FORD LOUISVILLE 1998: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 00V335000

Production Dates: 1996-11-05 - 1997-12-18

Manufacturers Involved: Ford Motor Company

Manufacturer Campaign Number: 00S34

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

Potential Number Of Units Affected: 8400

Report Initiator: MFR MFR Report

Regulation Part Number: 571

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number: 121

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.

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.

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.

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 16, 2001.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT '1-888-327-4236'.