Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Peterbilt 379, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Fuel system, diesel1
- Wheels1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 37 2003 379 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 5 people died inside them, and 3 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2003 Peterbilt 379 failed the safety check 0.24% of the time — 89% less often than the average 2003 passenger car (2.11%). Median odometer at inspection: 232,614 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 2003 Peterbilt 379.
| 2004066 18 Feb 2004 | Brakes On certain vehicles, the trailer ABS malfunction warning telltale indicator mounted on the dash does not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 121. The fluores… |
| 2003250 21 Oct 2003 | Steering On certain vehicles, a longitudinal crack in the steer arm assembly may intersect a tapered hole that is machined into the part and used to mount the draglink b… |
| 2003187 7 Aug 2003 | Suspension On certain vehicles, the locking tab that locks the outer spindle nut onto the spindle was not engaged or properly bent over. Failure to properly engage the lo… |
| 2003121 5 May 2003 | Other On certain vehicles, fatigue cracks can initiate in the weld joining the bracket pin to its mounting flange on the fifth wheel assembly. Weld failures could le… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
ON CERTAIN NON-ABS EQUIPPED TRUCKS, AN AIR HOSE BETWEEN THE TRACTOR PROTECTION VALVE AND THE BACK OF THE CAB BULKHEAD WAS OMITTED.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DANA SPICER INTEGRAL KNUCKLE AND STEER ARM ASSEMBLIES, THE STEER AXLE ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE A LONGITUDINAL CRACK IN THE STEER ARM.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR 15X4 FRONT BRAKES AND DANA E1200 STEER AXLE, THE LEFT BRAKE CANNOT FULLY APPLY OR IT WOULD BECOME STUCK AND NOT RELEASE.
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, THE LOCKING TAB THAT LOCKS THE OUTER SPINDLE NUT ONTO THE SPINDLE WAS NOT ENGAGED OR PROPERLY BENT OVER.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH JOST INTERNATIONAL JSK 37U SERIES FIFTH WHEELS, A FATIGUE CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE BRACKET PIN WELD UNDER CERTAIN LOADING CONDITIONS.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Peterbilt told its dealers about the 2003 Peterbilt 379: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10188550 | Information Only Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate. Washer pumps may fail to spray due to a clogged filter. |
| 10177021 | Information Only: This bulletin provides dealers with a battery warranty quick reference guide to ensure the appropriate tests for battery warranty are performed in order to prevent battery warranty claims filed with incorrect or incomplete information. |
| 10176033 | Information only: Hendrickson Softek front axle maintenance intervals and requirements. |
| 10173205 | Information Only: Proper jump-starting voltage will eliminate high voltage related issues and equipment damage. |
| 10168703 | Information Only: This bulletin provides guidance for repairing an air-conditioning system after internal failure of the A/C compressor. |
| 10162392 | Information Only - Quick Reference Guide for Electric harness damage repairs. |
| 10159674 | Information Only: Proper instructions for closure of power distribution box cover to prevent corrosion. |
| 10154733 | Information: Bendix ACOM Software version 6.16.5.0 for diagnostics may introduce an unrecoverable error. Notice to dealers to replace this version with older software version until Bendix introduces new version. |
| 10143649 | Information - Recommended Practices for Updating ESA Software |
| 10007008 | AIR DISC BRAKES FOR MODEL 379-FAMILY VEHICLES. PETERBILT. *TT |
| 10004654 | THERE ARE OCCASIONS WHEN A LEAK MAY DEVELOP IN A PRESSURE HOSE WITH A CRIMP-STYLE END FITTING AT THE POWER STEERING PUMP CONNECTION. THIS MAY BE DUE TO THE ORIENTATION AND LENGTH OF THE OE PRESSURE HOSE. A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT THAT REORIENTS THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND CHANGES THE LENGTHS OF PRESSURE AS WELL AS SUCTION HOSES WAS IMPLEMENTED IN PRODUCTION ON JULY 28 2003. THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION TO MAKE THIS IMPROVEMENT ON EARLIER VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCE THE LEAK DESCRIBED. *TT |
| 10003463 | REPAIR OF MIRROR BRACKET CAB DOOR CORROSION. MODEL 379-FAMILY VEHICLES. YEAR UNKNOWN. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)