1997 Ford Aeromax recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL WABCO AIR DRYER. THE AIR BRAKE SYSTEM WAS PLUMBED SO THAT THE SYSTEMS DID NOT PROVIDE AIR RESERVOIR ISOLATION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS."
What could happen: THE AIR BRAKE RESERVOIR PRESSURE COULD BE DEPLETED, ACTIVATING THE EMERGENCY SPRING BRAKE. WITH THE EMERGENCY SPRING BRAKE DEPLOYED, THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP AND COULD NOT BE MOVED UNTIL THE BRAKE AIR SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE AIR LINE PLUMBING TO INSTALL A CHECK VALVE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1997 AEROMAX.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 99V050000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL WABCO AIR DRYER. THE AIR BRAKE SYSTEM WAS PLUMBED SO THAT THE SYSTEMS DID NOT PROVIDE AIR RESERVOIR ISOLATION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS."
Consequence: THE AIR BRAKE RESERVOIR PRESSURE COULD BE DEPLETED, ACTIVATING THE EMERGENCY SPRING BRAKE. WITH THE EMERGENCY SPRING BRAKE DEPLOYED, THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP AND COULD NOT BE MOVED UNTIL THE BRAKE AIR SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE AIR LINE PLUMBING TO INSTALL A CHECK VALVE.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 5, 1999. 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).
2. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. THE AIR BRAKE SYSTEM WAS MANUFACTURED HAVING AIR BRAKE PRESSURE RELEASE TIMES OF APPROXIMATELY 1.5 SECONDS. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS."
What could happen: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN SLIGHT TRAILER BRAKE DRAG AND TIRE SCUFFING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A QUICK RELEASE VALVE IN THE AIR PRESSURE RELEASE SYSTEMS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1997 AEROMAX.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 96V200000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:LOW PRESSURE WARNING:SWITCH
Summary: THE AIR BRAKE SYSTEM WAS MANUFACTURED HAVING AIR BRAKE PRESSURE RELEASE TIMES OF APPROXIMATELY 1.5 SECONDS. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS."
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN SLIGHT TRAILER BRAKE DRAG AND TIRE SCUFFING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A QUICK RELEASE VALVE IN THE AIR PRESSURE RELEASE SYSTEMS.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CHASSIS CAB AND TRUCK TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH EITHER STANDARD TRACTOR PACKAGES OR OPTIONAL TRACTOR PACKAGES OTHER THAN THE UNIPAC TRACTOR PACKAGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DECEMBER 18, 1996. NOTE: 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 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Seat belts (1), Transmission / drivetrain (1), Steering (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (3)
09/18/2006 · Seat belts
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SEAT TURNED SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT. AFTER DRIVING LONG DISTANCES, SLIGHTLY ALTERED VISIBILITY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WAS OBSERVED RESULTING IN MINOR BACK PAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN .
07/18/2000 · Transmission / drivetrain
DRIVER LOST STEERING CONTROL RESULTING IN ACCIDENT, BECAUSE LOWER SHAFT FELL OUT OF U -JOINT FROM BOLT FAILURE. *ET
04/19/1998 · Steering
VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO HAVE FRONT STEERING AXLEWEIGH THAN 11000 LBS, EVEN WHEN EMPTY. THIS PLACES UNDUE STRESS ON STEERING AXLE AND TIRES. WHEN LOADED/1 HOUSEHOLD GOODS, STEERING AXLE WEIGHS BETWEEN 11500 TO OVER 12000 LBS. LEGAL WEIGHT LIMIT IS 12000 LBS.