The defect
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.
The risk
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.
The 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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Ford Aeromax | 1998 |
| Ford Louisville | 1998 |
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Aeromax | 1998 | 1 | 2 |
| Ford Louisville | 1998 | 2 | 2 |
Other service brakes, air recalls in 2000
38 of the 541 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2000 concerned the service brakes, air; FORD MOTOR COMPANY filed 963 campaigns in all.
| 00V279004 18 Dec 2000 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 00V400000 8 Dec 2000 | FOUR WINNS |
| 00V413000 6 Dec 2000 | INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE |
| 00V279006 28 Nov 2000 | ATHEY PRODUCTS CORP. |
| 00V279002 21 Nov 2000 | WESTERN RV, INC. |
| 00V357000 3 Nov 2000 | FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION |
| 00V279001 22 Sept 2000 | FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION |
| 00V279003 22 Sept 2000 | MONACO COACH CORP. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2000