VehicleVerdict

2001 Peterbilt 379 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 9 complaints on file for the 2001 Peterbilt 379 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

9

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other 379 years?

379 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted18 complaints1987: 0 complaints1988: 0 complaints1991: 1 complaints1992: 1 complaints1994: 1 complaints1995: 3 complaints1996: 2 complaints1997: 9 complaints1998: 6 complaints1999: 6 complaints2000: 18 complaints2001: 9 complaints2002: 0 complaints2003: 3 complaints2004: 1 complaints2005: 7 complaints2006: 2 complaints2007: 7 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 0 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 0 complaints
379 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 379 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Peterbilt 379 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension444%
Body & Structure222%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)111%
Engine111%
Other111%

Does the 2001 Peterbilt 379 have recalls?

4 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.

02V018001BrakesJanuary 15, 2002 · 2,302 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR WABCO PNEUMATIC ANITLOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) VALVE PACKAGES, THE ASSEMBLY BOLTS ON THESE VALVE PACKAGES WERE NOT TIGHTENED CORRECTLY.

Consequence

BOLTS TORQUED BELOW SPECIFICATION WILL NOT RELIABLY PREVENT AIR LEAKAGE AT THE AFFECTED ABS VALVE PACKAGE INTERFACE JOINTS ONCE THE COMPONENT BEGINS NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. IF AIR LEAKS DEVELOP AT ANY OF THE ABS VALVE PACKAGE INTERFACE JOINTS, BRAKE SYSTEM PRESSURE REDUCTIONS COULD OCCUR DURING BRAKING OR NORMAL OPERATION WITH UNITS EQUIPPED WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL OPTION, POTENTIALLY EXTENDING STOPPING DISTANCES, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE FASTENERS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 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 KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440 OR PETERBILT AT 1-940-591-4201.

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“VEHICLE WOULD WANDER WHEN DRIVING 60-65 MPH, VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND ROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 14, 2002

“THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS STRONG VIBRATION, THE DEALER HAS BALANCED THE DRIVESHAFT, DELAY SPRING, REPLACED THE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS, FRONT BEARINGS, INSTALLED ALUMINUM FRONT HUBS, ALIGNED THE FRONT WHEELS, REPLACED ENGINE INJECTOR COILS, REPLACED ONE DEFECTIVE WHEEL, REPLACED MUFFLER SEAL, MIRROR DOOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 26, 2001

“THE CONSUMER SPECIAL ORDERED THE VEHICLE TO BE INSTALLED WITH FOUR AIR TANKS BUT THE MANUFACTURER ONLY INSTALLED THREE, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THIS WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND WINDOW WOULD NOT OPEN SINCE THEY ARE AIR OPERATED. NLM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other

“VEHICLE HAS A TOXIC CHEMICALS COMING OUT OF AIR DUCTS. CONSUMER BELIEVED IT WAS COMING OUT OF AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR. IT BURNED CONSUMER'S EYES. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Climate Control (A/C & Heat) · May 4, 2001

“VEHICLE HAS A TOXIC CHEMICALS COMING OUT OF AIR DUCTS. CONSUMER BELIEVED IT WAS COMING OUT OF AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR. IT BURNED CONSUMER'S EYES. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 4, 2001

2001 Peterbilt 379 — common questions

Is the 2001 Peterbilt 379 reliable?

The record is thin — 9 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2001 Peterbilt 379 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Peterbilt 379. 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.