Recall 11V545 affects 346 2009-2012 Hme 1871 fire trucks for unwanted ESC braking. Repair is free at any franchised Hme dealer.
Hme is recalling 346 2009-2012 1871 fire trucks because the electronic stability control system can misread body roll and road inclination, then apply an outer front brake. That intervention can pull the truck from its intended line of travel and increase crash risk; the Hme dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The electronic stability control system on 2009-2012 Hme 1871 fire trucks is built to help keep the truck stable when it senses a loss of control. It reads vehicle motion and steering behavior, then uses the brakes to help correct a slide or oversteer condition. Oversteer means the rear of the truck is rotating farther than intended.
On these trucks, body roll and road slope can confuse the system's slip angle calculation, which is the system's estimate of how the truck is tracking against the driver's intended path. The system can read that condition as oversteer even when the truck is still stable. It then applies the outer front wheel brake until the system believes the truck is stable again.
There is no warning sign before failure. The recall filing does not identify a dash light, sound, or pedal change that appears before the system acts.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 model years for the 1871, all tied to electronic stability control.
| 2009 Hme 1871 | Electronic stability control (esc) |
|---|---|
| 2010 Hme 1871 | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2011 Hme 1871 | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2012 Hme 1871 | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| Units affected | 346 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
During an ESC intervention, a slow driver response can let the vehicle deviate from the intended line of travel, increasing crash risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair promptly and drive with extra attention until it is complete. Repair will be free at any franchised Hme dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2012 Hme 1871 is included in this recall.
- Watch for the Hme owner notice if you do not already have it.
- Contact a franchised Hme dealer to ask about the free ESC control-module replacement that corrects the unwanted brake intervention.
- Reference recall number 11V545 when you call Hme or the dealer.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete and be ready for unexpected ESC braking intervention.
What happens at the repair
Hme's remedy for recall 11V545 calls for replacing the control module at no charge. At the dealer, an Hme technician removes the affected electronic stability control control module and installs the replacement module covered by the recall. The source remedy says the safety recall began on January 19, 2012, but the current remedy status in this input is not marked available. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall.
Timeline
| November 10, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 19, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V545?
Recall 11V545 covers 346 2009-2012 Hme 1871 fire trucks with an electronic stability control problem. Under certain road and driving conditions, the ESC system can misread vehicle movement and apply the outer front axle brake. Hme will replace the control module for free.
What should I do if my 2009-2012 Hme 1871 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific fire truck is included in recall 11V545. If it is, contact Hme service at 1-616-534-1463 and reference recall 11V545. The safety recall began on January 19, 2012, and the control module replacement is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Hme's recall remedy says it will replace the ESC control module free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included vehicles.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is loss of the intended travel path during an ESC intervention. If the driver reacts slowly while the system applies the outer front axle brake, the fire truck can deviate from its intended line of travel, increasing crash risk.
What if I bought the Hme 1871 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific fire truck is included, then contact Hme service with recall number 11V545.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V545000 |
|---|---|
| Hme customer service | 1-616-534-1463 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V545 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V545000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (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 →