2018 PETERBILT 579 Complaints and Recall Information
The 2018 PETERBILT 579 has 2 complaints and 17 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues related to powertrain and electronic controls. Specific complaint details are limited but suggest concerns affecting vehicle operation.
There are 17 recalls affecting various systems including steering, stability control, fuel delivery, brakes, electrical, and seat belts. These recalls involve defects that can impact vehicle safety and performance.
Common Issues- Powertrain concerns. Reports mention problems with engine stalls and unexpected vehicle movement related to clutch or transmission components.
- Steering component failure. Defective fasteners on the Dana D-Series axle steer arm may fail, risking loss of steering control.
- Electronic stability control deficiencies. Some trucks lack required hardware and software or have software errors causing failure of ABS warning lights.
- Fuel system leaks. Plastic fuel tee fittings have been reported to leak fuel, creating fire hazards.
- Seat belt buckle defects. Some seat belt buckles were glued instead of sewn, risking separation during a crash.
- Transmission gear display errors. Incorrect instrument cluster readouts may show wrong gear positions, possibly leading to vehicle movement issues.
- Battery cable chafing. Oversized positive battery jumper cables may cause electrical shorts due to contact with suspension components.
- Electrical system failures. Methane detection systems can lose power disabling warnings, increasing risk of undetected hazards.
The 17 recalls address defects in safety-critical systems affecting steering, fuel, braking, transmission, lighting, and electronic control modules.
Recalls- Steering fasteners. (NHTSA 22V277000) About 17,641 vehicles have Dana D-Series steer arm fasteners that may fail, causing loss of steering control and crash risk. Dealers replace and torque the fasteners free of charge. Owner notices mailed November 2022.
- Electronic stability control. (NHTSA 19V657000) Twelve electric PETERBILT 579 trucks lack required ESC hardware/software increasing crash risk. Dealers install the ESC system at no cost. Recall began September 2019.
- Wiring for methane detection. (NHTSA 21V00N000) Over 1,100 trucks have faulty wiring that can disable methane alarms, increasing risk of injury or fire. Dealers re-wire alarms free of charge. Owner letters sent December 2022.
- Fuel system leaks. (NHTSA 17V103000) About 465 trucks have plastic fuel tee fittings that may leak, increasing fire risk. Dealers replace fittings free of charge. Recall started April 2017.
- ABS warning light failure. (NHTSA 20V199000 and 18V368000) Over 460,000 trucks with NAMUX software may not warn driver if ABS fails, increasing crash risk. Dealers update software free of charge. Recalls began May 2020 and June 2018.
- Engine fuel line burst. (NHTSA 18V657000) Nearly 49,000 trucks have a risk of burst fuel lines during certain driving conditions causing stalling and road hazards. Dealers replace cooling circuit screens free of charge. Recall started November 2018.
- Clutch assembly failure. (NHTSA 18V931000) About 25,556 trucks equipped with automated manual transmissions may experience clutch failures resulting in unintended movement. Dealers update transmission control modules free of charge. Recall began February 2019.
- Seat belt buckle defect. (NHTSA 18V870000) Around 6,857 trucks have buckles glued instead of sewn which can separate in crashes, increasing injury risk. Dealers replace buckles free. Recall began February 2019.
- Exterior lighting noncompliance. (NHTSA 18V816000) About 1,619 trucks with missing reflex reflectors on side lamps have reduced visibility risk. Dealers install reflective tape free of charge. Recall started January 2019.
- Battery cables chafing. (NHTSA 20V130000) Approximately 35,671 vehicles have positive jumper cables that may chafe and short circuit causing fire risk. Dealers inspect and replace cables as needed free of charge. Recall began April 2020.
- Fuel pump drive gear failure. (NHTSA 17V443000) 1,737 trucks with Cummins ISX 15L engines risk pump gear slippage leading to engine stalls and crash risk. Dealers replace fuel pumps free of charge. Recall started July 2017.
- Transmission control module fault. (NHTSA 17V840000) About 1,222 trucks have TCM failures allowing engine start when transmission is not in neutral, risking vehicle movement. Dealers update software free. Recall began February 2018.
- Instrument cluster errors. (NHTSA 18V092000) Nearly 1,938 trucks have displays that incorrectly show neutral gear, potentially preventing vehicle movement. Dealers install software updates free. Recall began March 2018.
Owners facing repeated repairs or unresolved recall issues related to these defects may have rights under state lemon laws. Those impacted should consider consulting legal professionals to explore available remedies.
2018 PETERBILT 579 Summary
2018
Model Year
2
Total Complaints
14
Total Recalls
688862
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2018 PETERBILT 579
17641 vehicles affected
STEERING:CRITICAL FASTENERS
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Kenworth T270, T370, T440, T470, T660, T680, T880, T800, W900, W990; and 2018-2020 Peterbilt 330, 337, 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, 567, and 579 vehicles. The Dana D-Series axle steer arm fasteners that attach the steering arm to the steering knuckle may fail.
Risk: Fastener failure can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
2018 PETERBILT 579
1107 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Peterbilt 567, 579, 2021-2022 Peterbilt 536, 2017-2021 Kenworth T880, 2016-2022 Kenworth T680, 2018-2020 Kenworth T440, 2020 Kenworth T270, and 2021 Kenworth T280 vehicles. The methane detection system will not function if the system loses power.
Risk: The operator may be unaware of a system malfunction or the presence of excessive methane levels, increasing the risk of injury or fire.
2018 PETERBILT 579
460515 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
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."
Risk: If the driver unknowingly operates the vehicle without the ABS functioning, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
2018 PETERBILT 579
35671 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Peterbilt 365, 389, 567, and 579 vehicles equipped with a left-hand under hood jumper terminal (option code 2539410). The positive battery jumper terminal cable may be too long, allowing it to chafe against the left front suspension spring and result in an electrical short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
2018 PETERBILT 579
12 vehicles affected
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Transportation Power, Inc. (TransPower) is recalling certain 2017-2018 electric trucks built on Peterbilt 579 chassis. The vehicles do not have stabilization hardware and software that interacts with the braking system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 136, "Electronic Stability Control Systems on Heavy Vehicles."
Risk: Without a Electronic Stability Control system, there is a greater chance of loss of stability control, which increases the risk of a crash.
2018 PETERBILT 579
1619 vehicles affected
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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."
Risk: Missing reflex reflectors can reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
2018 PETERBILT 579
6857 vehicles affected
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018 Kenworth T680 and T880, and Peterbilt 567 and 579 trucks. The seat belt buckle assemblies on these vehicles may have been glued and not sewn during manufacturing, possibly causing the assembly to come apart under load, such as in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the seat belt buckle assembly separates, it can prevent the occupant from being properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of a crash.
2018 PETERBILT 579
25556 vehicles affected
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Peterbilt 337, 348, 365, 367, 389, 567, 579 and 587 trucks and 2018-2019 Kenworth C500, T270, T370, T440, T660, T680, T800, T880 and W900 trucks equipped with automated manual transmissions. An internal component in the clutch assembly may fail, possibly resulting in unintended vehicle movement.
Risk: Unintended movement of a vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
2018 PETERBILT 579
48896 vehicles affected
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Kenworth C500, T600, T660, T680, T800, T880 and W900 trucks, as well as Peterbilt 367, 386, 389, 567, 579 and 587 trucks, equipped with Cummins ISX15 or X15 diesel engines. In certain driving conditions, such as on a long down-hill grade, the fuel line may burst if the fuel pump cooling circuit screen becomes restricted.
Risk: If the fuel line bursts, fuel may leak onto the road resulting in a roadway hazard for other motorists. The engine may also stall without warning, resulting in the vehicle's inability to restart, increasing the risk of a crash.
2018 PETERBILT 579
85626 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Peterbilt 567 and 579 trucks and 2015-2018 Kenworth T660, T680, T800, T880 and W900 trucks. 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."
Risk: If the driver unknowingly operates the vehicle without the ABS functioning, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
2018 PETERBILT 579
1938 vehicles affected
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kenworth T680 and T880 trucks, and Peterbilt 567 and 579 trucks, all equipped with an automated Eaton UltraShift Plus or Eaton Advantage Transmission with right hand stalk shifter. The display that indicates which transmission gear the driver selected may display incorrectly. The display can indicate 'N' when the shifter is set into 'D' or 'R', and the as a result, the truck will not move. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence/Starter Interlock/Transmission Braking Effect," and number 101, "Control and Displays."
Risk: A truck that does not move as expected can increase the risk of a crash.
2018 PETERBILT 579
1222 vehicles affected
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018 Peterbilt 567, 579, Kenworth T680, and T880 trucks, equipped with certain Eaton Endurant and PACCAR AMT transmissions. The transmission control module (TCM) may allow the engine to crank briefly even if the transmission shifter is not in neutral. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence/Starter Interlock/Transmission Braking Effect."
Risk: If the transmission is not in neutral when the engine begins running, there may be unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.
2018 PETERBILT 579
1737 vehicles affected
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Peterbilt 367, 389, 567, 579 and 587 trucks, and 2018 Kenworth C500, T680, T800, T880 and W900 trucks equipped with Cummins ISX 15L engines. These engines have a fuel pump whose drive gear could possibly slip on its drive shaft, causing a fuel pump function loss, resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
2018 PETERBILT 579
465 vehicles affected
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Kenworth K370, T680, T880 and 2017-2018 Peterbilt 567 and 579 trucks. The plastic fuel tee fittings on these trucks may leak fuel.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Complaints
2018 PETERBILT 579
ID: 2089999FIRERELATED
See attached document for complaint.
2018 PETERBILT 579
ID: 2089998SERVICE BRAKES
See attached document for complaint.