RecallMyCar

2003 Peterbilt 379 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

5 safety recalls list the 2003 Peterbilt 379, and owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

5
safety recalls
3
owner complaints to NHTSA

5 safety recalls for the 2003 Peterbilt 379

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Service brakes, air

    NHTSA 07V044000 Reported 18 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR INCORPORATED

    On certain non-ABS equipped trucks, an air hose between the tractor protection valve and the back of the cab bulkhead was omitted.

    Remedy: Peterbilt will inspect the air hose plumbing of the drive axle brake system and make the necessary repairs. The recall began on february 22, 2007. Owners may contact peterbilt at 1-940-591-4196.

  2. Arm (steering)

    NHTSA 03V410000 Reported 1,187 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR INCORPORATED

    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.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the knuckle and steer arm assemblies. Owner notification began january 5, 2004. Owners should contact kenworth at 1-425-828-5440 or peterbilt at 1-940-591-4201.

  3. Slack adjusters (service brakes)

    NHTSA 03V343000 Reported 111 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR INCORPORATED

    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.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the "unhanded" automatic slack adjuster with a "handed" automatic slack adjuster that has a side mounted pawl nut. Owner notification began january 6, 2004. Owners who take their vehicles to an…

  4. Axle hubs (power train)

    NHTSA 03V288000 Reported 132 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR INCORPORATED

    On certain heavy duty trucks, the locking tab that locks the outer spindle nut onto the spindle was not engaged or properly bent over.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the hubs to determine if the locking tabs are properly bent. If the locking tabs are not bent, then dealers will inspect the appropriate components for premature wear and replace such components as…

  5. Fifth wheel assembly (trailer hitches)

    NHTSA 03V168000 Reported 483 vehicles potentially affected PACCAR INCORPORATED

    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.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the bracket pins and repair instructions free of charge. Peterbilt's owner notification began june 20, 2003. Kenworth's owner notification began june 12, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an…

3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2003 Peterbilt 379 have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. Complaints peaked in 2002 with 1 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“I bought a 2003 peterbilt 379 truck with a split tank in november 2002. Since brand new the truck never ran right, even the oil samples performed on the truck showed something was not right. I took it”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 3, 2005 · Fuel system, diesel

“When engaged the vehicle ran for approximately 15-30 seconds then stalled. The consumer then had to manually utilize the "hand primer valve" in order to restart the vehicle. The dealer has advised tha”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 29, 2003 · Engine and engine cooling

Compare Peterbilt 379 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Peterbilt 379 model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1987 Peterbilt 37920
1988 Peterbilt 37910
1991 Peterbilt 37901
1992 Peterbilt 37901
1994 Peterbilt 37901
1995 Peterbilt 37903
1996 Peterbilt 37912
1997 Peterbilt 37904
1998 Peterbilt 37926
1999 Peterbilt 37965
2000 Peterbilt 379612
2001 Peterbilt 37946
2002 Peterbilt 37920
2003 Peterbilt 37953
2004 Peterbilt 37941
2005 Peterbilt 37967
2006 Peterbilt 37972
2007 Peterbilt 37996
2008 Peterbilt 37990
2009 Peterbilt 37950
2010 Peterbilt 37920
2011 Peterbilt 37920
2012 Peterbilt 37920
2013 Peterbilt 37920
2014 Peterbilt 37910
2015 Peterbilt 37910
2016 Peterbilt 37910

Checking a specific 2003 Peterbilt 379

How do I know if my 2003 Peterbilt 379 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 5 campaigns currently list the 2003 Peterbilt 379; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Peterbilt dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 03V168000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Peterbilt models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.