1991 Ford F-53

Defect. BRAKE LINES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ARE ROUTED TOO NEAR THE LEFT EXHAUST MANIFOLD, CAUSING THE BRAKE FLUID TO OVERHEAT.

Risk. BRAKE FLUID LOSES VISCOSITY WHEN IT OVERHEATS, CAUSINGLOSS OF BRAKES OR INCREASED VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN ANACCIDENT.

Remedy. FORD WILL INSTALL A HEAT SHIELD AND BRAKE LINE INSULATION ON ENGINE COMPARTMENT BRAKE LINES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD WINNEBAGO F-53 CHASSIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE DELAYED TO STOP AND ALMOST RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,542.

I HAVE A SEVERE BREAK FADING PROBLEM. I HAPPENS AFTER YOU HAVE DESCENDED A STEEP DOWNGRADE AND STOP. AT THAT POINT THE BREAK PEDAL GOES COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. AFTER A RESTING PERIOD THE PEDAL COMES BACK AGAIN. FORD HAS TOLD ME THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH MY 1991 M53, 50,000 MILES, IS TO DO A $2,500.00 TO $3,000.00 OVERHAUL OF THE BREAK SYSTEM USING PHONELIC PARTS. I FEEL IF AN EXTENSIVE OVERHAUL IS REQUIRED AT THIS POINT, IT WAS A SYSTEM DESIGNED TO FAIL. A SYSTEM DEFECT. THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE COST THE LIFE OF MY WIFE AND TWO OF MY GRANDCHILDREN AND MYSELF. I HAVE BEEN RESTRICTED TO DRIVING ON FLATLAND EVER SINCE THIS INSTANCE ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO GET AN ANSWER OR A CORRECTION BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO HAVE ONE EXCEPT $2,500- $3,000. I FEEL FORD HAS A RESPONSIBILITY HERE AND SHOULD PAY ALL OR A SUBSTANTIAL PART OF THE CORRECTION OF THEIR DESIGN ERROR. *NLM