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Ford F-550 emergency trucks had false brake lights

NHTSA campaign 19V251000 · Reported 2019-03-28 · Fire Equipment Sales & Service

medium How serious is it? About this label

Moderate and largely resolved: false brake lights can confuse following drivers and lead to a crash, but the trucks were drivable and the lights have already been replaced.

What's wrong, in plain English

Fire Equipment Sales & Service built two emergency vehicles, a brush truck and a tanker, on a Ford F-550 chassis using Whelen brake lights that were already recalled. Depending on how the truck was wired, the brake lights could light up even when nobody had pressed the brake pedal. Drivers behind the truck then cannot tell when it is really slowing down. FES has already contacted the owners and replaced the brake lights at no cost.

What you should do

1. Enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm whether this repair is recorded as complete. 2. If it is still open, call FES at 1-803-494-6000 or Whelen at 1-860-718-2331. 3. The replacement brake lights are free of charge.

Affected vehicles (1)

2018 Ford F-550

Who to contact

Ford — official Ford recall lookup

Customer service: 1-866-436-7332

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Ford exterior lighting recalls: headlights, tail lights and brake lights · all 26 Ford recalls in this area

Official notice

Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
Summary: Fire Equipment Sales & Service (FES) is recalling one Super C Brush emergency vehicle and one Tanker emergency vehicle equipped with Whelen brake lights recalled under 18E-063. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.
Safety risk: If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: FES has already notified owners, and replaced the brake lights, free of charge. Owners may contact FES customer service at 1-803-494-6000 or Whelen customer service at 1-860-718-2331.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.