Recall 12V097 affects 352 2011 Ford F-650 and F-750 trucks for leaking Bendix relay valves. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 352 2011 F-650 and F-750 trucks equipped with Bendix ATR-6 antilock traction relay valves because internal valve leakage in extreme cold can keep the brakes applied. That continuous brake application can overheat the brakes, start a fire, cause loss of control, or leave following drivers without brake-light warning; the Ford dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The Bendix ATR-6 antilock traction relay valve is part of the air-brake system on the 2011 Ford F-650 and F-750. In normal operation, the valve helps route air pressure to the brake system so the truck can apply and release the brakes in a controlled way.
On affected trucks, the valve can develop internal leakage in extremely cold conditions. That leak can send air pressure to the primary or secondary brake circuit when it should not be there. The result is continuous brake application, which means the brakes stay applied instead of releasing as expected.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or driver notices the problem when the brakes do not release normally, the truck feels held back, or brake application continues without the usual pedal input.
Who's affected?
Covers both F-650 and F-750 medium-duty trucks from the same model year, with the same brake system component listed for each.
| 2011 Ford F-650 | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2011 Ford F-750 | brake system |
| Units affected | 352 |
A matching 2011 Ford F-650 or F-750 does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Unexpected continuous brake application can overheat the brakes and lead to a fire. It can also make the driver lose control, increasing crash risk, and it can apply the brakes without brake lights, leaving drivers behind without proper warning. Use extra space from traffic and arrange the recall repair as soon as it is open. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011 Ford F-650 or F-750 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer and ask when the free Bendix ATR-6 traction relay valve kit can be installed.
- Ask for the Bendix ATR-6 traction relay valve kit, the repair for air leakage that can trigger continuous brake application.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one, or reference recall number 12V097 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Stop safely if the brakes drag, overheat, or fail to release.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician installs a Bendix ATR-6 traction relay valve kit. The kit addresses internal leakage in the traction relay valves, which can send air pressure to the brake circuit and hold a brake applied in cold conditions. Ford describes this as a free recall service, with the safety recall beginning on April 12, 2012. Because the remedy status is not marked available in this input, confirm scheduling with a Ford dealer before planning the visit. The dealer repair will be free once available.
Timeline
| March 7, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 12, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V097?
Recall 12V097 covers 352 2011 Ford F-650 and F-750 trucks equipped with Bendix ATR-6 antilock traction relay valves. In extreme cold, internal valve leakage can send air pressure to the primary or secondary brakes and cause continuous brake application. Ford dealers install a Bendix ATR-6 traction relay valve kit for free.
What should I do if my 2011 Ford F-650 or F-750 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 12V097. If it is, call a franchised Ford dealer and ask for the Bendix ATR-6 traction relay valve kit installation. Reference recall number 12V097000 or Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Ford says dealers will install the Bendix ATR-6 traction relay valve kit free of charge. Use a franchised Ford dealer for the recall work.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is continuous brake application without the driver choosing it. Ford says that condition can overheat the brakes and lead to a fire, cause loss of vehicle control, and apply the brakes without brake lights to warn other drivers. The free dealer repair addresses the relay valve defect.
When did the Ford recall repair start?
The safety recall began on April 12, 2012. That means the dealer repair had already opened by that date. If your 2011 Ford F-650 or F-750 is included, ask a franchised Ford dealer to confirm parts and schedule the free valve kit installation.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V097000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-800-392-3673 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V097 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V097000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →