Recall 18V587 affects 37 2017-2019 Midwest Fire All-Poly Series and Quick Attack emergency vehicles for brake lights that illuminate without braking. Repair is free.
Midwest Fire is recalling 37 2017-2019 All-Poly Series and Quick Attack emergency vehicles with Whelen accessory brake lights that can illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. The defect can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk; Midwest Fire dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The brake lights on 2017-2019 Midwest Fire All-Poly Series and Quick Attack emergency vehicles are exterior warning lights that tell traffic behind the vehicle when the driver is braking. These vehicles use Whelen accessory brake light models 60BTT and M6BTT. Under normal operation, the lights stay off until brake-pedal input tells them to illuminate.
On affected vehicles, Whelen traced the defect to transient voltage on the input line. That voltage creates a false, steady activation signal, so the brake lights illuminate even though the brake pedal has not been pressed. The problem depends on the specific vehicle wiring, but the result is the same: the lights send a braking signal when the vehicle is not actually braking.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first visible sign is the brake lights staying on without brake-pedal input, which a driver is unlikely to notice from inside the cab.
Who's affected?
Both All-Poly Series and Quick Attack trucks are listed for each model year from 2017 through 2019, with brake lights as the component.
| 2017 Midwest Fire All-Poly Series | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2018 Midwest Fire Quick Attack | Brake lights |
| 2018 Midwest Fire All-Poly Series | Brake lights |
| 2019 Midwest Fire Quick Attack | Brake lights |
| 2017 Midwest Fire Quick Attack | Brake lights |
| 2019 Midwest Fire All-Poly Series | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 37 |
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?
Incorrect brake-light illumination can make drivers behind you misread when the vehicle is slowing or stopping, which increases crash risk. If your VIN is included, drive cautiously and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Midwest Fire dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2019 Midwest Fire All-Poly Series or Quick Attack emergency vehicle is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Midwest Fire dealer to schedule the free Whelen brake-light replacement that fixes brake lights that illuminate without brake-pedal input.
- Bring the recall notice if Midwest Fire has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V587 when you call.
- Tell operators that the brake lights can illuminate without brake-pedal input until the replacement is complete.
- Drive with extra following distance until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
During the recall repair, the affected Whelen accessory brake lights are replaced free of charge. A Midwest Fire technician or service representative confirms the recalled brake-light setup, then coordinates replacement of the lights covered by campaign 18V587. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Midwest Fire has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for the same brake-light repair. Ask the service desk or Midwest Fire customer service how to submit repair documentation under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 4, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 10, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| September 14, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 14, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| September 15, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V587?
Recall 18V587 covers 37 2017-2019 Midwest Fire All-Poly Series and Quick Attack emergency vehicles with certain Whelen accessory brake lights. Depending on vehicle wiring, the brake lights can illuminate when the brake pedal is not pressed, confusing other drivers and increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2017-2019 Midwest Fire All-Poly Series or Quick Attack is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific emergency vehicle is included in recall 18V587. If it is, contact Midwest Fire customer service at 1-800-344-2059 and ask how to complete the Whelen brake-light replacement. Reference recall number 18V587 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the defect repair at no cost, and Midwest Fire's remedy states that Whelen will replace the brake lights free of charge. Ask Midwest Fire customer service where the replacement will be handled for your specific vehicle.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is brake-light confusion. If the accessory brake lights illuminate when the brake pedal is not pressed, drivers behind the emergency vehicle can misread whether it is slowing or stopping, increasing crash risk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V587000 |
|---|---|
| Midwest Fire customer service | 1-800-344-2059 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V587 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V587000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →