Recall 18V602 covers 459 2017-2018 Road Rescue Type I and Type Iii ambulances for incorrect brake-light illumination. Free repair at any franchised Road Rescue dealer.
Road Rescue is recalling 459 2017-2018 Type I and Type Iii ambulances equipped with Whelen accessory brake lights because the lights can illuminate without the brake pedal being pressed. Incorrect brake-light signals can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk, and Road Rescue dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The accessory brake lights on 2017-2018 Road Rescue Type I and Type Iii ambulances are exterior lights that tell traffic behind the ambulance when the driver is braking. On a working vehicle, those lights come on only when the brake pedal is pressed. That signal helps other drivers judge whether the ambulance is slowing or stopping.
On affected ambulances, the Whelen brake-light circuit reacts to transient voltage on the input line. In plain terms, a brief electrical pulse in the wiring can make the accessory brake lights illuminate even though the driver has not touched the brake pedal. That gives following traffic a false braking signal and means the lighting system does not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner, driver, or fleet technician notices the problem only if the accessory brake lights come on when the brake pedal has not been pressed.
Who's affected?
Covers Type I and Type Iii ambulance vehicles across several ambulance nameplates, all using the same brake-light component.
| 2018 Road Rescue Type I | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2018 Marque Type Iii | Brake lights |
| 2018 Mccoy Miller Type I | Brake lights |
| 2017 Mccoy Miller Type I | Brake lights |
| 2017 Marque Type Iii | Brake lights |
| 2018 Marque Type I | Brake lights |
| 2018 Frontline Type I | Brake lights |
| 2018 Wheeled Coach Type Iii | Brake lights |
| 2018 Wheeled Coach Type I | Brake lights |
| 2018 Road Rescue Type Iii | Brake lights |
| 2017 Road Rescue Type I | Brake lights |
| 2017 Mccoy Miller Type Iii | Brake lights |
| 2018 Mccoy Miller Type Iii | Brake lights |
| 2017 Wheeled Coach Type Iii | Brake lights |
| 2017 Wheeled Coach Type I | Brake lights |
| 2017 Road Rescue Type Iii | Brake lights |
| 2017 Frontline Type I | Brake lights |
| 2018 Frontline Type Iii | Brake lights |
| 2017 Frontline Type Iii | Brake lights |
| 2017 Marque Type I | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 459 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Brake lights that illuminate at the wrong time can make nearby drivers misread when the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing crash risk. If your VIN is included, drive cautiously and schedule the brake-light replacement. Repair is free at any franchised Road Rescue dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 Road Rescue Type I or Type Iii ambulance is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Road Rescue dealer to schedule the free brake-light replacement that stops the accessory brake lights from illuminating without brake-pedal input.
- Bring the recall notice if you received one, and reference recall number 18V602 when you call.
- Call Road Rescue customer service at 1-855-661-9232 with questions about the Whelen brake-light repair.
- Drive with extra spacing until the repair is complete, since incorrect brake-light illumination can confuse other drivers.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Road Rescue technician coordinates replacement of the Whelen accessory brake lights so they work only as brake lights should. The replacement is free under recall 18V602, with parts and labor covered. Road Rescue has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a repair tied to this brake-light condition. Bring documented repair paperwork to the service desk and ask how to submit it under the reimbursement plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 8, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 19, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 29, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| October 29, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V602?
Recall 18V602 covers 459 2017-2018 Road Rescue Type I and Type Iii ambulances equipped with Whelen accessory brake lights. The lights can illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed, which can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk. Whelen will replace the brake lights for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Road Rescue Type I or Type Iii ambulance is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific ambulance is included in recall 18V602. If it is, contact a franchised Road Rescue dealer or REV customer service at 1-855-661-9232 to arrange the Whelen brake-light replacement. Reference recall number 18V602 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 18V602, Whelen will replace the affected accessory brake lights free of charge, and the remedy has been available since the recall began on October 19, 2018.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is driver confusion behind the ambulance. If the accessory brake lights illuminate when the brake pedal is not pressed, following drivers can misread the ambulance's movement and braking, increasing crash risk. The repair replaces the affected brake lights.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V602000 |
|---|---|
| Road Rescue customer service | 1-855-661-9232 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V602 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V602000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →