NHTSA Campaign 00V335000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

Issued by FORD MOTOR COMPANY · Reported Oct 19, 2000 · 8,400 vehicles affected

What's wrong

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MEDIUM DUTY TANDEM REAR AXLE TRUCKS WITH ABS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE AIR BRAKE SYSTEM WAS PLUMBED SO THAT COMPLETE AIR RESERVOIR ISOLATION WAS NOT PROVIDED. SOME VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN AIR LINE FROM THE SYSTEM ECU RELAY VALVE MODULE TEE FITTING, INCORRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE SYSTEM SUPPLY TANK, RATHER THAN THE SYSTEM AUXILIARY PRIMARY TANK.

Consequence

A LEAKAGE OR FAILURE CAN CAUSE A PRESSURE LOSS IN THE SECONDARY TANK RESULTING IN THE DRAINING OF THE PRIMARY TANK ALSO, AND THUS A COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE SYSTEM AIR PRESSURE, DIMINISHING BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE VEHICLE HAS THE INCORRECTLY ROUTED AIR LINE. THOSE WITH THE CONDITION WILL BE CORRECTLY PLUMBED AND THE AIR BRAKE SYSTEM TESTED TO VERIFY PROPER RESERVOIR ISOLATION.

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
FORD AEROMAX 1998 8,400
FORD LOUISVILLE 1998 8,400

Source: NHTSA Campaign 00V335000 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.