Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2018 Peterbilt 579
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
433.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 48,187 mi
Brakes
325.0%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 20,000 mi
Steering
216.7%
Median failure at 20,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
216.7%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Suspension
18.3%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
250.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
125.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
125.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2019peak 3May 2025
NHTSA investigations into the 2018 Peterbilt 579
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE20015Opened 21 Sep 2020Closed 14 Oct 2021STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
Quarter Fender Failures
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE21-015) based on one Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) and supporting fleet reports. The reports indicated that the subject quarter fenders were prone to cracking and/or separation.After a comprehensive review of the data related to the quarter fender failures on the subject vehicles, ODI did not identify the existence of a safety-related defect trend. Quarter fender failures resulted in a warranty claim rate less than one percent (<1%) of the total vehicle population. All separations, including those due to tread...
PE20006Opened 1 May 2020Closed 27 Mar 2024STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
Intermittent Loss of Power Steering Assist
On May 1, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE20006 to investigate complaints of intermittent loss of power steering assist in Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), Volvo Trucks of North America (Volvo) and PACCAR vehicles equipped with a ZF/TRW (TRW) THP60 steering gear. The investigation focused on 2010-2020 DTNA Freightliner Cascadia, M2 and WST; Volvo VN, VAH and VHD and PACCAR 337, 365, 389, 567, 579 model vehicles.Field reports and interviews with fleet drivers allege that high power steering fluid temperatures could result in internal seal and bearing failures causin...
Recalls on the 2018 Peterbilt 579
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2022210985 units in Canada
Steering
Issue: On certain trucks, the fasteners that attach the steer arm to the steering knuckle may fail. If this happens, the steer arm could separate from the steering knuckle and cause a loss of steering control. Note: This recall only affects trucks equipped with a Dana D-series steer axle. Safety Risk: A loss of steering control could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: PACCAR will notify owners by mail. The corrective actions for this recall are under development.
Recall 202014865,284 units in Canada
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 driver will not get warning that the ABS is not working properly. Note: This problem would also cause the traction control (TC) and electronic stability control (ESC) lights not to turn on. Safety Risk: If a driver is not warned that the ABS is not working properly, there could be an increased risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: PACCAR will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to a dealer to update the software for the cab control module (CECU).
Recall 20200902,435 units in Canada
Electrical
Issue: On certain trucks, the battery cables to the jump-start terminal may be too long. As a result, the cables could contact and chafe against the left-front suspension leaf spring. If this happens, a short circuit could occur and cause the positive cable to overheat or melt. Note: This recall only affects trucks with a left-hand under-hood battery jumper terminal. Safety Risk: An overheated or melted battery cable could create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to a dealer for an inspection of the jump-start terminal cables. If the cables are too long, they will be replaced.
Recall 20187392,634 units in Canada
Powertrain
On certain vehicles equipped with an Eaton automated manual transmission and electronic clutch actuator (ECA), the clutch may have been manufactured improperly and could fail. If this occurs, the broken clutch components could prevent the transmission from disengaging or shifting to neutral. This could result in unintended vehicle movement, even if the parking brake is applied, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will recalibrate the Transmission Control Module (TCM).
Recall 2018702758 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles, the webbing on certain seat belt buckle assemblies may not have been securely fastened during assembly. As a result, in the event of a crash, the seat belt may fail to restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will remove and replace seat belt buckle assemblies as necessary.
Recall 20185272,974 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain trucks built with a Cummins X15 or ISX15 engine equipped with nylon fuel lines and a banjo bolt on the fuel pump, a blockage in the fuel cooling system may cause a fuel line to burst. This could result in a significant fuel leak onto the roadway, which would create a road hazard for other motorists. Additionally, this condition could also cause an engine stall without warning, without the ability to restart the engine. Both of these conditions may increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Cummins-authorized dealers will replace the affected nylon line with a steel line.
Recall 2018389214 units in Canada
Brakes
Certain vehicles may fail to conform to the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 121 - Air Brake Systems and CMVSS 136 - Electronic Stability Control Systems for Heavy Vehicles. In the event that the anti-lock brake system (ABS) loses battery and/or ignition power to the controller, the ABS indicator lamp may not illuminate to warn the driver of the loss of ABS, which is contrary to the requirements of the standards. This could result in the loss of ABS function with no warning to the driver, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the cab control module.
Recall 2018077174 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
Certain vehicles equipped with Eaton Ultrashift Plus or Eaton Advantage automatic transmissions with right hand stalk shifters may not comply with the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) 101 - Location and Identification of Controls and Displays and CMVSS 102 – Transmission Control Functions. Under certain conditions, the D-R-N (Drive-Reverse-Neutral) display in the instrument cluster may incorrectly illuminate the "N" on the display when the transmission shifter is in the "D" or "R" position, which is contrary to the requirements of the standards. This could create confusion to the operator, which could increase the risk of injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will update the transmission software.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Reading, PAFire
SERVICE BRAKES
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11659905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reading, PAFire
FIRERELATED
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11659905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,375 milesEL Pena, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 PETERBILT 579. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING, THE REAR BRAKES AND TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE NEXT DAY THE RUNNING LIGHTS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FAILED, THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE ALSO FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MAIN ELECTRICAL HARNESS COMING OUT OF THE MAIN COMPUTER AND RUNNING THE ENTIRE SPAN UNDERNEATH THE CAB HAD LITTLE TO NO PROTECTIVE SHEATHING/ CORD WRAP/ ALUMINUM WRAP PROTECTING THE WIRES. THE HARNESS WAS ROUTED THROUGH A U-BOLT TYPE FLANGE AS WELL AS HANGS NEAR SEVERAL METAL PARTS THAT, WHILE IN MOTION, RUB AGAINST THE WIRE CAUSING THEM TO FRAY. AS A RESULT, SEVERAL ITEMS BEGAN TO SHORT OUT AND ALSO CAUSED NUMEROUS WIRES TO HEAT UP AND MELT. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE RUNNING LIGHT BRAKE LIGHTS INTERN SIGNALS BEGAN TO FAIL. THE HARNESS COULD CAUSE FRAYING AND A POTENTIAL FIRE AS WELL AS SEVERAL MODULES TO FAIL. THE CONTACT CALLED NORTHERN OHIO PETERBILT DEALER, (1330 W TRENTON AVE, FINDLAY, OH 45840, (419) 423-3441) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVER THE ONE YEAR HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES FOR THE WARRANTY AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,375.
NHTSA complaint #11298970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Reading, PAFire
SERVICE BRAKES
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11659905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reading, PAFire
FIRERELATED
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11659905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sycamore, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This vehicle about 6-8 weeks ago started throwing codes for all systems above (over 100 codes). This issue affected all systems of the vehicle including but not limited to the speed and braking of the vehicle, plus the fuel system and adaptive driving systems. We took it to the dealer Performance Peterbilt in Tifton, GA. They cleared the codes and said they resolved it by replacing a NOX sensor. We left the repair shop and within 50-100 miles the exact same issue started up again. We took it back to the same shop, they worked with Paccar and determined it needed a new ECM (Computer), this was changed out and still did not resolve issue. They then changed out the main wire harness. This resolved some issues but not all issues. Now the repair dealer is stating it needs a dash wire harness. This vehicle has relatively low miles 500K and has only been serviced by Peterbilt dealers through it's life. This issue causes the vehicle to accelerate and brake randomly plus many other issues by stopping power in hauling. We have another IDENTICAL vehicle which is now doing the same thing but have not brought it into the shop yet until manufacturer can get this 1st truck fixed properly to ensure safety.
NHTSA complaint #11624162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sycamore, GA
ENGINE
This vehicle about 6-8 weeks ago started throwing codes for all systems above (over 100 codes). This issue affected all systems of the vehicle including but not limited to the speed and braking of the vehicle, plus the fuel system and adaptive driving systems. We took it to the dealer Performance Peterbilt in Tifton, GA. They cleared the codes and said they resolved it by replacing a NOX sensor. We left the repair shop and within 50-100 miles the exact same issue started up again. We took it back to the same shop, they worked with Paccar and determined it needed a new ECM (Computer), this was changed out and still did not resolve issue. They then changed out the main wire harness. This resolved some issues but not all issues. Now the repair dealer is stating it needs a dash wire harness. This vehicle has relatively low miles 500K and has only been serviced by Peterbilt dealers through it's life. This issue causes the vehicle to accelerate and brake randomly plus many other issues by stopping power in hauling. We have another IDENTICAL vehicle which is now doing the same thing but have not brought it into the shop yet until manufacturer can get this 1st truck fixed properly to ensure safety.
NHTSA complaint #11624162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sycamore, GA
SERVICE BRAKES
This vehicle about 6-8 weeks ago started throwing codes for all systems above (over 100 codes). This issue affected all systems of the vehicle including but not limited to the speed and braking of the vehicle, plus the fuel system and adaptive driving systems. We took it to the dealer Performance Peterbilt in Tifton, GA. They cleared the codes and said they resolved it by replacing a NOX sensor. We left the repair shop and within 50-100 miles the exact same issue started up again. We took it back to the same shop, they worked with Paccar and determined it needed a new ECM (Computer), this was changed out and still did not resolve issue. They then changed out the main wire harness. This resolved some issues but not all issues. Now the repair dealer is stating it needs a dash wire harness. This vehicle has relatively low miles 500K and has only been serviced by Peterbilt dealers through it's life. This issue causes the vehicle to accelerate and brake randomly plus many other issues by stopping power in hauling. We have another IDENTICAL vehicle which is now doing the same thing but have not brought it into the shop yet until manufacturer can get this 1st truck fixed properly to ensure safety.
NHTSA complaint #11624162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hesperia, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On 8/10/2024 our sleeper berth hvac fans abruptly quit working. After checking fuses we noticed the fan control switch was hot. After removing the panel that the switch is held in we noticed the HVAC Fan Control switch (Part# 599-5000) was charred, upon removing the switch from the plug we observed the actual plug is melted, and one of the wires on the wire harness has charring of the plastic insulation. This could have very well caught fire. I am going to have to replace the wiring harness as re-pining the plug will not solve the issue of the wire being burned and the insulation being charred. There was no warning lamps, occasionally the fan would turn off then resume.
NHTSA complaint #11607883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hesperia, CA
STEERING
Front axle begins popping and making metal to metal noises when hitting bumps and or turning. We took it to the shop and they found the nuts to the U-bolts that hold the leaf springs to the front axle had begun backing off and were out of torque spec. Upon receiving the truck back the front end no longer made this noise. Approximately 8 months later we are hearing the same metal on metal and popping noises that we heard previously. We have also noticed similar year Peterbilt 579's with this same noise and popping so this isn't specific to our vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11522814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hesperia, CA
SUSPENSION
Front axle begins popping and making metal to metal noises when hitting bumps and or turning. We took it to the shop and they found the nuts to the U-bolts that hold the leaf springs to the front axle had begun backing off and were out of torque spec. Upon receiving the truck back the front end no longer made this noise. Approximately 8 months later we are hearing the same metal on metal and popping noises that we heard previously. We have also noticed similar year Peterbilt 579's with this same noise and popping so this isn't specific to our vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11522814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,375 milesEL Pena, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 PETERBILT 579. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING, THE REAR BRAKES AND TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE NEXT DAY THE RUNNING LIGHTS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FAILED, THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE ALSO FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MAIN ELECTRICAL HARNESS COMING OUT OF THE MAIN COMPUTER AND RUNNING THE ENTIRE SPAN UNDERNEATH THE CAB HAD LITTLE TO NO PROTECTIVE SHEATHING/ CORD WRAP/ ALUMINUM WRAP PROTECTING THE WIRES. THE HARNESS WAS ROUTED THROUGH A U-BOLT TYPE FLANGE AS WELL AS HANGS NEAR SEVERAL METAL PARTS THAT, WHILE IN MOTION, RUB AGAINST THE WIRE CAUSING THEM TO FRAY. AS A RESULT, SEVERAL ITEMS BEGAN TO SHORT OUT AND ALSO CAUSED NUMEROUS WIRES TO HEAT UP AND MELT. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE RUNNING LIGHT BRAKE LIGHTS INTERN SIGNALS BEGAN TO FAIL. THE HARNESS COULD CAUSE FRAYING AND A POTENTIAL FIRE AS WELL AS SEVERAL MODULES TO FAIL. THE CONTACT CALLED NORTHERN OHIO PETERBILT DEALER, (1330 W TRENTON AVE, FINDLAY, OH 45840, (419) 423-3441) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVER THE ONE YEAR HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES FOR THE WARRANTY AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,375.
NHTSA complaint #11298970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesMiami, FL
STEERING
BENDIX WINGMAN COLLISION MITIGATION SYSTEM, THIS SYSTEM AS AM TRYING TO BRAKE THE VEHICLE DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT WAS CLOSER THAN IT REALLY WAS AND LOCKED THE BRAKES AND STEERING, AT SUCH TIME THE DRIVER LOOSES CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY, THIS WAS THE FOURTH TIME IT DID THIS, THE THIRD TIME IT LOCKED THE BRAKES I WAS TRYING TO BRAKE WHILE A CAR WAS DRIVING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY, SECOND TIME I WAS TRYING TO PASS A CAR AND IT DETECTED THE CAR TO CLOSE AND LOCKED THE BRAKES, FIRST TIME BUMPER TO BUMPER IT WAS RAINING, ON A HIGHWAY A VEHICLE CUT IN FRONT OF ME TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE SYSTEM LOCKED UP THE BRAKES AND STEERING, THERE WAS PLENTY OF ROOM FOR ME TO STOP WITHOUT THIS SYSTEM HAVING TO LOCK THE BRAKES UP ON ME
NHTSA complaint #11202730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesMiami, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
BENDIX WINGMAN COLLISION MITIGATION SYSTEM, THIS SYSTEM AS AM TRYING TO BRAKE THE VEHICLE DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT WAS CLOSER THAN IT REALLY WAS AND LOCKED THE BRAKES AND STEERING, AT SUCH TIME THE DRIVER LOOSES CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY, THIS WAS THE FOURTH TIME IT DID THIS, THE THIRD TIME IT LOCKED THE BRAKES I WAS TRYING TO BRAKE WHILE A CAR WAS DRIVING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY, SECOND TIME I WAS TRYING TO PASS A CAR AND IT DETECTED THE CAR TO CLOSE AND LOCKED THE BRAKES, FIRST TIME BUMPER TO BUMPER IT WAS RAINING, ON A HIGHWAY A VEHICLE CUT IN FRONT OF ME TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE SYSTEM LOCKED UP THE BRAKES AND STEERING, THERE WAS PLENTY OF ROOM FOR ME TO STOP WITHOUT THIS SYSTEM HAVING TO LOCK THE BRAKES UP ON ME
NHTSA complaint #11202730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesLivonia, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE MAIN ELECTRICAL HARNESS COMING OUT OF THE MAIN COMPUTER AND RUNNING THE ENTIRE SPAN UNDERNEATH THE CAB HAD LITTLE TO NO PROTECTIVE SHEATHING/CORD WRAP/ALUMINUM WRAP PROTECTING THE WIRES. THE HARNESS IS ROUTED THROUGH A U-BOLT TYPE FLANGE AS WELL AS HANGS NEAR SEVERAL METAL PARTS THAT, WHILE IN MOTION, RUB AGAINST THE WIRES CAUSING THEM TO FRAY. THIS IN TURN CAUSED SEVERAL ITEMS TO BEGIN TO SHORT OUT AND ALSO CAUSED NUMEROUS WIRES TO HEAT UP AND MELT. IT WAS DISCOVERED WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED AND THE SAME SIDE RUNNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THIS ALSO CAUSED THE WASHER FLUID PUMP TO TURN ON AND RUN CONSTANTLY, HEATING IT TO THE POINT OF SCALDING TO THE TOUCH. NOT HAVING ANY TYPE OF PROTECTIVE WRAP AROUND THE HARNESS COULD CAUSE FRAYING AND A POTENTIAL FIRE AS WELL AS SEVERAL MODULES TO FAIL AS IT DID IN THIS CASE. *DT CONSUMER STATED PETERBILT WARRANTY(1 YEAR/100,000 MILES) WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #11184671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.