PETERBILT Complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PETERBILT 389. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V368000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR) AND 20V199000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND A RECORDING INDICATED THAT THE SOFTWARE WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A WARNING FROM DOT DUE TO NOT KEEPING UP WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

OUR DRIVER WAS IN TOW WITH A VEHICLE WHEN HE STARTED EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS, WE ADVISED HIM TO RETURN TO THE YARD TO SWAP TRUCKS AND COMPLETE THE CALL THIS WAS ON 3/23/2020. BEING SHORT HANDED DUE TO THE STAY AT HOME ORDER WE DOWNED THE TRUCK UNTIL WE HAD ENOUGH STAFFING TO DELIVER IT TO PETERBILT FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIRS WHICH TOOK PLACE ON 3/30/2020. WE RECEIVED A CALL FROM [XXX] @ COAST COUNTIES PETERBILT (SAN LEANDRO) ADVISING ME THAT MY TRUCK WAS 4 DAYS OVER THE ONE YEAR WARRANTY MARK WITH JUST 21,594 MILES ON THE TRUCK AND I PROVIDED ME WITH AN ESTIMATE TO CONTINUE WITH REPAIRS SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. I ADVISED BOTH [XXX] AND [XXX] (SERVICE MANAGER) THAT NHTSA ISSUED 2 RECALLS (18V-931) AND (18E-102) BOTH PERTAINING TO A FAILED CLUTCHES THAT WERE INSTALLED INTO ROUGHLY 35-75K TRUCKS WHICH INCLUDED MY CLUTCH WHICH MATCHED THE SERIAL NUMBER AFFECTED CLUTCH RANGE PROVIDED BY EATON AND NHTSA ON BOTH OF THE RECALLS NOTICES. I REACHED OUT TO PACCAR AND EATON WHICH BOTH AGREED TO COVER A PORTION OF THE REPAIRS LEAVING ME WITH ALMOST A 3K REPAIR BILL FOR A PART THAT WAS ON NATIONAL RECALL. COAST COUNTIES PETERBILT, PACCAR & EATON ACTED IN BAD FAITH BY DISMISSING BOTH RECALLS, FURTHER THEIR LACK OF QUALITY ASSURANCE RESULTED IN MY COMPANY SUSTAINING AN AVOIDABLE LOSS OF REVENUE INC TRUCK & INSURANCE PAYMENTS WE HAD TO MAKE FOR A TRUCK WE WERE NOT ABLE TO USE FOR OVER 3 WEEKS AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SOMEONE BEING SERIOUSLY HURT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WE PURCHASED THIS TRUCK MARCH 4, 2018. SINCE THAT DATE A TOTAL OF THREE (3) PASSENGER QUARTER FENDERS HAVE "FALLEN OFF" THE TRUCK. THE LAST SET HAD LOCK TIGHT ON THE BOLT. IT IS ONLY INVOLVING THE PASSENGER SIDE. UNSURE IF THE BOLT BROKE OR JUST BACKED OUT. THE LAST ONE WHEN IT CAME OFF HIT OUR PRIMARY AIR LINE AND KINKED IT. LUCKY IT DIDN'T SEVER IT. ALSO WE HAVE HAD THREE (3) "COUNTRY" HORNS VIBRATE INTO PIECES. ALSO THE LAST HORN WAS ATTACHED WITH LOCK TIGHT TO PREVENT THE BUGLES FROM COMING OFF AS DIRECTED BY THE SUPPLIER. ALL THE BUGLES HAVE FALLEN OFF DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE VIBRATIONS OF THIS PARTICULAR MODEL YEAR. NEEDLESS TO SAY WE ARE TIRED OF REPLACING PARTS THAT VIBRATE OR BREAK OFF ON A NEW TRUCK!!!! THE FENDERS GO UNDER OUR DRIVES AND OUT THE BACK. FORTUNATELY NOBODY HAS BEEN INJURED DUE TO THE FLAW OF THIS PART. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION IN ALL INSTANCES ON A HIGHWAY. VARIOUS DATES WITH THE LATEST INDICATED. THE AIR COMPRESSOR STARTED MAKING A STRANGE SOUND BEFORE IT EVENTUALLY FAILED. WE COULD NOT MAINTAIN AIR PRESSURE IN THE TANKS AND THE LOW PRESSURE LIGHT WOULD COME ON FORCING US TO PULL THE TRUCK OVER SO THE SPRING BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. WE'VE ALSO HAD AIR DRYER ISSUES AND THE BRAIDED FUEL LINE TO THE FUEL PUMP HAD WORN CHAFED AND WORN THROUGH DUE TO A ROUTING PROBLEM. WE WERE TOLD THAT THIS ALLOWED AIR INTO THE FUEL WHICH INCREASED REGENERATIONS MORE THAN NORMAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 PETERBUILT. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AUTO COLLISION WARNING INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATED WHICH THE BRAKES TO BE APPLIED WITHOUT A VEHICLE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WITH THE SENSOR ON THE FRONT BUMPER WAS COVERED WITH SNOW. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER TO REQUEST THE FEATURE TO BE DISABLED BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A DEFECT DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. THE FAILURE WAS STILL EXPERIENCED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

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.

AFTER HITTING A BUMP, THE STEERING WOULD SHAKE SO BAD IT WAS HARD TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL. HAD TO PULL OFF ON THE SHOULDER TO GET THE SHAKING TO STOP. AFTER HAVING THIS HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES IN ONE DAY, I TOOK THE TRUCK TO DEALER WHERE THEY DISCOVERED IT HAD A BAD STEERING BOX. STILL WAITING ON THE TRUCK TO GET OUT OF SHOP.

PROBLEMS WITH (AFTER TREATMENT)CODES FLASHING, CHECK ENGINE, IMMEDIATELY WENT TO STOP ENGINE IMMEDIATELY AND TRUCK SHUT OFF AT 70MPH. FORTUNATELY NOT ON INCLINE OR DECLINE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SAFETY. THIS HAPPENED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. PETERBILT NOR CUMMINS HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE FUEL PUMP COMPLETELY FAILED AND TOOK OUT THE ENGINE. MANUFACTURER KNOWS THIS IS A DESIGN AND ENGINEERING FLAW AND REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE OLDER TRUCKS THAT STILL HAVE LOW MILES BUT ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. WE ARE PERSONALLY AWARE OF 5 ENGINE FAILURES IN THE SAME TIME FRAME OF OURS..ALL CUMMINS ISX15 MOTORS. THESE ENGINES ARE LEMONS. THE AFTER TREATMENT ENGINEERING IS A SHAM AND THE MOTORS ARE NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE THE STRAIN. THESE ARE PUTTING OWNER OPERATORS OUT OF BUSINESS AND ARE AN ENORMOUS SAFETY HAZARD. WHAT IS THE NHTSA PREPARED TO DO ABOUT THIS AS THE RECALL DUE TO THESE FUEL PUMPS SHOULD HAVE SPANNED MANY MORE YEARS AND THOUSANDS MORE VEHICLES. OUR ISSUE STARTED IN 2016 NOT LONG AFTER PURCHASE THROUGH PETERBILT AND CULMINATED WITH FUEL PUMP FAILURE/CARBON PACKING THIS PAST WEEK. WE WERE TOLD IT WAS WIRING HARNESS AND CUMMINS WAS TO COVER THE COST AS NO ONE SEEMED TO BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. WE HAVE GONE FROM BEING TOLD IT WOULD BE A 3800.00 HARNESS TO BEING TOLD THAT THE TRUCK NEEDS A NEW MOTOR AND FUEL/OIL PUMP USING THE SAME FLAWED AFTER TREATMENT (THIS WERE THE CODES THAT HAD BEEN APPEARING THAT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED, NEVER WARNING FOR FUEL PUMP, PRESSURE ISSUES, ETC.) FOR AN ADTL COST OF $39,000 IN ADDITION TO THE SERVICE WORK ALREADY PERFORMED TO NO AVAIL. OWNER OPERATORS CANNOT STAY IN BUSINESS AS MANUFACTURERS BASK IN THE GLORY OF SALES AND MAINTENANCE PROFITS. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. WE HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 12 YEARS AND NOW WILL GO OUT OF BUSINESS AND JUST HOPE WE CAN SELL THIS LEMON. ACT NOW.

WHEN THE ENGINE GETS WARM THE EXHAUST FILLS THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE WINDOWS ARE UP OR DOWN. THIS HAPPENS ON THIS MAKE OF VEHICLE IN THE 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018 MODELS.

FRONT BRAKES DRAGGING AND LOCKING. WRONG SIZE S-CAM BUSHING INSTALLED FROM FACTORY. *DT

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