Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2014 Peterbilt 579, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Wheels1
- Power train1
- Service brakes1
- Electrical system1
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, 23 2014 579 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 4 people died inside them, and 2 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 2014 Peterbilt 579 failed the safety check 0.00% of the time — 100% less often than the average 2014 passenger car (2.30%). Median odometer at inspection: 395,658 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
11 Transport Canada recalls for the 2014 Peterbilt 579.
| 2020148 7 Apr 2020 | Lights And Instruments Issue: On certain trucks, the warning light for the tractor anti-lock brake system (ABS) may not turn on if the system loses power. If this happens, the drive… |
| 2017374 27 Jul 2017 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the polyfuse for the spotlight could develop a short circuit in the cabin fuse box. A short circuit could result in overheating and melting… |
| 2015317 20 Jul 2015 | Electrical On certain vehicles equipped with PACCAR MX-13 engines and Leece Neville alternators, the alternator charge cable may chafe against an air conditioning discharg… |
| 2015189 8 May 2015 | Electrical On certain vehicles equipped with PACCAR MX-13 engines and Delco-Remy 40SI alternators, the alternator charge cable may chafe against an air conditioning discha… |
| 2015095 5 Mar 2015 | Label Certain vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 120 - Tire Selection and Rims. The tire information label may ind… |
| 2014198 29 May 2014 | Airbag On certain vehicles, a wiring defect could cause the airbag warning lamp to fail to illuminate in the event of a fault with the side curtain airbag system. As a… |
| 2014061 4 Mar 2014 | Lights And Instruments Certain vehicles may not comply with the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 101 - Controls and Displays. The automatic transmission control po… |
| 2014018 22 Jan 2014 | Other On certain vehicles, the driver and passenger door latches may fail and remain either permanently locked or unlocked. If this were to occur, the driver and/or p… |
| 2013178 24 May 2013 | Electrical On certain trucks, an internal defect in the ignition switch can cause the starter to engage when the key is partially inserted. This would allow the engine to… |
| 2013077 12 Mar 2013 | Seats And Restraints On certain trucks, the cables which anchor the seatbelt buckle assemblies could fail. Failure of the seatbelt to restrain the seat occupant would increase the … |
| 2013057 19 Feb 2013 | Lights And Instruments On certain vehicles equipped with an exterior lights test switch, pressing the switch while the vehicle is in motion will cause all exterior lighting to be turn… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2008-2019 Peterbilt 330, 335, 337, 340, 348, 365, 367, 384, 386, 387, 388, 389, 567, 579 and 587 vehicles and 2008-2020 Kenworth T170, T270, T370, T660, T680, T800, T880, and W900 vehicles equipped with NAMUX Software. In the event that the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) loses battery and/or ignition power to the controller, the dash warning light for the ABS may not illuminate to warn the driver of the loss of ABS. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems," and 136, "Electronic Stability Control System on Heavy Vehicles."
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Kenworth T680 and T880 and Peterbilt 579 trucks, greater than 30 feet long and equipped with side extender mounted intermediate marker lamp/turn signals that do not include a reflex reflector. Since both intermediate side marker lamps and reflex reflectors are required, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Peterbilt 567 and 579 Kenworth T680 and T880 trucks equipped with optional spotlights. The spotlight circuit may not be adequately protected in the event of a short.
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Peterbilt 365, 367, 384, 386, 388, 389, 567, 579, and 587 trucks manufactured January 13, 2011, to April 20, 2015. The affected trucks, equipped with extended-body Leece Neville alternators, have alternator charge cables that may chafe against a formed metal freon discharge line.
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Kenworth T660, T680, T880 trucks manufactured February 18, 2013, to April 10, 2015, and 2011-2016 Peterbilt 386, 389, 567, 579, and 587 trucks manufactured December 13, 2010, to April 20, 2015. The affected trucks, equipped with PACCAR MX-13 engines and Delco-Remy 40SI alternators, have alternator charge cables that may chafe against a formed metal freon discharge line.
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 pressure below the actual correct amount. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 120, "Tire selection and rims and motor home/recreation vehicle trailer load carrying capacity information for motor vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds)."
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Peterbilt 579, 388, 384, 367, 365, 348, and 337 trucks manufactured October 30, 2009, through May 21, 2014. In the affected vehicles, if power is interrupted to the seat electronic control unit (ECU), such as when the fuse for that circuit blows, the side air bag would be disabled but there will not be a warning lamp indicator to notify the operator of the malfunction.
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain model year 2014 Peterbilt 567 and 579 model chassis manufactured January 29, 2013, through October 9, 2013, and equipped with Allison-brand transmissions. The affected vehicles may be missing the wiring that illuminates the shifter pad backlighting. As such, the chassis fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays."
PACCAR Inc. is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Kenworth T680 chassis manufactured January 1, 2012, through October 14, 2013, and Peterbilt 567 and 579 chassis manufactured January 20, 2012, through October 11, 2013, and equipped with Inteva-brand door latch assemblies. In the affected vehicles, the doors may lock permanently while closed or may be opened from the outside even after they have been locked.
PACCAR is recalling certain model year 2014 Kenworth T170, T270, T370, T470, T660, T680, T800, T880, and W900 trucks manufactured May 6, 2013, through May 17, 2013; and model year 2014 Peterbilt 330, 337, 348, 365, 367, 382, 384, 386, 388, 389, 389K, 567, 579 and 587 trucks manufactured May 1, 2013 through May 17, 2013. An internal defect in the ignition switch causes the starter to engage when a key is partially inserted, before the key is turned.
PACCAR is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Kenworth T680 and T880 trucks and model year 2013-2014 Peterbilt 567, 579 and 587 trucks equipped with air ride seats. The cables for anchoring the seat belt buckles of both the driver and passenger seat may fray.
PACCAR is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Kenworth T680 and T880 trucks, manufactured from January 18, 2012, through February 1, 2013; and model year 2013-2014 Peterbilt 579 and 567 vehicles, manufactured from January 20, 2012, through January 31, 2013. The Exterior Lights Self-Test switch is intended to be used when the vehicle is parked. If the switch is pressed while the vehicle is in motion, the Exterior Lights Self-Test switch will cause all exterior lighting to be extinguished.
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 2014 Peterbilt 579: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11010926 | Info Only Unnecessary starter replacements can result from customer complaints regarding engine starting issues. A new Starter Troubleshooting Guide has been created to provide a comprehensive list of starting system checks, which should reduce unnecessary starter replacements and associated warranty claims. Engine starting system warranty claims now require a completed Starter Checklist, a Battery Pack Midtronics Report, and a Cable Drop Midtronics Report. Claims filed without these documents may be denied. |
| 10238387 | Fix-as-Fail - HVAC Intermittently Stops Blowing Cold Air |
| 10219235 | The service information for Bendix Air Dryer maintenance is being updated to include new procedures. |
| 10198760 | An engine software update is required to resolve OBD system readiness, DEF doser diagnostics, and otherOBD system software related issues. |
| 10191768 | Non-Safety Campaign- Chassis Fairings become loose and rattle. |
| 10188550 | Information Only Windshield washer pumps have a high No Trouble Found rate. Washer pumps may fail to spray due to a clogged filter. |
| 10188468 | Non-Safety Campaign Chassis with the City Horn option may generate unexpected alerts. A VECU software update is available to resolve the issue. |
| 10188467 | Non-Safety Campaign The batteries may drain quickly due to the VECU not going to sleep. Updated VECU software is available to resolve the issue. |
| 10186168 | SmartNav 2.0 Hardware retrofit for quality validation and vehicle validation units. |
| 10183724 | Fix as Fail The HVAC system, on model 579 and 567 vehicles manufactured since 1/20/2012 may have inadequate temperature control. The HVAC may intermittently stop blowing cold air, typically after a truck restart. Driver may notice the system returns to normal after key cycle. The remedy is updating HVAC software. |
| 10179370 | Fix as Fail: Peterbilt has determined that certain model 348, 365, 367, 382, 384, 386, 388, 389, 567, 579, and 587 trucks, built between 4/13/2010 and 3/16/2020 and equipped with a flush mounted battery box, utilized rubber washers that could rub through and cause the aluminum box mounting tabs to rub directly on the steel frame brackets. This could result in cracked battery box mounting angles. Resolution is to add the reinforcement bracket(s) to affected vehicles. |
| 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. |
| 10177019 | Fix as Fail: For all conventional models, except 387/587, equipped with Side-of-Cab (SOC) exhaust and built from 03/6/2006 to 1/20/2020, the clamps that secure the SOC exhaust stacks may not be tightened properly. This may allow the exhaust stack to rotate and contact the cab or sleeper. |
| 10176033 | Information only: Hendrickson Softek front axle maintenance intervals and requirements. |
| 10174764 | Safety Recall Bulletin: Updated with permanent repair path for phase 1 vehicles. The Tractor ABS Lamp May Not Illuminate When ABS Controller Loses Battery and/or Ignition Power. NHTSA recall number is 18V368. Non compliance to FMVSS and CMVSS 121 and 136. Resolution is to Reflash software. |
| 10174762 | Safety Recall Interim Bulletin: The Tractor ABS Lamp May Not Illuminate When ABS Controller Loses Battery and/or Ignition Power. NHTSA recall number is 20V199 Non compliance to FMVSS and CMVSS 121 and 136. Resolution is to Reflash software. |
| 10173212 | Information Only Vehicles may have the connector seals on the wheel speed sensor incorrectly installed, which may lead to water intrusion and corrosion in some vehicles. |
| 10173206 | Fix as Fail: Peterbilt has determined in model 567 and 579 vehicles built after 2011, the door harnesses may fail due to repeated door open and close cycles. Resolution is to replace the door harness with a more robust designed harness if a failure is experienced. |
| 10173205 | Information Only: Proper jump-starting voltage will eliminate high voltage related issues and equipment damage. |
| 10172036 | Information Only: Vehicles may have the connector seal on the wheel speed sensor incorrectly installed, which may lead to sensor corrosion. |
| 10169787 | Information Only - Vehicles built with NAMUX software from 2013 to present may experience accuracy issues with the tachometer. The issue can be temporarily resolved using any one of the included procedures. |
| 10169783 | Fix as Fail: Peterbilt has determined that certain models 567 and 579 vehicles built after January 01, 2013 with an Espar fuel fire heater and SmartAir may have an auto On/Off malfunction at lower temperatures. User may experience lack of heat function on SmartAir if the set temperature is < 76 F. Resolution is to install a jumper harness. |
| 10169782 | Fix as Fail: Peterbilt has determined that model 567 and 579 vehicles built after January 01, 2013 and equipped with Espar fuel fire heater and SmartAir may have temperature overshoot issue. User may experience higher sleeper interior temperature than the set temperature on the SmartAir control. Resolution is to install an additional external temperature sensor on the sleeper control panel. |
| 10168703 | Information Only: This bulletin provides guidance for repairing an air-conditioning system after internal failure of the A/C compressor. |
| 10167115 | Fix as Fail: Certain model 579 trucks manufactured between September 5, 2014 and May 25, 2018 may have a faux door panel on the fairing with an insufficient weld that could result in the panel loosening. Resolution is to replace the applicable door panel upon failure. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Intermittent Loss of Power Steering Assist
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation