AI Damage1998 Peterbilt 379: common problems
Owners of the 1998 Peterbilt 379 filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and suspension. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 50% of all complaints
- 2 Suspension 33% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 17% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (50% of all).
- Suspension: 2 complaints (33% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (17% of all).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
There was no accident involved with this complaint. This is regarding peterbilts recall #303-a I have a 1998 379 that was purchased 10/5/01 since then I have replaced the hub bearings on the steer axle once on the drivers side and three times on the passenger side.
Our 1998 peterbilt 379 caught fire inside uss posco steel mill in pittsburg, california on thursday 5-16-2002. After looking at your web site I found a recall the nhtsa campaign id number: 00v029000 . Now our truck is in the process of being totaled out. How do we find out if this is what caused fire.
While driving the faulty fuel line routing and engine wiring sparked causing a fire without warning prior to recall notice 00v-029 (equipped with 1998 caterpillar 3406e engines). Nlm
I've had the truck in the shop four times to fix the same problem an is still not fixed.at the time it was very dangrous the problum is a little bit fixed but , I went in there to buy a new truck an I got a truck that leans to right tires going bad I've put two set's of stearing tires on been in front end shop about…
My husbands truck, listed on the included form, was almost brand new when it caught fire and burnt beyond repair. We have recently hired a laywer to help us in this case. That is why I don't want you to notify peterbilt .
Main power line rubbed against the fuel line, causing and electric static and sparked a fire. Please provide further information.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 13,278 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 379 has 4 complaints (17 years in the data). This year has 6, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Peterbilt 379?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, suspension, service brakes. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (67%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1998 Peterbilt 379?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1998 Peterbilt 379 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.