PETERBILT Complaints

View complaints related to PETERBILT. The complaints found here are submitted by actual consumers with first hand experience. You can submit your own complaint to the NHTSA or call the Hotline, Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at (888) 327-4236, TTY: (800) 424-9153.

  • 2022 PETERBILT 579
    - Colorado Springs, CO

    The contact owns a 2022 Peterbilt 579. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V915000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the vehicle experienced the failure listed in the recall after the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving 22 MPH, the brakes failed to activate. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the failure with the brakes was caused by a loss of communication between the ECM and the ECU. The contact was informed that the ECU was not installed on the vehicle, and the lane mitigation system was found unplugged. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure; however, the manufacturer refused to help due to how the vehicle was manufactured. The contact stated that the vehicle was manufactured improperly with salvaged parts and stated that the serial number for the engine was not a match for the original engine. The failure mileage was 526,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2022 PETERBILT 389
    - Phillipston, MA

    OEM pressed-on cast iron/stamped rings fail prematurely due to regional rust jacking, disabling the vehicle's ABS. Explicitly mention that the current design creates a systemic safety risk in cold-weather states and that a recall mandating corrosion-resistant materials (like stainless steel) is required. This cost thousands of dollars to repair and only lasts 2-3 years. Almost everyone I know with these trucks have experienced this problem. Peterbilt is highly aware of the situation, but they refuse rectify it because it only affects cold weather states.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2022 PETERBILT 579
    - Riverview, FL

    After a decel to 20ish mph, the automated manual transmission attempted to shift into gear to begin acceleration. The transmission made load noises indicating a failure followed by a transmission warning with the fault code being 617 FMI 14. All acceleration and engine braking ability was disabled, increasing the risk of an accident due to the vehicle being disabled. A similar safety recall for the same vehicle would be NHTSA #24V-190 which causes the vehicle to become disabled and increase a crash risk. This is a known issue caused by compressed air contamination according to Eaton Transmissions service bulletin TAIB-1006, which was first published April 2023. In the over 3 years since the service bulletin was released, Eaton, Peterbilt, Paccar, and Cummins(engine manufacturers) have failed to develop adjusted maintenance intervals, added inspections, or additional filtration to prevent contamination of the transmissions air system. They've instead passed the financial burden of repair on the customers by denying warranties. The dealer determined based on TAIB-1006 that the MTM requires replacement and the air system cleaned of contamination. This was based on data and not a detailed inspection to determine the internal failure.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2024 PETERBILT 548
    - Peabody, MA

    This truck has a violent vibration throughout the CAB. It has been brought to Peterbilt in Peabody and Plainville and has been diagnosed with no issues. We are a Fuel Oil Delivery Company and are concerned that the vibrations will cause harm to the working components to the truck that may result in failure while driving the truck.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2025 PETERBILT 548
    - Peabody, MA

    The truck has a violent vibration, you can feel it while sitting in the drivers seat the steering wheel and also the steps getting into the truck, pretty much the whole CAB vibrates. Truck was taken to Peterbilt in Plainville, MA and upon three and half weeks of them trying to diagnose the issue for the third time we were told by Peterbilt that this was acceptable. We are a Fuel Oil Delivery Company, we are worried that the vibrations can cause loosening of truck components that could affect the integrity of the truck and casing failure while driving.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2020 PETERBILT 579
    - HORTENSE, GA, GA

    Camshaft failure as described in previous service bulletins for same year, make, model truck and Paccar MX-17 engine. Available for inspection as truck is not operational. Vehicle has been inspected by mechanic and no warning, messages, or other symptoms prior to the failure being noticed and inspected to locate issue.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2017 PETERBILT 579
    - Warren, NJ

    Unit 1 towing Unit 2 was traveling eastbound in the inside lane of IH-20. Unit 1 suffered a tire failure resulting in a blowout of the front left steering tire. Unit 1 towing Unit 2 steered towards the center median striking the guardrail and the concrete overpass barrier. Unit 1 and towed Unit 2 then rolled one-quarter roll right-over-left. Unit 1 and Unit 2 became engulfed in flames. Unit 1 came to rest in the center median, facing east, resting on the left/ driver side, with significant burn damage and not drivable. Unit 2 remained coupled to Unit 1 and came to rest in the center median, facing east, resting on the left side with significant burn damage and not towable. The driver of Unit 1 suffered severe, non-life-threatening injuries. Unit 1 Contributing Factor 98 (OTHER): Unit 1's leading contributing factor was found to be a tire blowout of the front left steering tire New Tire-61721-Jul25 Yokohama :RY617 Size:295/75R22.5 Ply:16 New Tire-51731-Jul25 Yokohama :TY517MC2 Size:295/75R22.5 Ply:16

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2023 PETERBILT 579
    - Lawton, MI

    Peterbilt has a recall 24V190 for the right hand shifter stalk. This VIN is not on the recall list however it does have the defective shift stalk and has been replaced 3 times prior to the recall. The most recent replacement was 8/20/24 replaced with the same defective part #. How do I get this truck on the recall list?

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 PETERBILT 389
    - Lake Wales, FL

    Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2021 Peterbilt 389. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle after running out of diesel, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The contact stated that while restarting the vehicle, the fuel filters needed to be refilled with diesel. The contact stated that whenever a trailer was serviced, the date and mileage were written on the filters. The contact stated that the mileage was significantly higher as written on the filter than what was written on the sales contract and shown on the odometer. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 411,000, and while refilling the fuel filters, the mileage was 671,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2022 PETERBILT 389
    - Rupert, ID

    The contact owns a 2022 Peterbilt 389 equipped with Goodyear Tires, Tire Line: Marathon LHS, Tire Size: 11R22.5, DOT Number: 1MY3TTYBW0324. The tires had been replaced prior to the failure. While driving, the driver's side front tires had a blowout. The local dealer was contacted, where it was diagnosed that the tread had separated. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and declined the claim. The manufacturer stated that the tires were either underinflated or overinflated. The tires were sent for X-ray. The contact stated that the vehicle carried propane fuel, and the air pressure was set at 110. The tire failure mileage was 37,000. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 439 087.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE