Recall 16V625 covers 351 2013-2016 Horton Ambulance vehicles for a Cool-Tech condenser controller short-circuit fire risk. Repair is free at any franchised Horton Ambulance dealer.
Horton Ambulance is recalling 351 2013-2016 ambulances, including models 453, 457, 503, 553, 603, 623, and Change Over, because the Cool-Tech air-conditioning condenser controller wire harness was improperly sealed. Water can enter the controller housing, short circuit the controller, and raise the risk of an electrical fire; Horton Ambulance dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The Cool-Tech air-conditioning condenser fan controller on 2013-2016 Horton Ambulance vehicles manages the fans for the exterior AC condenser. Those fans pull air across the condenser so the ambulance body AC system can shed heat and keep cooling. The controller and its wire harness need a weather-tight housing because they sit where water exposure is expected.
On the affected 453, 457, 503, 553, 603, 623, and Change Over models, the wire harness seal does not keep water out of the controller housing. When enough water gets inside, the controller electronics short circuit. That short can overheat the controller and damage the exterior AC housing, with smoke or fire damage reported in the recall history.
Owners or fleet staff can notice the condenser fans running erratically or running continuously when they should cycle on and off. Treat that behavior as a warning sign that water has reached the controller or the fan control circuit is failing.
Who's affected?
Spans 7 Horton Ambulance models across the 2013-2016 model years, with the same air conditioner component named for each model.
| 2015 Horton Ambulance 453 | Air conditioner |
|---|---|
| 2013 Horton Ambulance 457 | Air conditioner |
| 2014 Horton Ambulance 457 | Air conditioner |
| 2015 Horton Ambulance 457 | Air conditioner |
| 2013 Horton Ambulance Change Over | Air conditioner |
| 2014 Horton Ambulance Change Over | Air conditioner |
| 2014 Horton Ambulance 623 | Air conditioner |
| 2015 Horton Ambulance 603 | Air conditioner |
| 2013 Horton Ambulance 553 | Air conditioner |
| 2016 Horton Ambulance 553 | Air conditioner |
| 2016 Horton Ambulance 503 | Air conditioner |
| 2015 Horton Ambulance Change Over | Air conditioner |
| 2016 Horton Ambulance Change Over | Air conditioner |
| 2016 Horton Ambulance 457 | Air conditioner |
| 2015 Horton Ambulance 503 | Air conditioner |
| 2013 Horton Ambulance 453 | Air conditioner |
| 2014 Horton Ambulance 453 | Air conditioner |
| 2016 Horton Ambulance 453 | Air conditioner |
| 2015 Horton Ambulance 623 | Air conditioner |
| 2013 Horton Ambulance 503 | Air conditioner |
| 2016 Horton Ambulance 623 | Air conditioner |
| 2013 Horton Ambulance 603 | Air conditioner |
| 2014 Horton Ambulance 603 | Air conditioner |
| 2016 Horton Ambulance 603 | Air conditioner |
| 2014 Horton Ambulance 553 | Air conditioner |
| 2015 Horton Ambulance 553 | Air conditioner |
| 2013 Horton Ambulance 623 | Air conditioner |
| 2014 Horton Ambulance 503 | Air conditioner |
| Units affected | 351 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 4 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and Horton Ambulance model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Water inside the controller housing can short circuit the controller and increase the risk of an electrical fire. Erratic operation or condenser fans that keep running are warning signs; schedule the repair soon if you notice either one. Repair is free at any franchised Horton Ambulance dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2016 Horton Ambulance 453, 457, Change Over, 623, 603, 553, or 503 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Horton Ambulance dealer to schedule the free Cool-Tech condenser fan controller assembly replacement that fixes the water-intrusion short-circuit risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Horton Ambulance mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V625 when you call.
- Operate the ambulance only as needed until the repair is complete, because water in the controller housing can short circuit and raise fire risk.
- Call Horton Ambulance customer service at 1-614-317-9856 with questions about scheduling or repair status.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Horton Ambulance technician replaces the Cool-Tech condenser fan controller assembly. The work addresses the controller and wire-harness area where water can enter the controller housing. The replacement parts and labor are free under recall 16V625. Horton Ambulance has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for this repair before the recall work was completed. Keep repair invoices and contact Horton customer service to ask how documented expenses are handled.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 24, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| August 26, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| August 26, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 29, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| October 26, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V625?
Recall 16V625 covers 351 2013-2016 Horton Ambulance 453, 457, 503, 553, 603, 623, and Change Over ambulances with an improperly sealed Cool-Tech air-conditioning condenser controller wire harness. Water can enter the controller housing, short the controller, and increase the risk of an electrical fire.
What should I do if my 2013-2016 Horton Ambulance 453, 457, 503, 553, 603, 623, or Change Over is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific ambulance is included in recall 16V625. If it is, contact a franchised Horton Ambulance service location to schedule replacement of the Cool-Tech condenser fan controller assembly. Reference recall number 16V625 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 16V625, Horton Ambulance service locations replace the Cool-Tech condenser fan controller assembly free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V625?
The safety risk is an electrical fire. NHTSA campaign 16V625 says water can enter the Cool-Tech condenser controller housing through the improperly sealed wire harness, short the controller, and increase fire risk. The repair replaces the affected controller assembly for free.
What if I bought the Horton Ambulance used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2013-2016 Horton Ambulance is included, then reference recall 16V625 when you contact a Horton Ambulance service location.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V625000 |
|---|---|
| Horton Ambulance customer service | 1-614-317-9856 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V625 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V625000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →