 2000 Peterbilt 357 reliable?

The record is thin — 19 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 7 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2000 357 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (7 complaints), brakes (6 complaints), suspension (6 complaints).

Does the 2000 Peterbilt 357 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Peterbilt 357. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.