Recall 18V605 covers 243 2017-2018 Horton Type I and Type Iii ambulances for brake lights that illuminate without braking. Free repair at franchised Horton dealers.
Horton is recalling 243 2017-2018 Type Iii and Type I ambulances because Whelen accessory brake lights can illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. That false brake signal can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk; Horton dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The brake lights on 2017-2018 Horton Type Iii and Type I ambulances tell traffic behind the ambulance that the driver is slowing or stopped. These ambulances are equipped with Whelen accessory brake lights, which are tied into the vehicle's brake-light circuit and are supposed to illuminate only when the brake pedal is pressed.
On affected ambulances, transient voltage on the input line can send the wrong electrical signal through that circuit. Depending on the specific wiring, the accessory brake lights illuminate even though the brake pedal has not been pressed. That gives following traffic a false braking signal and means the lighting system does not meet FMVSS 108 requirements.
There is no warning sign before failure. The brake lights can appear to work during a normal walkaround, then illuminate at the wrong time because the problem is in the electrical signal feeding the light assembly.
Who's affected?
Covers both Horton Type Iii and Type I vehicles from the 2017 and 2018 model years, all involving brake lights.
| 2018 Horton Type Iii | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2017 Horton Type Iii | Brake lights |
| 2017 Horton Type I | Brake lights |
| 2018 Horton Type I | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 243 |
| 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 confuse drivers behind the ambulance and increase the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule the repair soon and use extra caution around traffic until it is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Horton dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 Horton Type Iii or Type I ambulance is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Horton dealer to schedule the free Whelen brake-light replacement that stops the lights from illuminating when the brake pedal is not pressed.
- Bring the owner letter if Horton sent one. If not, reference recall number 18V605 when you call.
- Limit nonessential trips until the repair is complete because the brake lights can illuminate without braking.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Horton technician replaces the affected Whelen accessory brake lights, free of charge. The repair addresses brake lights that can illuminate even when the brake pedal is not pressed, which gives drivers behind the ambulance the wrong signal. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Halcore began the recall on October 16, 2018, and Horton service can confirm that the replacement brake lights match the recall instructions before the ambulance returns to service.
Timeline
| September 11, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 16, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 29, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| October 29, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| October 30, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V605?
Recall 18V605 covers 243 2017-2018 Horton Type Iii and Type I ambulances equipped with Whelen accessory brake lights. The brake 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 Horton Type Iii or Type I is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific ambulance is included in recall 18V605. If it is, contact Horton service or call 1-800-447-0343 to arrange the free brake-light replacement. Reference recall number 18V605 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair to be performed at no cost. For recall 18V605, Whelen replaces the affected accessory brake lights free of charge for included 2017-2018 Horton Type Iii and Type I ambulances.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is driver confusion behind the ambulance. If the accessory brake lights illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed, other drivers can react to a false braking signal, increasing crash risk. The repair replaces the affected brake lights for free.
What if I bought this Horton ambulance used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2017-2018 Horton Type Iii or Type I ambulance is included, then reference recall number 18V605 when you contact Horton service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V605000 |
|---|---|
| Horton customer service | 1-800-447-0343 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V605 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V605000 |
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 →