By using the Pekeris approximation, the Duffin–Kemmer–Petiau (DKP) equation is investigated for a vector deformed Woods–Saxon (dWS) potential. The parametric Nikiforov–Uvarov (NU) method is used in calculations. The approximate energy eigenvalue equation and the corresponding wave function spinor components are calculated for any total angular momentum J in closed form. The exact energy equation and wave function spinor components are also given for the J = 0 case. We use a set of parameter values to obtain the numerical values for the energy states with various values of quantum levels (n, J ) and potential’s deformation constant q and width R.