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RAM 5500 Minuteman Brake Lights Turn On Wrongly

NHTSA campaign 19V255000 · Reported Mar 28, 2019 · Blanchat Mfg., Inc.

medium How serious is it? About this label

Brake lights turning on when they shouldn't can confuse other drivers and possibly increase the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	19V255000
Reported to NHTSA	Mar 28, 2019
Manufacturer	Blanchat Mfg., Inc.
Part affected	Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
Vehicles covered	1 model/year combination, model years 2018
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

This recall covers a vehicle built on a RAM 5500 truck chassis and fitted with Whelen brake lights that were already recalled once before. Depending on how the brake lights are wired on this vehicle, they may turn on even though the driver has not pressed the brake pedal.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2. Contact Blanchat customer service at 1-620-896-7145. 3. The brake lights will be replaced free of charge.

Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?

Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 19V255000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (1)

2018 RAM 5500

Who to contact

RAM — official RAM recall lookup

Customer service: 1-800-853-1403

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

Ram Exterior Lighting Recalls: Turn Signal and Brake Light Problems · all 5 RAM recalls in this area

Other RAM 5500 recalls

Apr 9, 2026Ram Trucks Instrument Panel Display Failurehigh
Feb 2, 2026Jeep And Ram Trailer Tow Module Failurehigh
Dec 18, 2025Ram 3500, 5500 trucks: airbag and stability flawcritical
Dec 1, 2025Ram 3500, 5500 Instrument Cluster Display Failurehigh
Nov 6, 2025Ram Trucks: Driver's Air Bag May Not Deployhigh
Nov 27, 2024Ram Trucks Brake Control Unit May Failhigh

All 27 5500 recalls

Official notice

Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
Summary: Blanchat Mfg., Inc. (Blanchat) is recalling one 2018 B-27 Minuteman vehicle built on a RAM 5500 chassis and 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: Blanchat has notified the owner, and will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began March 27, 2019. Owners may contact Blanchat customer service at 1-620-896-7145.

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