AI Damage1999 Peterbilt 379: common problems
Owners of the 1999 Peterbilt 379 filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and fuel system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 40% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel system 40% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 20% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 20% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (40% of all).
- Fuel system: 2 complaints (40% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (20% of all).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 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.
The crankshaft broke when slowing for a scale house, leaving the truck disabled. The truck was towed to a shop. The cluch and transmission input shaft had to be replaced.
Vehicle fire ignited in engine compartment. While driving the driver noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The driver pulled the vehicle over and drifted about 1/2 mile with the engine off. The consumer exited the vehicle and saw flames under the engine area.
Fault in fuel line equalizing and if you fill your fuel tanks the fuel ends up returning into one tank and the tank over flows. This causes two problems the first is creating an environmental hazard the second is a safty problem making the roadway slippery worst than driving on ice.
Today I had to replace a fuel tank strap that broke. Based on the age of the truck, it appears to me that it is a little premature to be replacing a strap, especially on something as critical as a fuel tank.
There is an inch of dead play in the steering wheel. Consumer has to turn the steering wheel an ich one way to get it to start turning in the opposite direction. This causes no control of the vehicle when driving at high speed. The dealer has been contacted.
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 14,282 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 39% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 379 has 4 complaints (17 years in the data). This year has 5, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Peterbilt 379?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, fuel system, powertrain. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (20%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1999 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 1999 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.
Other 1999 models
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.